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REYNOLDS HISTORICAL
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
4
fTL
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
3 1833 00725 7956
HISTORY
OF
THE QUEEN'S COUNTY
BY vr )
V. Rkv. JOHN CANON O'lIANLON, P.P., M.R.I.A,
AND
Rl^V. HDWARl) O'LHARY, WW
VOLUMI^ I
ISTORY Ol- TllK TERRITORY V\10^\ THK
KARLIlvST TIMES TILL IT WAS MADl^
oui-:i':x's county, i^y act of
PARLIAMICNT, IN i55r..
urn I ILLUSTRATIONS AND MAPS
ID u b I i u :
S K A L Y , B R Y E R S & W A L K E R
MIDDLE ABISKV STRKKT
1907
./// ri-ii/s rewrved.
11
7
HISTORY
OF
THE QUKMN'S COUNTY.
VOL. I,
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uEEX's County.
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SEALV, liRVKKS AND WALKE
MiDDij-. Ar.i;i:v sti<f.i;t,
.DUBLIN.
;Ui1Gn7
P R E F A C E
AIanv }'cars Iia\'c now passed since tlie pr()ject. of writin;^ tlie 1 listory
oftlie Queen's C(iunt_\- was seriouslx-entertained. ]^ut altlioug'h materials
for a work of tliis kind hail been collected and prepared at intervals
b}^ the Author, other literar)' en^ai^^enients and still more pressing
occupations prevetited the accomplishment of such a task and almost
precluded the hope of time and opportunic)' bemg afforded to
complete it. Not alone was it required to glean from manuscript and
printed sciurces those rec()rds which serve to illustrate the subject
and to arrange the topics and chronological sequence of events in a
s)'stematic form, but it was found to be most desirable to examine
and describe those monuments remaining — man)' from a pre-historic
[period — that the arch.eological problems of each locality might have
a more scientilic distinctness for the consideration of antiquaries.
This independent investigation has been made at various times, and
with the greatest exactness within the power (jf the author.
]^ersonall\' and at frequent intervals its uKjnuments remaining in
their varii)us localities have been examined and described, as also
sketched on the spot.
The want for a IIist(jr/of the Queen's ('(junty has long been
complained of, and fearing tliat no more competent person was likely
to engage on the labour and research requisite to su[)[.>l\' that deficiency,
the i^resent writer for man\- past years had conceived the project of
collecting and procuring materials for the pre[xu-ation of such a
work'. A native of the count)' himself, and familiar from birth with
its scenes, people, and associations, the subject had f(jr him an interest
altogether special, and oi)portunities were affcjrdcd by a long-continued
residence in and near IJublin for constant and read)- access to all its
public libraries. J'Tom their numerous manuscript and printed
sources have been gleaned the records and information that mainl)-
serve to illustrate its archccology, topograph)', and clironological
Vl I'Kl^KACI-:
sequence of events, from the earliest l-:no\\n peril id clown to the
present day.
To render the study of topoc^-raphy and archaeology interesting
and satisfactory to the general reader, it is necessary to present fairly
accurate maps of ancient territorial divisions in connection with the
natural features of a localit)- where no material changes of depression
or elevation have occurred — at least within historic times. This task
lias been accomyjlished in the present histor\' ol the Oueen's County.
Before the close ^A' tlie fourteenth centur)- sufficient dcscrii)tions of
tlistricts have been furnished to determine the chief boundaries of the
tribe lands at that jieriod. Accordingl)- a ma() has been prepared to
show their relative situations, and drawn t(» a scale in its general
outlines, which corresponds with the measurements on the Ordnance
Survey maps. And as those tribe lands are not known t(.) have
greatl}' changed their bounds for man\' centuries pi,^evioiis to that
time, so ma\' we reasonabl)' C(jnclude they preser\-e a fairly correct rejjre-
sentation of the ancient Irish tricha-ced or cantred, which has been
obscured or \'aried C(jnsiderably in the modern distribution of local
denominations.
The different topics introduced are treated as far as possible in a
natural sequence and with scientific arrangement, and the author has been
fortunate to secure for his assistants in the Natural Ilistor)' Di\'ision
gentlemen of the highest scientific and scholarl)' attainments, to wh(nn
respectively he has the honour of acknowledging his deej) obligations.
Among those he particularl)' desires to distinguish are the following in
the Division of Natural I listory :— the late Mr. Joseph W O'Reilly,
M.R.I. A., and formerly Secretary to the College of Science, Dublin ; I\Tr.
Alexander M'llenry, Geological Survey u{ Ireland; Dr. lulward
Perceval Wright, M.R.I. A., formerlx' J'rofessor of J-Jotan)- in Trinity
College, Dublin; Mr. Robert Llo>d Praeger, M.R.I. A., Assistant
Librarian in the National Library of Ireland ; Dr. Robert \\ Scharff,
B.Sc, Keeper of the Natural History Collections in the Science and
Art Museum, Kildare Street, Dublin ; Mr. Arthur M'.ALUion, Colt Stud
Farm, Abbeyleix ; and Mr. James A. Mulhall, Pass House, Maryborough.
Without the co-operation of these gentlemen, so eminent in their various
walks of science, the Natural I listory section of this work could not
have been well untlertaken and accomplished by the i)resent writer,
owing to his deficienc)' of knowledge for the treatment of these
special subjects. In this connection also his acknowledgments are
i'i;i:i"A(-t;
Vll
<ii:r .lU'l ;.ralefiill_\- U-iidcrcil lu Dr. Tatrick W. jnyce, M.R.I. A., and Mr.
I'.ilrii.k ()'K\aii tor lludr a^-sihlaiicc in <lcfinin;_; tlic derivation and
nu.Miiiii.; "\ \:'\>h naino of ])lac(js in the count)' an.d the Irish
Maim;-' ;.;i\'n in t)M!.an\' to trees and sliruhs, as lil<;e\vise to animals
under t!ie liead < .i '/.'^"Irj^y.
In ti'.e l•■.ecI(■■>ia^tieal, Dioce-^.m, and Parochial 1 1 ist<3r\' those local
in. !<ifn'o alone are nventie)ned that have special reference to these
tli'i i-i.'n . , other jjarticulars that ha\'c a i^eneral application to more
inr^-rtanl e\e!its are reserved for the subsequent narrative. Under
:h'- paridies are included nearl)- all that refers to their condition,
"r,;ani/.atioii, description, townland denominations, chief [)laces and
ohjciN of interest, e^])eciall)' their ecclesiastical and civil arran^^e-
nvnl->. h'or further details the reader is referred to the Right Rev.
JM-hop C'omerford's \aluable work, "Collecticjns relating to the
Oiocese-^ of Kildare and Leighlin," which contains a great amount
of .iddiiioual and valuable information, and to the waluablc and
«;\Iiauslive work of the V. Rev. \V. Carrigan, DA)., " The Mistory and
Anliijuities of the I )iocese of Ossory." " ddie (ieneral View of the
A;.,ri' uiinre ,i!.d Manufictures of the Queen's Count)'," by Sir
< Ii..r!c. i'<,'>[r Hart., compiled at the instcmce ^A the Dublin Society,
!■> oj' ur.d' 'ubled autiioritN' on the-^e particular subjects towards the
clo-.c "f iiu- ciglueenth and beginning of the nineteenth century ; but
t!i(.: h!^t'.:i<al milter is defecti\'e and s(jmetimes inaccurate. It
tlirows !;);;c!i light, however, on the s(.»cial state of the various classes
ol' mli.i'ui.uils at the period in question. I'he biograi^hical sketch of
U.r bi- 1. .p> an 1 the account of diocesan affairs is necessaril)' much
.d»l»r<;'.ialed. a> otherwise this work should be enlarged to undue
pri'porli •!,•. N'ct the sources for ku-ther investigation are generally
.tlUuicd lo ill ti)e notes.
J. CAXON O'MANLON.
M. M.\KV'>. .>i\K Ol nil-. .^l.A,
.•-^ \N n^M< >rN i,
1 Xi.i.ix.
After a long life of intellectual labour the venerable author was,
at its clo-,e. but midwa)' through the [M'eseut W(jrk. hdlled with
appn-liendoii f,)!- its future comi)letion, he made an apjieal tome for
liclp, grounding his claim on a lifelong friendship. The circumstances
Vlll PRKl ACE
were sufficientl}' touching to oblij^e mc to accept the respoiisibiHty
which ni_\' friend laid upon mc, and take up the work where he laid it
down. J5ut it was the fear alone that his labours should remain
unfinished which could induce me to undertake such a i;rave oblii^a-
tion, unequipped as I was for such a tasl-:. h'or the rest I can trul\'
say that I have endeavoured to carr)' out the work in complete
harmon\' with the views of the author, and in strict obedience to the
instructions which he communicated from his death bed.
A second map has been pro\'ided for the w(_)rk — an exact co[)}' (j.
the rare and ancient maj) of Leix and ( )fral)\ n(jw preserved in the
]h-itish Museum. It is hoiked that this will prove hel[3ful to the
student, and also that the illustrations scattered thrtai^^h the work
will assist him to form a C()rrect idea of the historical remain.s existing
in the count}'.
With all diffidence I beg to present to the readepCanon O'Hanlon's
History of the Queen's County.
E. O'LEARY.
St IMiciiakl's, Portarlington,
Alliens/, 1907.
C O N T E N T S
BOOK I.— NATURAL HISTORY,
CORRIOnNDA.
f^'- 3.
line ]()
, for '
lO
,, -y.
,,
■• 23
3.
,, "
27
8,
,,
34
., 30.
,,
34
,. 31,
omit
95
4'
read
1 10
II,
for "
., 150
., 18,
,,
.. 17Q
,. 10,
,,
.. 222
9,
,, "
., 285
4,
,, "
.. 303
5.
,,
-> 353
,, 15.
omit
38.:
„ 25,
for "
.. 3^)0
,, 14.
after
.. 105
" 3i'
omit
IX.
X.
XI.
XII.
XIII.
XIY.
XV.
XVI.
XVII.
X\III.
XIX.
XX.
XXI.
XXTT
XXIII.
XXIV.
XXV.
imiiii'ivl.im.
Shreiil " read " Slirule."
nislies " read " Ivuslies."
as " read " tliou^di."
Diinro]l\' " re;id " Diinrallv."
had " read " ha\'e."
" were."
to " after " sujiposed."
' coiniuendom " read
' ever " read " even."
race " read " trace."
' anentire " read " an entire."
Ei)hraims " read " R]4n':iim."
' Ballylchane " read " Ball vl.li.im
anil " after " foun(ler>."
Leixy " read " Leix."
ehar,L;e " read " of."
for " afler " ] >i rp.ii ed."
ac;e
1
4
14
20
-4
28
35
45
54
61
<^3
(■')(')
81
. HISTORY.
Att.\n.V(;ii, I'ari.sii of
Ballvad.\ms, Parish of
Ballykoan, Parish of
BoRDWELL, Parish of
Borris, Parish of
Castlf-brack, Parish of
Clonenagh and Ci.onaghei
Parishes of
CLOYDAL-.H, Parish of
Cooi.ranac.her, Parish of
C.'ooLKiuHo , Parish of
Curraclone or Corclonic, p.'
donaghmore, parish of..
DuRRow, Parish of
Dysart Enos, Parish of
Dysert Galen, Parish of
Erkic 01^ I'.iKKi;, Parish of
EOSSV OR TlM.MIOE, PARISH
90
93
117
13"
149
156
176
178
180
181
186
190
191
198
200
2X6
218
224
225
227
231
230
CORRIGENDA.
}-.\
\ V ■ ^ ,
Inn
If
- ?
„
^,
-V
••
s,
4.
I Ci 1
1-"=,
9,
' *
-4-
5 y J
,,
-5.
s't)
••
'4
33
, for " Shrcul " read " Sl>nilt.'."
,, " rushes " read " Kuslit-s." ^
,, " as " read " tliou^di."
,, " Duiirolly " re;id " Dinirallv."
,, " luid " read " have."
omit " were,"
read "to" after "supposed."
for " comiuendom " read " coniuiendani.
e\'er " read " even."
race " reatl " trace."
auentire " read " an entire."
Ej)liraims " read " [^)iliraini."
Ballylehane " read " IS.dlylclune."
(jniit " antl " after " founcU'i'-."
for " Leix}' " read " Leix."
alter " charge " reail " ol."
omit " lor " after " pie]i.ired."
C O iN T E N T S
BOOK I.— NATURAL HISTORY.
CiiAiTER Vac.e
1. — Geography, Boi'ndakii s, Exti;nt and Divisions . . i
II. — CiEOLOtiY, Minerals, 1'al.eontoi.ogy and I>"ossils . . 4
I[l. — Climate, Si3IL, Suri-ace, Boc.s, Eskers, Ali.un'ial Teats,
Scenery and Natl'ral Curiosities .. .. 14
IV. — Mountains and Miles .. .. .. .. 20
V. — Rivers, Bakes and Water Courses .. .. .. 24
\T. — Botany — Trees and Shrues .. .. .. .. 2.S
VII. — I30TANY — Flora .. .. .. .. .. 35
VIII. — Zoology, Fauna — \Vild Animals .. .. .. jS
IX. — Zoology, Fau.na — Domesticated Animals * .. .. 45
BOOK IF— ANTIQUARIAN AND PAGAN HISTORY.
I. — Monumi;nts and Antiquities . . . . . . . . 54
II. — Local L1',gends of the I're-IIi.->toric Period . . . . Oi
III. — Ancient Clanships, Land Deno.minations and Old Roads 63
IV. — Ancient Tribes and Tribal Divisions . . . . . . G(^
V. — Pagan Incidents of Queen's County History .. .. 81
BOOK III.— ECCLESIASTICAL, DIOCESAN AND PAROCHIAL HISTORY.
I. — Early Bishops and Sees Within the Queen's County
and Subsequent Ecclesiastical Distributions . . 90
IF — The Queen's County Portion of Kildare Diocese 93
HI. — The Queen's County Portion of Leighlin Diocese .. 117
IV. — The Queen's County Portion of Ossory Diocese .. 130
V. — Parochial Divisions : Abueylei.x, Parish of . . . . 149
VI. ,, ,, ■ Aghaboi:, Parish of .. .. 156
VII. ,, ,, AUGHMACART, PARISH OF .. 1/6
VIII. ,, ,, Ardica OR Arpri.a, Parish of 17S
IX. ,, ,, Attanagh, Parish of .. .. 180
X. ,, ,, Bally.\dams, Parish of . . .. 181
XL ,, ,, • Ballyroan, Parish of . . .. 1S6
XII. ,, ,, Bordwell, Parish of . . . . 190
XIII. ,, ,, BoRRis, Parish of . . . . 191
XIV. ,, , Castlebrack, Parish of . . 198
XV. ,, ,, Clonenagii and Clonagheen,
Parishes of . . . . 200
XVF ,, ,, Cloydagh, Parish of . . . . 216
XVII. ,, ,, Coolbanagher, Parish of . . 21S
XVIII. ,. .. Cll(lLKl:RI;^ , Parish of .. .. 222
XIX. ,, ,, t.'uRRACLONE or CoRCLONi', Parish OF 222
XX. ,, ,, DONAGHMORE, PaRISII OF.. .. 224
XXI. ,, ,, DURROW, Parish of .. 225
XXTI. ,, ,, Dysart Enos, Parish of . . 227
XXIIF ,, ,, Dysert Galen, Parish of .. 231
XXIV. ,, ,, Erke or ICiRKE, Parish of . . 23(3
XXV. ,, .. FOSSY OR TlMAIIOE, PARISH OF .. 237
CONTENTS
XXVI.
XX\ II.
-Parochial Divisiuns
Page
KiLCOLMANliANH, PARISH OK . . J44
KiLCOLM.ANUKACK OR CrE.MORGAN ,
Parish of . . . . . . 246
killabban, parish or . . . . 247
KiLUHLLiG, Parish of . . . . 252
KiLLENNY, Parish of . . . . 254
KiLLEKMOGH, PARISH OF .. 255
KiLLESHiN, Parish of . . . . ' 2'^j
KiLMANMAN, PaRISH OF . . . . 200
KiLTEAL, Parish oi' . . . . 269
Kyle of Clonfert IMolua, Parish of 277
Lea, Parish of . . . . 280
^Monksgrange, Parish of . . 2S9
MoYANNA, Parish of . . . . 291
Offerlane, ]\\rish of . . . . 294
Rathaspick, Parish of . . . . 300
Rathdowney, Parish of . . 304
Rathsaran, Parish of . . . . 30-,
Rearymore or Rer'i'more, Parish of 306
ROSCONNELL, PaRISII OF . . 30:^
RosENALi.is, Parish of . . . . 309
Shrule, Parish of .. .. 314
Skirk or Skeirke, Parish of .. 310
Sleaty or Sletty, Parish of . . 317
Straboe, Parish of .. « .. 321
Stradbally, Parish of . . . . 323
Tankardstown, Parish of . . 336
Tecolm, Parish of . . . . ^li?
Timogue, Parish of . . . . 33S
Tullovvmoy, Parish of . . . . 340
BOOK IV.— GEXERAL HISTORY
I.
— Annai.s
OF
THE
11.
.\XNAI.S
OF
THE
III.
— .Vnn'als
OF
THE
IV.
.'VNKAT.S
OF
THE
V.
— Ankals
OF
THE
VI.
— Annai.s
OF
THE
vn.
— Annai s
OF
Tllli
\ni.
.\NNA!,S
or
THI'-.
IX
— Annai.s
OF
r 1 1 !•;
X
— Annai.s
OF
THE
XT.
— Annals
OF
THE
Xll
— Annals
OF
THE
XIII
— Annals
OF
THIC
XIV
— Annals
OF
THE
Fifth, Sixth and Seventh Clntur
RiGHTH and Ninth Centuries
Tenth Centcky.
Elevf.nth Centi'ry
Twelfth Ci':ntur\'
Thirteenth Century
FOI'RTEEN'TH CliNTIMiY, 1300 TO I 3;
FOUKTICENTH Ci;NTI'RY, 1350 Tfl 1401
I'"ii'"Ti';i:.NTii (TiNTURY, 140010 144S .
Fifteenth Century, 1449 to 1500 .
Sixteenth Century, 1500 to 1547 .
Sixteenth Century, 1547-S
Sixteenth Century, 1549-1552
Sixteenth Century, 1553-1557
344
,v^4
^cio
30 S
404
411
420
426
43^
43 5
LIST in- ILLL'STRATIUNS.
I III N'oHJ ^T PiKkfuv
1 iij V.^. >. 'ii I>iN,\M \*i:
i MS. \ %-.■•• Mam. IK
I ((> !>«' H's \i T \i;
l!r-!(,)l <)'1>1 I \NV's TdMli, JlKIlilNT AliHr.V
Mil m,m; \\ O'MuOKKs TuMii AT .\i;i!i:vf.i;ix
\.,i(\:'.<; (Am II. ST Pauish Ciipkch, Kimns, Ai'.bev CnuKrn,
I'k! I w's CuAi'i :
A'.i' v!'.'ii. (I'ki>m I.I ii\'.I(1i"s .1 ).'/;;/;(.'//c <. kSu4)
I 111. < K J .-. \wllAl.nI.
\s.t!". I <'Mri.:cii 'I (IV, 11-. A'.llAl'.dl
!».. a:-,\ \v '>:■ < una 11 Tuv.iK, A(.n\r.oi-:
\m vv :'.:■■ \',t}L\\'-. < !i Ml I. Hid-.'. Ai;i;r.v Cini;! ii
A . I { :■ V . \ SI :
Jvi- \t •,:•.,! VI !';■:■ •.i;v
1 »>3 !i- • •. 1 N N'l -a V!I M
^! tt •.!••' 'I .,kr
}{i i'»t» !) < V :: J J V \, K t nrivi II
'••::r < f • *• ;i ! ;•>» V* K ('avti i:
>: I :-i ;*•.'•»< lit K<:!!. <i '>%< va(,ii
<«:it i» \ t < • :; I
t, t ■ / V : ! V • . i« C H r K i H
< 1 »« >.■ I (r^r. rurtK If
( < -.: ji 1*. *.,M» w C'\sTil
i'.vi: m*. i..tii »' ("iicia 11
J »\ •.«»:!!•.<.>. ('ini;(!i
In •» '.» : 1. v: : » ■. < ir ;-u ;i
riwAiioi
15^1 t,Vt % '> \N <"lMKCl(
Vni.s <H!iun (Tjs \i riNir.s)
Ki'. ! Si I'^N Cm Kill
KmiMUN I>(K>>-.VAV
K:t V %SM \s CniKMi
♦ ■(>KHIf,!I N
K'.'.i y^\ ( iii.Kt II
Km tiki •in kcii
Km MlkKAY ('llIK( H
( \iii!t-NAc;>)r)'i i.'s ll'irsi;
■~ I, M'! •■a\ CfHAVI,
Pagi;
-^5
-5
56
15-
156
159
159
166
] 06
I (j('
176
ijr,
1S2
1S2
199
199
209
209
217
217
221
221
232
-37
-i7
25S
258
2b7
267
26g
269
-7 3
27 S
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
Site of St. jNIolua's Arbey
Lea Church
Lea Castle from the East
B.ALLY.ADDAN ChURCH FROM THE EaST
Ballvaddan Church from the South
Tierhogar Church
Cloneyhurke ('asti.e and Church
Monksgrange Church
Monyanna Church and Graveyaud
DuNRALLY Fort
P.kidge icrectkd i;Y James, son of IIfxrv C.rattan,
Harrow
St. Kavan's W'eel and Stone, Anatrim
Ancient Stone-roofed Building in Anatrim Churchy
Barony Church, Lisdowney
Churchtown Church, South \'ie\v
Site of St. Kieran's "Monastery. Errill
Errill Cross
Errill Church from South-west
Rearymore Church
St. Finian's Well
ROSCONNELL ChURCH
The Moate of Skirkf.
Sleaty Cross
Straboe Church
Ougiiicval, Stradf.ally
Tankardstown Church
Tecolm Church
Clopook Church
PAGE
278
2S2
2S2
287
2S7
2SS
2SS
2()0
290
-93
-93
296
296
297
297
207
30^
305
307
307
316
316
3-0
320
3-4
3-^4
34-
34^
HISTORY 01^ TIIH QIMIKS COUNTY.
HOOK I.— NATURAL HISTORY.
iHAr ri-'.R I.— Gkogkapiiv, I^oundaries, Extent and
Divisions.
Tut yu->i:nl Oncfirs (^ounty is inland, bounded on the north by
tJ.r Kinj:'s County, and largely by the River Barrow, along that line ;
«•:» ! !k- iMst, tlif- ^anic ri\'er also separates it from the County of
KsM-irc, ••\c-«-i)i in a small north-eastern portion, where that county
|':«»?nj(li'd iH-y.tnd it towards the west ; still lower, on the east and south-
east, i". till- County of Carlow, lieyond the River Barrow ; on the south,
»l b K>und«<! by the County of Kilkenny ; while on the west, the County
"l lijvjMi.uy lies towards its south-western line, and the King's
County more iviithorniy bounds it — the range of Slieve Blocm
>!-ns!;!.Kns s;><.'cially marking the latter di\'ision as a natural boundary.
Thr OiuH-n\ County extends from 52^^ 45" to 53° 13" north latitude,
•irxi It u.\> li' s from d"" 54" to j''' 47" west longitude from Greenwich
o}r,rr".'.itory.' As in the ancient times of Leix and Offally, so at
jvrr'si-iit, tl.i- loniity i- attached to the province of Leinster.
Thr •'li-ijic (tf this entire district is very compact and regular ;
|}i« ra>{, M.uth and west boundary lines being nearly equal to one
4mjth«'T, w!iil«- the north line is considerably smaller— thus presenting
llirr Ji^'UTc of an irregular square. The longest straight line, that
«4nJ«' duxwn within its limits, extends 36^ miles south-westward;
l!*<; n<-\t K)ni,'c>t extends 35I miles south-eastward ; the longest that
rjin l«c dr.iwM cast to west is 32 miles ; while the longest that can be
»!;av.n tluc s^'ujlhward extends 26.I miles. 2
To-.*.ird> tlie close- of the eighteenth and beginning of the
iuiH!ri-j;t}j c<-ntury, the superfices was estimated to contain 235,300
afrrt..* Iri^h |)lantation measure, including bogs, mountains, and
\4.i-.tc*.« Since then, the whole has been most accurately and
^iK-ntili* ally surveytd, but on the scale of English acreage. Ihe
MJif.nc of the whoir district has been found to cover an extent of
» .S<r " Thr .\a!ion:il G.-uettccr," vol. iii., Churches, Monastic Buildings, Antiquities
IK i(i7 l>.f^i!..i>, i.VjS. roy.il Svo. and Natural Curiosities," p. 127. Dublin,
* .S-r *' l'.irlt.ii!K-ntiiry (iazcitccr of Ire- 1815, 8vo.
IxrA." vol. iii., p. 97. Dublin, London, ■* According to the statement which is con-
aad litliuburvjh, 1^46, loyal iivo. tained in the Rev. Dr. Daniel Augustus
* .Scr "The Tr.ivciler's New Guide Beaufort's "Memoir of a Map of Ireland,
thro;:t;h Ireland, containing a New and illustrating the Topography of that kingdom,
trcxtitc DcM;ription of the Ro.ids, with and containing a short Account of its present
r.\riiculars of all the dilTerent Towns, State, Civil and Ecclesiastical," &c., p. 58.
Vina^;r>, Noblemen's and Gentlemen's Seats, Dublin, 1792, 410.
B
2 ■ HISTORY OF THE qukrn's couxtv
ft
664 square miles. The area of tlie entire county contained 542,422
acres of arable land ; 69,289 of uncultivatctl land, 1 1,630 of continuous
plantations, 1,117 i-"itler towns, and 396 acres are under water. ^ In
all, the county comprises 424,854 acres. '^
For civil purposes the County at present is di^-ided into eleven
baronies : viz. Ballyadams, Clandonagli, Clarmallagh, Cullenagh,
Maryborough East, Maryborough West, Portnahinch, Slievemargy,
Stradball}', Tinnehinch and Upperwoocls. Ecclesiastically, it takes in
the greater part of the existing Diocese of Lcighlin, as also of a con-
siderable portion belonging to Ossory, and a small area of the Dioceses
of Kildare and Killaloe. The parishes or parts of parishes are fifty-three
in number ; and under the heading of the Baronies are thus distributed.
Ballyadams," includes two whole parishes, and part of six other parishes ;
thus it comprehends the whole of the parishes of Grange and Tecolm,
and part of the parishes of Ballyadams, Killabin, Rathaspeck, St.
John's of Athy, Tankardstown, and Tullymo)'. Clandonagli^ takes
in four whole parishes, and part of five other parishes. It contains
the whole of the parishes of Donaghmore, K\'le, Rathsaran, and
Skirk, with part of the parishes of Aghaboe, Bordwell, Coolkerry,
Eirkc, and Rathdowney. Its towns and villages are Borris-in-Ossory,
Donaghmore, and Rathdowney. Clarmallagh v lias tlnee entire jxuishcb
and part of five other parishes. This baron}- contains the whole of
the ]:)arishes of Aghmacart, Kildellig, and Killermogh. with part of the
parishes of Abbcyleix, Aghaboe, Aharney, Attanagh, Bordwell, Cool-
kerry, Durrow, Eirke, Glashare, Rathdowney and Rosconnell. The
chief scats of population are Ballycolla and Durrow. Cullenagh^*'
has three whole parishes and part of five other parishes. This barony
contains part of the parishes of Abbeyleix, Clonenagh, Fossy, Kil-
colemanbane, and Rosconnell ; and the whole of the parishes of
' At the present time allowance must up 235,300 or 367 square miles, but onlv
be made for the incidental alterations which 164,526 of these acres pay county cess, and
have taken place, and especially in the are rated as profitable ground in the county
general surface features, since the Re[)ort book ; so that there would remain 70,774
had been furnished. acres of bog, mountain, and waste lands,
^ Such is the actual measurement accord- hut this being the old estimate we may
ing to the Report of William Donnell}', l.iirly conclude, tliat 30,000 acres would be
Rugistrar-General of the Agricultural and too higli a calculation of waste, or lands now
Immigration Statistics Office, 12th December, remaining unprofitable ; such rapid strides
1S61. Census of Ireland. " General Alpha- towards improvement have steadily been
betical Index to the Townlands and Towns, made here of late years, and the value of
Parishes and Baronies of Ireland, showing reclaimed bog is now so generally under-
the Number of the Sheet in which they stO(.)d." — " General ^'iew of the Agriculture
appear; the Areas of the Townlands, and Manufictures of the Queen's Cmnitv,"
Parishes, and Baronies ; the County, Barony, chap, i., sect, i., pp. i, 2, Dublin, iSoi, Svo.
Parish, and Poor Law Union in which the ■ "^ Ballyadams contains 24,oSi(i zr. i ^p.
Townlands are situated ; and the Volume statute measure, including ijia. 2r. 24/. of
and Page of the Townland Census of 1S51, water.
which contains the Population and Number ^ Clandonagh contains 43; 733a. ir. c^p.
of Houses in 1S41 and 1S51, and the Poor statute measure, including i8a. 3r. Op. of
Law Valuation in 1S51." Presented to both water.
Houses of Parliament by Command of Her " Clarmallagh contains 43,533f. 3'". IQP-
Majesty. Dublin : Printed by Alexander statute measure, including 27^7. in 20/. of
Thorn, 87 and S8 Abbey-street, for Her water.
Majesty's Stationery Office, 1S61. P'olio. ^^ Cullanagli contains 44,094(1. 2/-. [4/).
It is evident, Sir Charles Coote, who wrote statute measure, including 13a. ir. 26/. of
in the beginning of the last century, under water.
estimates the area, even taking the Irish ^^ Maryborough East contains 25,160a.
measurement which then prevailed: "The or. ijp. statute measure.
gross number of acres in this countj' make ^- Maryborough West contains 41,914a.
m
GlXx,.KArHV, liOUNDAKir.S, KXTKNT AND DIVISIONS. 3
ltali>T<xiii, Dyscil-riallcn, riiul KilcDlL'uianbrack. The towns are
AbU-yicix, ]ii!i>To.in and Balliuakill. .Mar)'borough East ^^ includes
lv.<) entire }JaI■i^hc.s and part of li\c other parislics. The barony of
N!.ir> I.H.rdUj^h Jia^t contains the whole of Mar)-borough and Straboe
|>.iris!.cs, a-, also parts of Cloncnagh, D\'sart Enos, I-'ossey, Kilcol-
lu.iiihaiic, and Kiltcale i^arishcs. The only town in it is Maryborous^h
- -thf cij^it.il of tiie (JuLx-n'b County. Maryborough West ^- has only
a jkirt of two jjaribhci. The barony of ^Maryborough West
r:ul.;,uc>. the chicl portion of Clonenagh parish, and a small part of
AitlK-^I'-i-x jxiiish. Mountrath is the only town within it. Port-
r.»h::;<.:. '^ takes in three whole parishes ; thus within this barony
l^ .''.f.ic.i. C(K»!banagher and Lea parishes. It also includes a
j«n: '.! rorlarlington town, as likewise a portion of Alountmellick.
Jv.dl>i»rittas aiid Irishtown are its chief villages. Slievemargy 1* includes
ti.trc whole parishes, and part of three other parishes; so that this
in"iintaiiious barony contains part of the parishes of Cloydagh, Killabin,
and K.ilhas|K'ck, with the whole of the parishes of Killeshin, Shruel
auil .S!eat>-. Stradbally^^ has five whole parishes, and part of live
other i)arishes. The whole of the following parishes are included
wit):in it : viz. Stradbally, Moyanna, Corclone, Tiniogue, and Killecuiy ;
t!ic following parishes are only partially contained in it : viz., TuUow-
tnoy, Ih'sirt Enos, Kiltcale, ISallyadams and an ancient parish called
l'..iriy(|uillane. ^ The only town within it is Stradbally, and a small
viH.ige Called Vicarstown. Tinnahinch ^^ contains four whole parishes ;
.itid the 1 \lcnt of this barony embraces the whole of the parishes of
Cistlcl-rack. Kilmaninan, Rearymore, and Rosenallis. The only town
!>. .1 j'lrt (.1 .Mountmellick ; and the principal villages are Clonaslee and
Kesc-i.tliis. Upperwoods 1^ comprises only one commensurate parisli,
«-i!K-d Ouerlane, and it includes the villages of Castletown andCoolrain.
■^ii•i:^ !t may be inferred, that the diocesan and parochial arrange-
jia-nts were anterior to the baronial ; and as they now exist, most
pruh.thly their formation may be referred, in general, to the divisions
tr.Ailc alter the Synod of Kells, held in the year 1152. Some of the
|».irj>yjcs may date from a much later period; while it is likely,
tiU'Jcovcr, that their arrangement and boundaries m:iy have undergone
various changes and modifications, to suit the exigencies or
ciinvcnicr.cc of former ecclesiastical possessors. Under separate
I'.r.Kin ;{,'>, however, tlieir history, antiquities, statistics, state and
condition are re-crved for subsequent detailed treatment.
J'. }op. »iilatc tDr.\surc, includiiiL; 2Ga. or. ^"^ Tinnahinch contains 54, iS7a. or 15^/
t/. of w.i!rr. statute measure, including loStz. 2r. 20/. of
" r^ri:..i;.:!K]» cv.>ir..i;n-i :>5,SJ5'(. H-. ijp. water.
vU'.utc t:;cj,sur'.-, iiicludi)i- .\^a. T,r. i2p. of " Upperwoods contains 48,926a. 2r. I4;j.
**'<^'- statute measure. This barony and that
»• S:je\c::uri7 o 'I. t.iins 55,490a. 2r. 25/). of Marlborough East have only small
»'.j:u;e meay.uc, inrludin^ 5217. 2r. 30/. of streams, and measured in with the adjoin-
'"-•'^■'- inij lands, as being simply louyhs ; wiiile the
" ^•Ia<lt.'al!y cont.iiiis 27,895,7. -^r. 34;;. lar<,re River Barrow has been taken into
v*a!-.;:c n-.«LSuro, includmg iSa. \r. 30/. of account for the water measurements in other
*-'cf. baronies.
HISTORY OF THE QUEEN'S COUNTY.
CHAPTER II.— Geology, Minerals, Palaeontology, and Fossils
Until the last century, although some imperfect descriptions of
the Geology of the Queen's County had been published ; yet, no
attempt was made to obtain a detailed and truly scientific survey
and examination of the constituent parts. However, this work has
been undertaken since by men of acknowledged abilities and attain-
ments, and their labours must here be briefly noticed.
In the year 1814, Sir Richard GrifBth produced a very admirable
Report on the Leinster Coal District^ — mainly confined to the Queen's
County and County of Kilkenny — and in 1836, he prepared a General
Map of Ireland- to accompany a Report of the Railway Commissioners.
This Map was elegantly engraved, contoured, and mounted on fine
vellum paper of a large size, so that it presents the principal physical
features and geological structure of all Ireland. It has been geologically
coloured by hand, moreover, and for all practical purposes, the student
may find on that portion representing the Queen's County sufficient
to arrest his intelligent curiosity. On this Map is marked, likewise,
a Synoptical View of the principal fossils of Irish strata, with numerous
fossiliferous and mineral localities arranged, as also with reference
to the Post Towns adjacent.^ Nevertheless, for a much more accurate
and detailed picture of the geological formation of the Queen's
County, those Ordnance Survey 5laps, drawn on the scale of one
inch to a statute mile, and geologically coloured with intelligible
references to the various districts, are most of all to be preferred.*
Accompanying those Maps are tracts, containing explanations under
the head of " Memoirs of the Geological Survey." ^ These have been
prepared from tlie Reports and descriptions of the surveyors in their
various districts.''
^ Published in Dublin, 1S14. In compiling portion; and Slieets 136, 137 — the .southern
the present chapter, chietlv writien in the portion, and bordering on the County of
College of Science, St. Stephen's Green, Kilkenny.
Dublin, the writer has to acknowledge his * Published by order of the Lords Commis-
great obligations for the direction and assist- sioners of Her Majesty's Treasury, and
ance affouied by tlie Secretary, Joseph P. printed in Dublin, by Alexander Thorn, 87
O'Reilly, M.R.I. A., so eminently conversant and S8 Abbey Street, from iSjSto 1881.
with Geological Science, and to Ale.vander ^ Thus the Tract for Sheet i iS was written
McHenry, M.R.I. A., Geologist of the by Joseph O'Kelly, MA. ; the Tract for
Geological Survey of Ireland, who has care- Sheet liq by J. Beete Jukes, Cieorge V. Du
fully revised it, and added o'..servations of Noyer, W. H. Baily, W. L. Wilson, Joseph
his own, especially on the colliery district of O'Kelly, A. B. Wynne ; the Tract for Sheet
the Queen's County, the late subject of his 126 was written by A. B. Wynne ; the Tract
personal examination for Government for .Sheet 127, etc., is a valuable " Explana-
purposes. tory Memoir of the Geology of the Leinster
^ This was engraved in 1S37-S, and pub- Coal Fickls to accompany Parts of Sheets
lished by Ilodges, Smith, and Co., Dublin. 127, 128, 136, 137, 145, 146, 147, 155, 156,
•* Sir Richard J. Griffith, Bart., stated that and 166 of the Maps of the Geological Survey
it had always been his intention to publish a of Ireland," tiy Edward T. Ilardman, F.C.I.,
Geology of Ireland, but his official duties with l'al?eontological Notes by W. II. Baily,
pressed so heavily on him that the time to F.G.S. ; the Tract for Sheet 12S was written
accomplish such a task was never at his dis- by J. Beete Jukes, George H. Kinahan, and
posal. Lender these circumstances it devolved \V. H. Baily; the Tract for Sheet 136 was
on G. Henry Kinahan, M.R.I. A., to attempt written by F. J. Foot and J. Beete Jukes;
it. See Preface to his "Manual of the the Tract for Sheet 137 was written by J.
Geologyof Ireland," p. V. London, 187S, 8vo. Beete Jukes, G. Henry Kinahan, W. H.
* The Queen's County is fully shown on Baily, G. V. Du Noyer, and also Notes by
Sheets 118, 119 — the northern portion; Messrs. W. W.Smyth, W. L. Wilson, and
Sheets 126, 127, 12S — the major and middle A. Wyley.
GKOLOJY, .MINERALS, PAL.-EO.\TOLOGY, AND FOSSILS. 5
The Lower Silurian — Bala and Llandeilo beds — appear on the
hi(^ht*r eastern slopes of the Slieve Bloom Mountains, in the Barony
of Tinnahmch and in that of Portnahinch ; but this formation is not
wry extensive over the surface of the Queen's County. This Lower
Silurian also is the most ancient underlying stratum there discovered.
Ne.xt to it, in the order of time, must be classed the Old Red Sandstone
formation, which extends along the upper ridges and lower eastern slopes
of tiie same mountains.' It has a far wider range than the Silurian
rock. Partial sections of Lower Silurian are found in the Slieve Bloom
lIi^trict. Tiiese show strong gray and greenish gray grits, inter-
strati tied with dark gray slates, tiags, and fine olive grits. There are
also strong greenish and bluish calcareous grits, with bands of dark
yra)' slate. The Old Red Sandstone of Slieve Bloom consists of coarse
yellow, gra)', and purplish sandstones, often more or less conglo-
lueritic. They are interstratilied occasionally with beds of red shale
and thin red sandstone. Some of the yellow sandstones split readily
into fligs of excellent quality, and are quarried, being taken from
their beils in fine slabs.
Mountain Limestone is the chief substratmn '^ in the Queen's
("ouiUy. 'i'hcre seems to be a three-fold division in this County
of limestone formations. There arc bedded limestones below,
more or less like the lower shaly limestones. Those, when
followed upwards, lose their bedded character, and take on that
(jf the- Lenestella t)-pc between the groups. Between such,
lla-rc m.'iv l)e a distinct boundary ; Init, on account of the
jjre.it Ik. id of drift or bog, this problem cannot vv'ell be proved.^
'Ihe Lo\'. iT LinRst()i^,e strata may be found prevailing very exten-
.^ul■'.>^ ai.d (hietly in a direction running from the north-eastern to
the vj^'vitii-wc-stern angle of the Queen's County; but, it has a very
It ri-^-..I.ir expansion on the Geological Maps.^*^ The Lower Limestone
vh.ile .ij{K-irs to skirt the Old Ived Sandstone of Slieve Bloom, and
It hcs chi. ii\" at the lower levels of the mountain. The 3>Iiddle Lime-
stojic or (,.ilp is not very extensive ; but, it reaches in a narrow stripe
frouj tlie north of Alibeyleix to near the town of Portarlington.
Tlie Lov. i-r Limestone shale is mixed with blue calcareous sand-
^tone^ and earthy limestones, but containing a band of pure limestone
• •cc.ivioiiaily, with fossils appearing in abundance. The Lower Lime-
"-tonc cont.iins dark bluish gray crj'stalline beds, often divided by their
1)1. ick sh.ile, while cherty bands are found in it. The upper part
con.MSts of ma'---ive gray crystalline limestone, in which the bedding
' This is s}i >\vn Oil the ncologicil Map ot graphy of Ireland;' by Edward Hull, M.A.,
Itil.ir.il, f'iundoM on the .Maps of the Geo- F.R.S., Director of the Geological Survey ot
lo^r.il ."survey of .^ir Kich.inl (jritiilh and of Ireland, and Professor of (jeology in the
I'r.ifcsM'f J. Hcf'.c Jukc-%. l-iy I'Jlward Hull, Royal College of Science, Dublin. With two
M..\., F.K.S., l*irfi:tor of H. M. Geological coloured maps and twenty-six wood engrav-
.^ II rvcy of Ireland. ings. The contents are : Parti , Geological
'.See John 15art!iolomcw's "Gazetteer of Formation of Ireland, in six chapters; Part
ihc Iliilish Isles, .Sl.iti'.ticil and Topogra[jhi- ii., Physical Geography of Ireland, chapter i.
CAl,"p. 65v Edinburgh: .\dam and Charles to chajjter xvi. ; Part iii., The Glaciation of
Black, liSSj, imp. Svo. Ireland, chapter i. to chapter vi., with ap-
• See G. llinr)' Kinahan's "Manual of the pendix i, List of Authors quoted ; Appendix
Geology of Ireland," sect, i., chap, v., pp. ii., List of the Characteristic Fossils of the
75. 76. Geological Formations of Ireland ; Appendix
" For fuller information on this subject, iii., Geological Maps of Ireland. London,
the reader in referred to that very interesting 1S78, Svo.
*ork, "The Physical Geology and Geo-
6 HISTORY OF THE QUEEN'S COUNTY.
is frequently very obscure. However, it is an excellent building stone,
and well adapted for burning into lime. The Middle Limestone .or
Calp consists of black, earthy, impure limestones, interstratiiied with
bands of black shale, as also with layers and nodules of chert. Generally,
the beds are thin and regular, while sometimes they assume a flaggy
character. Fossils are very scarce in most of those beds. The Calp
is not usually well adapted for building purposes, except in the laying
or filling in of foundations ; and it is quite unsuited for burning into
lime, formerly a great factor as a manure used by the farmers, '\ and
owing to material so readily accessible, it was manufactured and
exported in large quantities.
Alagnesian Limestone is to be found in a few isolated positions,
but chiefly in a narrow stripe of land running from the south of
Maryborough and extending south-westwardly into the County of
Kilkenny. Comparatively, it is slowly soluble in dilute acids, and in
this respect unlike the common limestone. Geologically, it occupies
a deflnite position among the newest palaeozoic rocks. ^'-
The Carboniferous Limestone, however, is the prevailing geological
formation of the greater proportion in the Queen's County .^^ The
plain that occupies the principal portion of the Slieve Bloom district
has for its imderlying rock the Carboniferous Limestone. Although
occupying the highest ground there, the Old Red ^Sandstone dips
underneath the surrounding limestone, both being deposited in con-
formable succession. The Old Red Sandstone, however, rests quite
conformably on the Lower Silurian rocks. These had been tilted into a
highly inclined position and were greatly denuded, before the deposition
of the Old Red Sandstone, and both had been subsequently upheaved.^'
The form of those mountains, as they now appear, is not due to that
upheaval, however, because at the time it occurred, the <31d Red Sand-
stone was covered by the Carboniferous Limestone. This had been
subsequently removed by denudation from the high ground, while it
still remains concealing the Old Red Sandstone which extends beneath
the plain. The Old Red Sandstone itself also suflered from this
wasting action, which occasionally was sufficient to renew it com-
pletely from the underlying Silurian, leaving portions of that rock
exposed in several places. The Yoredale Carboniferous shales are
presented in a narrow and an irregular ambit, bordering the super-
imposed Millstone Grit, which also presents an irregular circuit, over
which are the Coal Pleasures, to be found chiefly in the south-eastern
section of the Queen's County. These are confined to portions of the
Baronies of Ballyadams, Slievemargy and Cullenagh.
The Upper Limestone formation is pretty extensive, especially
in the district surrounding Stradbally, and it is of a gray, blueish, or
. ■'^ As a fertilizer of soil, it is stated by " Dictionary of Science, Literature, and Art,"
Boate, that having seen in sundry parts ot vol. ii., p. 424. London, 1S66.
England and Wales, especially in Perabroke- ^-^ The carboniferous limestone "was,
shire, tliat lime had been used by the inhabit- doubtless, at one time covered by the coal-
ants for the manuring and enriching their measures with, perhaps, good beds of coal in
grounds, the Lnglish living in the Queen's their upper parts." — Professor J. Beete Jukes'
County began the practice in the early part ot "School ^Llnual of Geology," chap, .wii.,
the seventeenth century of liming their tields, p. 229. Edinburgh, rS63.
so that the use of it became very common "Joseph O'Kelly's "Explanation to
among them. See " Ireland's Natural His- accompany Sheets 1 17 and 1 18 of the Maps
tory,"' chap, xi., sect. 6, pp. 96, 97. of the Geological Survey of Ireland," sect. 3,
'■ See W. T. Brande's and Geo. W. Cox's p. S. Dublin, 1866, 8vo
GEOLOGY, MINERALS, PAL.EONTOLOGY AND FOSSILS. 7
whitish colour. The lowest beds next tlie Calp are not in any place
exposed to view ; but, generally above these, the limestone is of a
liS'ht gra}' or blue sliadc, usually massive, but sometimes thin-bedded,
with layers and nodules of chert, which generall}' lie between the
bcd^. Vet, in some places, in the centre of a bed ma}' be seen a layer
of chert, which suddenly comes to an end — that which lirst appeared
as if it were two smaller beds becoming obviously one large bed. These
chert layers are sometimes so frequent, that they malce the rock
nearly an entire mass of chert. This is noticeable in the Dysart Hills.
In the upper beds, and near the Coal ^Measures, the limestone is often
of a dark blue colour, being more argillaceous than below, and dis-
tinctly crystalline. The beds immediately next to the Coal Measure
shales are nearl)' an entire mass of chert. The sub-strata of the Queen's
County is generally limestone of a superior quality, and carboniferous.
It supj)lies line material for building purposes, or for conversion into
lime. Sand-pits and limestone gravel beds are very numerous, and
the\' are utilized for various purposes.
Underneath and around the Coal Pleasures is to be found the
Upper Limestone formation, and extending in a vcrv extensive belt,
t-i{)eciall\- northwards, and from Carlow onwards to j\lar3.'borough.
Over all these strata are distributed tracts of bog and drift, yet not
very extensive in any single district. The Upper Limestone is known
to be cellular. Large spheroids in shales are found in the Cuts of
Kille^hin,'^ near Carlow. The D_\'sart Hills consist chiefly of a series
ol isolated eminences,''^ and the peculiar character of their limestone
Co-.npcj-'ition is ewry where ver\' clearly disclosed over their rocky
s;ir!,tce-^. The Slicve Mloom. .Moimtains chietl)' comprise sandstone,
V. nil tlieir linls ot limestone and coal. Silurian slate is found in the
u;)p'-r p.irts.''
The .^iradbally Hills are comprised of Carboniferous or Mountain
Lii!.e>U)iie, wliich comes out to the surface from underneath the Coal
Mc.isurc-s. Tiie country around Stradbally somewhat resembles parts
i«t I )erb\-.shire and other English districts, where the Mountain Lime-
."tonc forms lofty ground, although in the south of Ireland it is
generally found in the valleys and lowlands. Even here, this hilly
cljaracter of the limestone ground is confined to the immediate neigh-
bourhood of Stradbally, and to the upper beds of the limestone, as
the lower portions of the formation are occupied by the valle}/ of the
River I'.irrow. A very fine description of grey marble, interspersed
with while shells, is taken from quarries in the neighbourhood of
Stradbally, and it h.as most durable properties. It admits of a high
polish, and it is exceedingly smooth-grained. It is hirgely used for
toml)s and headstones, as also for mullions, lintels, and the dressings
of public and private buildings. It can be procured in large masses,
^vithout flaw or break ; yet, strangely too, notwithstanding its proxi-
mity to the Grand Canal, this fine marble limestone is almost neglected
for purposes of distant exportation. The sumniit of the Black Moimtain,
the highest of the Cullenagh range, is 1,045 ft. above sea level. It
" See Engravinp; in " Memoirs or the " These were rudely-fashioned boats of
Geological Survey," Sheet 127, p. 12. oblong shape, and put together by the '^ountry
]'' StiQ "The Imperial Gazelecr," etc., carpenters for the purpose of ciossin,' or
€dil_edby\V. G. Blackie, Ph. D., vol. ii.,p. 704. navigating the Nore and Barrow rivers, or
'" See " The National G;izeteer," etc., vol. other deep streams. Wiicre bruises are
iii., ]). 267. wanting, they are still in use.
s
HISTORY OF THE Q'JEEN'S COUNTY.
is composed of black shales and dark sandstones, which belong to the
series of rocks known as Coal Measures, from their occasionally con-
taining beds of CO il. Iron ore or clay ironstone is to be found in various
places throughout the Queen's County. The niaterial was smelted early
in the seventeenth century at Mountrath ; and with considerable proht
by the local proprietor, who used the little cots'^of the peasants to bring
the products down the River Nore to Watcrford, whence they were
exported to England for manufacturing purposes. ^^ Thus, clay iron-
stone is said to have been obtained at CuUenagh, and it is supposed
to have been the mineral used at Sir Charles Cootc's former works.
In a division of Graceheld demesne, near Aries, the " iron park " — so
called froni tinie immemorial — abounds with iron stones of a strong
quality.-'-*
Other minerals to be found are copper and manganese ; yet,
no smelting works have been established, nor is it probable that from
them an}' profits can be realised. Slate is anotlier production of the
Slieve Bloom Mountains. Near Clonaslee, also, there is a fine sand-
stone quarry-i ; and at Boley, in the neighbourhood of Aries, there
is a flag quarry.-- Shale is to be met with in nearly all the higher
elevations of the Queen's Comity. Millstone grit, marl, and a fine
description of sandstone, with freestone and ochre, are known. Besides,
Fuller's earth and fine clays, useful for the manufactitrc of all kinds
of pottery, and earth suitable for making brick, abound. The Slieve-
margy range of table-land is composed of argillaceous earth, argil-
laceous and terruginous stone-slate, basalts, iron-ore, besides its coals.
The dilierent strata are bedded at various depths, and lie in irregular
and broken masses. Fire and brick clays of the best description
exist in unlimited quantities in the coal district. They only require
'" Such is the nrrount given us, in chnp.
xvii., sci'L 5, |)ii. 135 lo 137, of a very valu-
able little 12111(1. Volume written by Gerard
lioate, late Doetor of I'livsick to the State in
Ireland, and as set forth on the title page
published by Samuell Ilartlib, Esq,, for the
common j^ood of all Ireland, and more
especially for the benefit of the Adventurers
and I'lanters therein. This \\a^ entitled
"Ireland's Natural 1 listory." lieing a true
and ample Description of its Situation, Great-
ness, .Shape, and Nature, Of its Hills,
Woods, Heaths, Bogs ; Of its FruitfuU Parts
and profitable Grounds, with the severall
Avay of Manuring and Improving the same;
With its llr;uls or Promontories. Harbours,
Roades and IJayes ; Of its Springs and
l''i)imtaines, Brookes, Rivers, Loghs ; Of its
^fetalis, MLneralls, Freestone, Marble, Sea-
C'lal, Turf, and other things that are taken
out of the ground. And lasth', of the Nature
and Temperature of ils Air and Season, and
what diseases it is free from, or subject unto,
('onducing to the Advancement of Naviga-
tion, Husbandry, anrl other profitable Arts
and Professions. Imprinted at London for
/olin /(';•/>//,!' at the AV/ziz-i- Hcad'm the Old
I'aylcy 1652. This was dedicated to His
Excellency Oliver Cromwell, Captain Gener.d
of the Connuo)i7veaIt!is Army in luii^land,
■SVo/'/and and Ire/and, a.n6 Chancellor of the
University of Oxford, and to tile Right
Honorable Charles Meetwood, C'oinmander
in Chief {under the Lord Genera// Cronnvell')
of all the I'orces in Ireland. In the _\ear
1664, it was puf)lished in a French trans-
laticm at Paris by Robert de Ninville, au bout
du Pont S. Michel, au coin de la Rue de la
Iluchette a rFscu de France et de Nauarre,
iSmo. Its short title is, " Ilistoire Naturelle
d'Irkmde." The original was re-printed in
Dublin, under its short title, "A Natural
History of Ireland," with other tracts, in
1754, small 4to. Later still with its full
original title it has beeri printed in " A Col-
lection of Tracts and Treatises illustrative of
the Natural History, Antiquities, and the
Political and Social State of Ireland, at
various Periods prior to the present Century."
In two volumes. Vol. i., Treatises by Boate,
Ware, Spenser, and Davis. Dublin, 1S60.
8vo.
-" Sir J. Norris Brewer's " Beauties of Ire-
land," vol. ii., (Jucen's County, p. loS.
-' From tills, handsome chimney-pieces
were largely manufactured, and tney are
still to be seen in the parlours of well-to-do-
larmers in the a-'.joining districts.
■-"-' From tliis, flags have been raised thirteen
fcL-l in length by six in breath ; and formerly
thev wore exported to Dublin in considerable
qu.mlilics.
GEOLOGY, MINERALS, I'AL.'EONTOLOGY, AND FOSSILS. 9
to be developed, and to have facilities afforded for exportation and
use of their products ; so that local manufactures and industries might
become largely promoted in various localities, by intelligent and
enterprising individuals or companies.
According to G. Henry Kinahan,-^ the ascertained minerals of
the Queen's County are to be found thus distributed : In Dysart
district, iron and lead ; in Cullinagh, coal and clay-ironstone ; near
Crettyard, Coal Measure Hills and clay-ironstone ; at Coolbaun and
Ballickmoyler, lead ; at Wolf Hill, coal and clay-ironstone ; at
-Moyadd, near Ballickmoyler, coal and clay-ironstone.-'^ The
chief uiinerals of this district are anthracite coal or carbon,
which is chielly to be found in the Slievemargy range of hills, and
bordering on the County of Kilkenny.-'^ It is found in seams of con-
siderable depth, while it is both hard and heavy when taken out in
large blocks. It burns without flame or smoke, and it is strongly im-
pregnated witli sulphur. The coal is difficult to ignite, but, when lighted,
it burns with intense heat, and retains this property for a long time.
It is employed in hop and malt-drying, and also in lime-burning to
grccit advantage ; but its chief use is in the manufacture of iron.-'"
Its heating power and durability in furnaces renders it far preferable
to bituminous coal. A similar species of coal, but of an inferior de-
scription, has been found in small ([uantities on the Cullenagh
Mountains. Also, on the Slieve Bloom range, in rocks of Silurian
age, thin layers of coal have been met with, but in such small pro-
fjorticiis and \alue as to be hardh' worth the expense of mining.-''
The t'oal ot the (Queen's Count \- is made up of grits and dark,
soip.etiuies black, Nliales, with tine clay and coal occasionally, as also
with ^oine seams and nodules of cki)- ironstone. Those beds are inter-
strat'.lieil with >aiid.^tones and flagstones having various shades of
yjvy. l-'runi its occasionally containing beds of Coal, this confirmation
!s coi:ceti\cly described as " The Coal ^Measures."
I-"rom llie western banks of the River Barrow, near Carlow Graigue,
the ground slopes upwards rather steeply to Killeshin old church,
close to which there is a j)icturesque cave, in which very line black
I'lssi'c sh.ile, co\ered with thick micaceous grits, is to be seen. In
that direction, the mountain road ascends towards the coal district
of Ttnvlerton and Newtown. When viewed from a distance, the
general appearance of this region is that of a very steep ridge of high
land, rumiing in a direct line for many miles, rising from 800 to 1,000
ft. abo\e its l)a-e, and apparently flat on its summit.'-^ When viewed
'•^ See" .M.mu.il uf the- Cioolo^y of Ireland," by land was considered to be too chargeable.
^ect. v., Kcunumic.il I'roducts, chap. x.\i., p. See " Ireland's Natural History," chap, .xix.,
.570- ^ sect. 7, pp. 152.
-'The Ironmill-. River, near Itallynakill, '-"^ See James Wylde's "Circle of the
is tloubtless so c.illed Irotn old wurkinj.^s in Sciences," etc., vol. ii., Division ii.. Natural
that locality, althcu;^ti at picscnt, there are Science, Sub-Division iii., The Mineral Kin--
no exposures of s'lal-.-s in it. dom, sect, ix., Geology, p. 1014 — London.
'■^ The account of its accidental discovery — -''At chapter xxviii., in reference to the
apparently in the early part (if the seven- Carboniferous Rocks of Ireland, I'rofessor
teenth century— is given by Koate. An iron- Hull gives a brief description of the coal beds
mine discovered by Mr. Christopher Waiuls- in the Queen's County, and especially of
worth, having been worked for a long time, those about Castlecomber. See "The Coal-
on sinking deeper for that ore, coal was dis- Fields of Great Britain, etc., by Edward
covered, enough to furnish a whole country ; Hull, M.A., LL.D., F.R.S., with Maps and
but no use had been made of it except by the Illustrations, pp. 326 to 329. Fourth edition
neighbouring inhabitants, as transportation revised. London, iSSi, 8vo.
lO HISTORY OF THE QUEEN'S COUNTY.
from the eminence itself, it resembles a great barren table-land, rising
precipitately above a flat and highly cultivatetl country.'--' The
Coal Fields of this elevated district lie chicHy in the soutli
eastern part, and west of the River Barrow. ^'^ They extend, likewise,
into the County of Kilkenny, and especially pre\ail in the neigh-
bourhood of Castlecomer. They have, more or less, a basin-shaped
arrangement, resting on the Upper Limestone, beneath which is the
Middle Limestone, then the Lower Limestone, resting on the Granite.
The depth of the Limestone in the centre of that district is about
1S50 ft., or more than 1000 ft. below tiie sea-lcvcl, while on the outer
slopes of the table-land it rises to an elevation of some 250 ft. above
the sea-level. ^^ In this region JNIullaghmore Collier)^ had a number of
pits sunk several years ago, but the layers of coal were found to be
thin, and the workings have been abandoned. "-
One of tlie seven coal lields in Irehuid commences in the Slieve-
marg\' Ihlls, and those formations extend into the adjoining Counties
of Carlow and Kilkenny.^'' The area of the coal held in this district
has been estimated to l^e over 200 square nulcs^'' ; but the beds are
much disturbed by faults. Of the two lower seams, comparatively
little has been ascertained, although they extend over the entire area.-''
On the eastern declivity of the ridge formerly called Brennan by
inhabitants of the district, 2*^ a number of coal mines lie from twenty-
seven feet to twelve fathoms below the surface ; they are covered by
argillaceous and yellow ferruginous rock, on a bed of black micaceous
slate. Gale's Hill has onl>- been worked a little about the outcrop, and
there seems no likelihood of its ever being utilised, except, perhaps,
round the verges, owing to its great depth. This is evident from the
sections. The same observations apply in reference to Kingscote in a great
measure. However, Coal must exist under the rushes at about 40U
ft. from the surface, also at Courlane about the same, and at Ardentagle.
^ See Sir Robert Kane's "Industrial I\e-
sources of Ireland," chap, i., p. S. Dublin,
1S45, Svo. Second edition.
-■^ See Sir Richard Griffith's '" Report on
the Leinster Coal District,'' p. 2.
"* The Leinster coal dcjiosit is bounded
on the east, west, and south by the two i^reat
rivers, the Barrow and the Nore, which run
at the base of the Colliery Hills. See Sir "1 i','""'r'^"i" / : '" " ' 1
Robert Kane's "Industrial Resources of -^^^°^^^'' ^'''''^ ^''? '""''', ^' ^''''
Ireland," chap, i., p. S. worl<ed. There are several more known to
' ^ exist, lachuiniL; a lew surl.ice coals. 1 he
^^See " Transactions of the Royal Irish latter are all worked out. Between 5 and 6
Academy," Vol. xxiv., Part 1., Science. Dr. there is a ' crow' coal, called Jarrow crow,
K Perceval Wright's Paper read January S, whicli is an indication of the Tarrow below.
1S66, pp. 351, 352. Similarly, there is a 'crow'' .Modubeagh
^■^- It^ is marked on the Geological Sheet, between 4 and 5. la the above list Nos. 6
■<\ c- ^'^'^ 7 may also be considered worked out,
See "The National Gazeteer," etc., although still partially existing. The series,
'^'"li i"' ' ^' ~ T ■ '•'^'^"' I to 5, is all that practically has to be
By :\Ir. Henry V. White. taken into account in estimating the amount
•*^ "It appears to be generally admitted of coal commercially av.iilable." — Paper 011
that the classification laid down by Meadows the Development of the Leinster Coal Field,
in 1874, an<l subsequently by Sutcliffe, By .Air. Henry V. White. Read at Institu-
following in the main Grilfith's old arrange- tion of Civil Engineers of Ireland, on ijtli
ment, must be adopted. ot April, 1SS7.
The loUowing are the lists of main coals, ""^ Now known as Clogrennan, and lacing
commencing witli the lowest : — the town of Carlow.
Namei
riiicknesb
ot .Strata.
Galci'Hin
No.
I I 3.0 feet
iviii^scute, one f^ot co;il
Moilubeaijh or Rushes, two
"
-' 1 -16 „
\
toot coal
Ward's Scam, or foul coal ..
••
3]-y.K ,.
One foot coal wiih Jarrow
■^4^.3 „
channel, or Jarrow coal ...
Old colliery, or tliree foot coal
D.iuble seam
"■
5 \ 1 iSo „
GEOLOGY. MINERALS, PAL/EONTOLOGY, AND ^FOSSILS. II
The Modubeagh Colliery^^ is valuable on account of its quality
and tliickncss ; wliile it is good for household and other purposes.
It was formerly worked for a considerable extent, while first and
hccond coal was obtained from its beds. The large extent for which
this is conunercially available gives it a special importance. The
l.i)cr \aric-s from 15 in. to about 30 in. thick. The Modubeagh is a
IjDod, clean coal, but it is soft and flaky. It has been partially
worketl at the Ruslies, Towlerton, Bilboa, Skehanna, Firoda, and
.M<xhil)eagh, but inconsiderably in proportion to its exLeni/'"^
Ward's Scam Coal appears generally either to have been swept
away b>- denudation or to exist at sucii a depth as to be practically
up.reaciiable. It was found at the Rushes 12 in. thick, but unprotit-
ahlL-, also at .Mayo. The seam probably can never be of commercial
value.
The jarrow Coal, for quality, is superior to any in the field. It
is a hard, stouelike, compact, pure anthracite, giving out very intense
.111(1 ladling heat. It iias been, and is, extensively worked, having been
nroved at Garrendenny, Ivilgorey, Newtown, Doonane,^' Monteen,
Nl:is>-ford, Cioneen, Clough, Cionbrock, and Broompark. It is known
as the one-foot co.il with Jarrow channel. Of the centre basin it
C'):npri-c-> a large .ire.i not far from the surface.'^ The general thickn.ess
is abor.l ij in., but ihe thickest and best portion^is that known as
the Jarrow chaune!, averaging :; ti;. thief: tor about 200 yards witle,
tlicnce gr.id'.ially (hniKushing. Tliis cii.mnel does not rest on hre-clay,
.IS do li.'.- <»i1kt (.'mI-,. and undoiibte<IK' it was, at one time, the l:)e(l oi
a rp.'t-r. i:i w.wcii the lluck tormatiun \s'as deposited. The Jarrow
ch.iy.r.fl (.'••.ir-e, .*.:■> p;"'i\-cd, jirMC'cded Irom Geneva, south-west on
ti.:'-;;;;'.; I'lonl.'r^'C"; . !).>'n,uiL-, Cioneen, Alassford, and the Rock,
liii-.itc :;'r:ii-ri't lo M inteen and Kilgorey, and northward probably
to (i.irrrM'ii-iiny lojiid hill towards Geneva, taking a circular course.
H'l'.vc. cr. '.l has h'.jI been prcned from Monteen to Geneva. For so
r.r.sth ..s has Ix-cn proved, some 10 miles in lengtli, y-l- miles of coal
rcri.isn to l-c worked, which may be estimated at full thickness of
3 (t. !'...- :<X} yard- -.vuit.-." At the Wolfhill Colliery, south of Lugga-
Cirrca, t'.c bcC'jnd cod has apparently been worked out; and, if
t;.rrc 1 ->• fif.st c^Xi] tiiere, it has not as yet been discovered. A
vczy fc:!i..irk.ib!c te.ilure in the district, app.arently not generally
kr-o-A-.j. IS tliC existence of a great fault, extending northward from
K:!^; *rcy to.v.irds W'ohhill, through the summit of the hill next
C'Kihr'Kk. The (l:s:>!ace;nent must be very great at this hill, as the
*' S-;t :r.r " (tcilf,;!'-..! .Si'.ott oftheOrd- Mr. Meadows estimates it to be profitably
aaacr S^ncT u/ IrrU:!'!." No. 12S. workable for an area of 10 square miles ; the
** Mr. !i''-A.-'.»»-j c.;a:i.i:i:'. I'-S available area " Janow" is at present being worked at
a: »!«/.;t i> vjJAie snii'.-i, tht: depths of the Clonbroek, iQueen's County), and in Kil-
va:u j.'i^-tciti;..; toAjiiis centre of basin, kenny at Rock, Monteen, and Massford South.
vhcic the in.Witoui'.i i!e;i'.'i should be from ''^ It has lieeii stated, that in his evidence
250 !j 3'>j yjrdv It ii t ) i e regretted, that before the Select Committee of Industries
»«!:iricr.t l-<jtii!,;i have ;i'it been made to (Ireland), 1SS5, Professor Hull gives the area
riulilish i'.i Workable e\'- :u with more of the field at 61,440 statute acres, and the
ac<*<jr.n-y. workable coal at 118,000,000 tons.
* In ;hc- ^oulhcnj rid[;c Ir^jm iJjonane, no ■^- This was pointed out by Mr. ICdf^e, a
oals have \<fn d;sruv?red, but on the gentleman connected with that district. Mr.
western or Margie ridge, helonging to the .Meatlows' statement would appear to confirm
'.•.ri!»hi[) ofC.LSilcciimer, co.ds arc lound from this, as he found the displacement (an up-
MX feet 10 lour fathoms below the surface. throw to tlie west), amounting to 160 yard-,
•■' With regard to tlie Jarrow dial generally, at Modubeigh, in a pit sunk 167 yartls.
12
HISTORY OF THE queen's COrXTY.
Ward's scam comes to the surface, and a bore-liole a little to the east
proved to be Jarrovv Coal at a depth of 216 ft.'-
The Anthracite Coal Measures are largely developed in the South
of the Queen's County, and these are extensively worked.*^ This coal,
liovvever, is not so well suited for domestic purposes ; but it suits
well the purposes of maltsters and distillers living in the neigh-
bouring districts. 1' In the Queen's County portion of the
Castlecomer tableland, and in the Newtown Colliery, an intra-glacial
peat was found by Mr. B. B. Edge, which is probably
estuarine, as the gravel associated with it contained marine fossils.'''^
The present annual yield of all the collieries is about 80,000 tons
of coal and culm. In former times it appears to have been much
greater. ^'^ Still, a large amount of coal and culm^'' is sent annually
from the Colliery District. ^'^
The most numerous Fossils of the Upper Carboniferous Limestone
are Zoophyta or Corals. To the south of the ruined church that lies
south-cast'of Stradbally, there is a thick-bedded, pale and light-bluish
gi'ay limestone, thickly bedded, and having in it little chert. Here
there are Fossils, which are principally Product. e and Spirifers. To
the west of the same church are thick-bedded pale limestones. In
the immediate neighbourhood of Aries, various specimens of
shell-like stones have been discovered ; some of " these fossils
are pieces of cornel, cockle, and oyster shcUs.''-' The black
shales in the Colliery district generally contam Fossils belong-
ing to such genera as Aviculopecten, Euomphalus, Goniatites,
Bellcrophon, &c. ; but the beds interstratitied with the Coal are found
to contain plants belonging to Lepidodendron, Calamites, Sigillaria,
*•* See "The Imperial Gazetteer," etc.,
edited by W. G. lU.ickie, Ph. D., vol ii., p.
704. Gla'ifjow, I'^dinburgh, and London,
i860, imp. 8vo.
■'^ See " The National Gazetteer : a Topo-
t^raphical Dictionary of the British Islands,
Compiled from the latest and best sources,
and illustrated with a complete County Atlas,
and numerous Maps," vol. iii., p. 267. Lon-
don : Virtue and Co., 1S6S, 3V0IS., imp. 8vo.
** See G. Henry Kinahan's " Manual of
the Geology of Ireland," sect. iii. ; Superhcial
Accumulations, chap. xix. , p. 231.
■*® Sir Richard Griililh, in his report on the
coal field in 1814, uses the following words:
— " The annual output may be on an average
about 70,000 tons of hard coal, and about
100,000 of soft or culm — the principal mar-
kets being Kilkenny, Carlow, and Athy— in
distant places the coal being used for malting,
for which purposes it is peculiarly adapted,
the culm or soft coal being chiefly used for
burning lime, being sent for by the farmers
of all the surroundmg counties, particularly
from Wicklow and Wexford." It appears
by the evidence given before the Royal Coal
Commission in 1872, that the available yield
was estimatetl at 75,000,000 tons.
■*'' This is a local term for the crumbling
refuse of the pits, and applied to anthracite
mineral carbon, glance and columnal coal.
It is largely used tor the burning of lime.
^3 It is estimated, that about 11,000 tons
reach Athy, and 16,000 to 17,000 tons reach
Carlow. A great deal of the culm going to
Athy is used for the manufacture of bricks,
and of the fuel going to Carlow a consider-
able proportion is conveyed by road to the
south of the county, and to the counties of
Wicklow and Wexford. The value of the
coal and culm at the pit's mouth varies from
about IS. Sd. to 20s. per ton — the average is
about 9s. ; but, weight for weight, its heating
and lasting powers are greater than that of
any English, Scotch, or Welsh fuel. A large
amount is used for malting purposes. The
actual cost of carriage to Athy varies from
Ss. 6d. to 6s. 8d., and to Carlow from 4s. to
5s. per ton. This coal ha^ been largely used
on the Great Southern and Western Railway
mixed with Welsh steam coal, and Mr.
Aspinall says that to use it by itself it is only
necessary to have a special fire-grate with
the bars placed very close, to avoid waste.
See paper on the Development of the
Leinster Coal Field, by Mr. Henry V. White,
read at the Institution of Civil Engineers of
Ireland, April 13th, 18S7.
*^ See T- Norris Ihewer's " Beauties of Ire-
land," Vol. ii., Queen's County, pp. 107, 108.
^'^ See "Transactions of the Royal Irish
Academy," Vol. x\iv., Part i., Science. Dr.
E. Percival Wright's Paper read January S,
1866.
(.lol.v.v. MIM.RM.S, PAL.i:ONTOLOGY AND FOSSILS. 13
rfc«»5>tcri5, Splicnoini-ris, etc.. etc.''' Several new species of these
Ultrr ^'cruT.i h:i\o \<vi\ dc-'cribcd from the Coal of this district.''^
<>vtrr Uniy )"c.ir> .i^^o, many .species of fossil re[)tiles were discovered
it\ tl'.c il^ilc lx:i!> .ivvKiatcxl with these coal seams. Respecting these
rrj'tjlui i>T NaVir'vKjtr.uhi.iii remains the late Mr. W. H. Baily fur-
nut. aJ A tuitsi ifitcrolin^ account.'- Late in the season of 1864, in
*»»{;i; i: »hc <.'o!lirr»rs, Nlr. W. H. Brownrigj; had his attention drawn
tt» »»fTi*c toviwivc! t.iud.d \crlcbr.e, which had been taken from a recent
»«»-Vu'.u Kri.-j^niMf.j^ ihe interest of the discover)', he, with the
ttA'ly ji*o:»tj>r,vc o! .Mr. Dobbs, the aijent of the proj^erty, and with
Uk A|»5*uv4l oi the Ic^-see, Mr. .Samuel Bradley, had a collection
t■^.*.•^r of ill ib.c t>>\>jl remains. In 1865, a grant of money was
jn*lc t'V t5;c I5riti"«h .Vssociation to aid in the sj^ecicd digging out of
th<< 1<»*»4! rTm.iins. v.hich occurred m a "sole" that was too foliated
tT.* l«r w- rkrvl tor c<xil. Mr. Galvan, ot the .Survey, on a visit to the
i>.«[acf>c^. h.»(J !"uiul a very complete siveleton of a small reptile,
*.f whuh a <lr.i\\u\g by .^Ir. Baily was forwarded by Professor
|u*iO !i» rr<>!e--v,.r liuimas II. Iluxle)', who at once returned the
«».clt.h '.\'A]\ the n;f(irmalion. that it rejiresented a new Labyrintho-
tJ-'ijl AmpiubiatJ wluch he called Kcyntcr pcton Galvani. At this
ti:tvc. l»y .sy>teinatn..dly working in tliat part of the pit which
v-.r!'!*^! t};c l.ir|^e*>t amount of fossil remains, a vary large series of
«})»v-Mn;c!-.s h.id been l)r<>U|^ht tor;cther ; these packed in cases were
»i.nvr)Txl !■> I)ubln» lice of charge bv the Clreat Southern and
Wntrtn Kail'A.iv fomp.iny, and pi. iced in the charge of Dr.
1%'wAril I'cricv.il Wright by Mr. W. B. Brownrigg. binding that
^f•.«V^.t-.f Huxley h u| f..tn;cd the six-cimen found by Mr. Galvan,
IH. \V{!,;j'.t ur..!c !«> him to the ellect, that he hoped he would
*!»> ii.-»«.»il>c *'wc MTics which bad been sent to him by Mr.
Ui'.j-wfijij^t;. A\A j;!vui^ a liNi of the six-cimens, Professor Muxley
iTj**c«i. i«v A\ c»:.(.c *'>ming over to Dublin and spending some
ftft^c sn ?c;cv!iJii: i!ir clucf Jorms to be dr.iwn by Mr. Dinkel. In a
Vtfir*'-f4:;iSu:{i '•' kn.'iiy coimnunicated in reference 'to the foregoing
«ttl»|«;. I).r. I-."d\v,jrd IVrceval Wright adds: "The importance of
llx «J<Vi»Acnr> lluj-» made in these coal seams may be estimated
l»t-«jj l^jiT ixKl, lh.it they had yielded more genera than were known
rn jSf<'» {r»>fi> ail tlie .\merican coal fields and nearly as many as
\'^ l*ccti ol>:-unt:J from luirojx' generally. They also furnished a
v*rvk !\-tc o( I-ibr>"mthi>dont, Ophidcrpeton Broivnriggii, having a
»fiaWc-lii«.c UkIv. I'Ik" illustrations of these fossil reptiles by Mr.
Djj.'kcI jrc ucll Worthy of notice, more especially because the
OMi^wuJ sjx'tnr.cn.') procnted to the Museum of Trinity College,
* Hj W. |( lUlV, i.T ■■ l^vpUn.i'.ion of like impressions, wbicli by tlicm^clves were
SJx*: xy: iii Jto N{ap» of t!ic (icoloj^icil obscure. Sub-sci|ui.iiily, however, alter a
^cf■.^■r < MfcU;-, I." |>. 14. new pit was sunk, Samuel Bradley, Esq.,
*» !lr lK-_'t »n!ri : "In \\\t yenr 1S5S, then manager and owner of the pit, found
»h.*n •■« X \\si\ to \\.f ( r.jiriis in tliis dis- what ap[XMred to be similar reptilia, which
KK'.. »:!N my ct>!Ifi;:uc, .^!f. (J. II. Kinalian, were brought into public notice by W. B.
Mr I'at Fi:.Un, <A Ot-^h, informed us that Brownri^;^, M..\., in a Paper read before
<.»i.!«, likr Urge lLr.wds and snakes with the Royal Geological Society of Ireland."
Ut'.."* «c\.ifcd in the kclvej and ih.iles over See their Transactions, Vol. I., New Series,
!!j« ckaI in the fifil jarrow I'lt. The work- p. 14=;.
ir.^> *cfc then filled up \*ith rubbish, and " L)ated 5 Trinity College, Dublin, 15th
^ inU.i could not produce any of the si)eci- February, 1903.
tMn* he \ji<\ picker! up, except a few ring-
14 HISTORY OF THE QUEEN'S COUNTY.
Dublin, have in great measure disappeared by a cliemical change in
the sulphur pyrites, which formed a great portiuu of the matrix in
wliich the remains were embedded. It was anticipated, that a
second Memoir from the same authors would have appeared,
describing some ec[ually interesting new forms, but the owner of
the collection disposed of them to the Trustees of the British
Museum. There they find a place among their treasures in the great
Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, South Kensington, London."
The newly discovered Lab)'rinthodont forms were subsequently described
in a joint paper, by Dr. Thomas Huxley and Professor E. Perceval
Wright.^* Illustrations of those Vertebrate l\.emains, with minute
descriptions of their constituent parts have been furnished by
Professor Huxley in live lithographic plates, executed under his
inspection by Mr. Dinkel, and which are perfectly trustworthy repre-
sentations of all the well-delined features of the specimens. ^^ Associated
with the reptilia were also found numerous well-preserved fossil ferns
and other plants, as well as very remarkable lish remains.^'-'
CHAPTER III.— Climate, Soil, Surface, Bogs, Eskers, Alluvial
Flats, Scenery and Natural Curiosities.
Its inland situation and its general elevation over the sea-level
procure a free circulation of air for all parts of the Queen's County ;
while, especially on the West and towards the South, it is greatly
sheltered by the Slieve Bloom mountain range against the winds and
rains that so frequently visit it from those directions. As happens in
the rest of Ireland, its climate is variable in temiierature and degixe at
diiierent seasons of the year ; and considerable ch.mgcs have taken place,
not alone in past historic times, but even within the memory of its
oldest living inhabitants. During the first half of the eighteenth
century, its Soring seasons were more genial, and not so much affected
with eastern winds as at present ; the Summers were much
warmer ; the Autumns generally moister ; and the Winters prevailingly
colder, as heavy snows often covered the groimd, and hard frost or
hoar was to be regarded as more penetrating and keener felt than now
come within our experience. But under all the foregoing conditions,
as stated, the air was salubrious, temperate, and much more enjoyable
and bracing, than that contemporaneously experienced in the adjoining
islands of Great Britain and on the European Continent. Not alone
for healthy but even for delicate constitutions, it is admirably suited.
Since the last two hundred years, its dense woods have wholly and its
bogs have mostly disappeared ; so that fogs and exhalations are seldom
to be seen and in few districts. For greater warmth and shelter, as
also to promote the fertility of the numerous fields, not alone the roads,
^■^ This was published vinder the title, " On — "Transactions of the Royal Irish
a. Collection of Fossil Vcrtebrata, from the Academy," Vol. xxiv., Part i., Scienec.
Jarrovv Colliery, County of Kilkenny, Ire- Read January S, 1866 ; pp. 351 to 369.
land. By Thomas H. Ilu.xley, F.R.S., *^ See idi'd., pp. 350, 351.
Professor of Natural History at the Royal ^'' See in connexion with this subject,
School of Mines, Jermyn Street ; and E. " Explanatory Memoir on the Geology
Perceval Wright, A.M., M.D., F.L.S., of the Leinster Coal Fields," H.M.,
Lecturer on Zoology, Dublin University." Geological Survey of Ireland.
GEOLOGICAL
/^/
KINGS C?
C?TJPPEf!ARY
Explanahion
MilLstone^ Grih,
□
'Ybrc-cUHe Shales.
n
•'boTi.ifej'oiLS
Olct-Jledy Scuulstone
ccrui. slate,.
CARLOMT
(^ Reduced from
GEOLOGICAL MAP OF QUEENS C9
KINGS C"
C'^'TIPPEfLA.RY
^Y
Explanation
[*^i*-.l Coat J^feasLaes .
Millstone. GrU>,
CARLO^V
\ore<icCLe Shales.
urL&ston£..
Old^HeA' SoJidstone.
(To face page 14)
(Reduced from Geological Survey Maps)
CLIMATE, SOIL, SCFNHRY AND NATURAL CURIOSITIES. I 5
but the ditclies that entlost- the pa>^turcs and arable lands ought to be
extensively planted with lart^c torest and branchinij trees. These,
however, should be kept apart from the hedi^e-rows to prevent gaps
in the latter. Not alone should sucli grcnvths be ornamental and add
picturesque beauties to the land<cape, hut their deciduous leaves
imperceptibly and gradually dee[)en and enrich the soils extending
beneath them; while by jutlicious trimming of their branches most
useful fire-wood might be cblained, and liy seasonable renewal of the
plants congenial to the location, even tree-farming as practised in other
countries could be rendered profitable to the landed proprietor.* The
moistures and white mists that arise from the bogs are not alone free
from germs of disease, but their constituent elements are antiseptic
and invigorating, as pro\'ed b)' the ca-^es of inhabitants living in
districts around them, who are generallv healthy and robust ; while
instances of remarkable longevity are occasionally furnished in such
situations, by the pea>^antry occujiied in turf-cutting or in cultivating
reclaimed bog-lands. The (Jueen's County climate is usually temperate,
and rarely in the extremes of cold in Winter or of heat in Summer.
The variations of natural s(jil in the (Jueen's County are very great,
and chiefly owing to the circumstcUices of situation, of geological sub-
strata, and of accidental changes brought by time and treatment. In
many instances, the earth j>roduces a stiff clay ; more generally it is a
sandy loam ; while a strong gravelly admixtui'c, very favourable
however to the growth of grain, is most commonly prevalent. In
some cases, the layers of earth are deep ; but large tracts, in particular
districts, are shallow, and these mostly rest on limestone sub-strata.
The greater portion of the County is admirabl)' suited for arable lands,
and has been so cultivated ; while, owing to long-continued tillage and
manuring with farm-}-ard composts, their natural fertility has been
vastly improved. For man)- ])ast \-cars, however, tillage has greatly
lessened. On the hills ami mount. lin elevations where grass is chiefly
produced, pastures most aliound, and the herbage is nutritious, even
on very light soils. Naturally, there is a considerable amount of heathy
and barren mountain surlaee, with several tracts of bog, marsh and
waste lands, yet for tlie most part capable of partial reclamation. In
suitable positions, meadov/s and artiticial grasses flourish, and are sure
to reward t1io agriculturists' care and prnteclion. On the whole,
the area of waste land, bears but a very small degree of comparison
with that which is fertile a.nd productive.
The great central plain of the Queen's County is comparatively
level, although covered with gentle undulations of surface. In several
places, isolated hills of moderate eminence are to be seen ; but the moun-
tain ranges that bound it towards the West and South form its greatest
elevations.
The soil of the Slicvc-Bloom mountains on the Queen's County side
and the lower declivities is, on the whole, very good ; on the King's
County side at the extremity it is a cold grit, and this takes a great deal of
lime to make it arable. Argillaceous in composition, it is also inter-
spersed thickly with freestone on the King's County exposure. The
upper stratum is also pretty deep, and in few places it is less than two
An Act of Parliament applicable to Ire- own farm, and afterwards to claim them at
land enables the limited renter of land to any time as his own property or convert them
register trees planted by himself, and on I is to his own use.
1 6 HISTORY OF THE QUEEN'S COUNTY.
•
spades from the surface, while a silicious siibslratuni covers the whole
summit range. The centre has various soils, it being of a light sandy
loam, a stiff yellow clay, or gritty shallow gravel, and a deep brown
earth, which is by far the best. The bottom line is a cold, spongy, deep
clay, and only productive, where the loam is so dry as to check the
springs above ; at the foot, where the declivity vanishes, there is a deep,
irreclaimable bog, and only to be approached in very dry seasons. This
is a general description of the Slieve Bloom range on the King's County
side. However, towards the centre of those mountains, the land is
very fertile in pasture, and it is grazed the whole year throughout with
numerous flocks of sheep and young cattle. Tlie soil is often of limestone
c|uality, and large rocks of that mineral are thickly interspersed ;
neither is the bottom range boggy, but it produces a stiff clay, from
which abundant crops of corn can be procured. On the mountain of
Knocknaman such is the case, and also on the range of Castletown,
Cumber, and down to Lett}'brook, some of the best land is to be found,
On the western side towards the King's County the mountain land is
generally barren, and is of very little value. In most places the uplands
are only nutritious as pasture for cattle in very dry seasons. Yet
along the declivities, and chiefly those approaching the lower extended
plain, on the eastern face of Slieve Bloom, the lands are mostly of very
superior quality.
The bogs, which spread over some districts, contain large tracts,
especially in the northern and niiddle parts ; but, they have been of
late years so much cut away for cheap and useful fuel, while the remainder
has been reclaimed for meadow or tillage, that their limits have been
greatly circumscribed, while their dun and heath-covered surfaces are
by no means dreary or monotonous to the eye of the traveller. It
has been remarked, moreover, that they are quite free from the malaria
arising from the fens and marshes of England. The strongly-
astringent quality of those bogs is a proof of their being antiseptic
and non-putrescent. Trees have been iound beneath them at a great
depth,- and for ages the bogs have been gradually growing over them ;
still the trees are in a high state of preservation, and the timber is
perfectly sound. ^ Moreover, the remains of human beings and of
irrational animals, that have been buried there in times unknown,
have )-et retained their shape and features, but embrowned from the
action ot the bog water.' Exhalations arise from the bogs occasionally,
" The trunks and branches of decayed missioners on the Bni^< of Ireland, published
iices are very generally found in most of the now over seventy years ago.
Irish bogs; however, although the wood be ^ Their antiseptic cjuality is indisputable ;
perfectly sound, the bark of the timber has for animal and vegetable substances, even
uniformly disappeared. The decomposition tlie products of man's nidustry, are frequently
<if this bark forms a considerable part of those found, and at a great depth in bogs, without
nutritive substances wiiich helped growth in their seeming to have sufiered any decay,
ihe morasses; still, notwithstanding this Many of those substances have been deposited
circumstaance, tan is not to be obtained in ihem at a very remote period. Uuder the
when analysing bogs. Such is the statement surface of a bog, and at a depth of 17 ft., a
of the disiinguisheci Irish mineralogist and woollen coat of coarse but even network was
scientist, Richard Kirwan. found in 17S6; a razor with a wooden
^ Some of the Irish bogs are evidently of handle, some iron beads of arrows, large
very ancient formation. There are three wooden bowls, some only half made, with
distinct growths of timber which have been the remains of turning tools. These are
covered by three distinct masses of bog, as thought to have been the wreck of a work-
discovereil by a careful and scientific examina- shop, which might have been situated on the
tion, acccjrding to the Report of the Com- borders of that bog.
CLIMATE, SOIL, SCENERY AND NATURAL CU;^inSITIES. 1 7
owing to the warm rays of the sun, and especially towards evening ;
yet, these affect not the health of natives living in the vicinity.
Within the last century, a considerable portion of bog has been
reclaimed and converted chielly into wet or badly drained pasturage.
The largest tracts of moorland now remaining are those extending
from Monasterevin towards Portarlington and Emo Park along the
western banks of the River Barrow, and that moor between Mary-
borough and Mountrath, reaching moreover towards Baliyroan and
Abbeyleix. Between Maryborough and Stradbally, on either side
of the high road, there is a tract covering some acres called jMonejwaugh
much of it having been reclaimed. Between Mary^borough and
Mountmellick a considerable amount of bogland still supplies turf to
the country-people and to the towns. West and south of Rathdowney
the bogs are extensive. Throughout the barony of Tinnahinch the
moors greatly prevail, and in Upper Ossory are bog-lands and mountain
moors to a very considerable extent.
The drift-ridges, known as Eskers, are to be met with in the Queen's
County.^ South of Maryborough is one of the most remarkable, and
tending in a northerly direction, until it ends in an alluvial flat east
of Mountmellick. This, known as the Ridge of ?\Iaryborough, is
generally narrow at its base, being sometimes not one hundred yards
wide, and sloping upwards very steeply ; yet sulliciently broad on
the top to admit the construction of an old roadway, which is even
yet travelled, except near Rathleague, where it is now terminated by
a wood, through which, however, the Esker continues. On either
side of this embankment, there is an alku'ial Hat, through which a
small brook Hows. These brooks make a curious gap in the Esker
about half-way between Maryborough and ]\Iountmellick, where they
unite their streams, flowing northwardly into the River Barrow,
However, the Esker continues on the western side in a sinuous but
narrow line. An Esker, probablv- a continuation of the foregoing,
although a gap of more than a mile intervenes, commences north of
Mountmellick.lt is first seen on the south side of the River Barrow,
about 300 yards long and 30 ft. in height. It runs north-west and
south-east. It is separated from one about 300 yards further to the
north-west, by the alluvial flats of the River Barrow. The Esker now
forms a very regular ridge along the north-east bank of the Barrow,
from 15 ft. to 25 ft. above the flat. It is about one mile and a-half
long. It terminates rather abruptly west of White Hill. There a
section is exposed in a gravel pit, where it shows a confused mass of sand
and gravel, principally composed of limestone debris. To the west of
where the last Esker terminates, and north of Rosenallis, some curious
drift mounds and short Eskers niay be seen about Nut Grove and the
Glebe House. There is an Esker opposite Pass House, near Baliyroan,
while it extends in a westerly and northerly direction. A very large
portion of this had been removed, when the new coach-road from
Dublin to Cork was formed towards the closeof the Eighteenth Century.
Since that time its bed of gravel has been drawn on repeatedly for
repairs of that road. Probabl\' the Pass Esker had a former connexion
with the Ridge of JMaryboroiigh. The great Esker or central gravel
^ For an account of their supposed forma- G. Henry Kinahan's " Manual of the Gcolo;;y
tion, and of otiier interesting particulars of Ireland," sect, iii., Su[)eificiul Accumul.i
regaiding them, the rcailer is referred to tions, cliap. xiv.
C
1 8 [IFSTORV OF THE QTlREN'S COUNTY.
ft
mound is traceable near Timahoc ; and there is one of very consider-
able length, commencing- at Rathleaguc, extending to Maryborough,
and continuing to Mountmellick, which is especially remarkable, for its
extension and continuity. An Esker runs from Stradbally 'to the
south-west, and it is fully three miles long. It passes near Timogue
church, and onwards towards Timahoe. ^ Where this ridge comes a
little to the north of the latter place, it is almost cut in two by the little
River Bauteoguc. Hie ridge is thence continued to the north for
about a mile, when it turns round to the west, widens out, and ends.
To the north-west of Timahoe, there runs a north and south Esker
ridge, to be .seen on the road that leads to Cullinagh.
Alluvial Flats are to be found along the River Barrow and some
of its tributaries. In many instances, those tracts are extensive. All
have been formed from the silt and other matters carried down by
the river during floods. After heavy rains, especially in the northern
Slieve Bloom mcnm tains, the waters oftentimes overflow the banks
and sometimes cover the adjoining fields to a very wide extent,
remaining for a considerable time on the callow meadows before
they return to their natural channels. As a consequence, the grass
of those meadows becomes coarse and sour, in most summer seasons,
when it is fit to be mowed ; but it is largely used with more nutritious
hay and fodder for cattle, by the farming classes in Hie country around.
The soil of those flats is usually marshy, cold and full of rushes. Nearly
at the point of the Little Barrow, entering the County of Kildare,
the Feagile River, which drains the Bog of Allen, and flows through
a desolate-looking tract of country, contributes largely to the Barrow
floods. It would be a work of national importance, and tend to reclaim
thousands of acres, if a« large and judicious employment of capital,
skill and labour were extended to those alluvial districts. Elsewhere
the marshy lands arc not very numerous, and they are usually small
in area.
The chief mountain ranges are those of Slieve Bloom, extending
from the north to the south, and on the western boundary, as also
Slieve Marigue along the extreme south-western line. These are of
irregular width and bearing, but on the Queen's County side their
surfaces, although broken and uneven , are for the most part productive.
The contrary is the case on the King's County or western side, where
the escarpments are very numerous and abrupt. They have extensions,
likewise, of lesser altitude, and from nearly all the upper points of
vantage on the eastern slopes, there is a far stretch of vision, not only
over the great central plain of the Queen's County and its diversified
prospects, but over various parts of the adjoining counties, and
reaching to vast distances, north, east and south. In the heart of the
mountains themselves are many delightful lonely valleys and dells,
especially near the banks of the several streams that have their source
on the upper eminences. The northern and western slopes of the
Slieve Bloom mountains are indented by many deep glens, the principal
of which are : Glenbarrow — whence the River Barrow draws its head
water ; two glens which run upwards from Clonaslee ; and two
remarkable glens to the west of Wolltrap mountain, one of which
opens into Cadam^town and the other into Kinnitty. There are two
passes across tlie range, traversed by a main road— one called " The
Cut," south of Clonaslee, and the summit of which is about 1,350 ft.
above the sea ; while the other^ two miles westwards, has a height of
CI. I. MATH, soli., SCHM.KY AM) NATURAL CURIOSITIES. 19
i,;«K) ft. ii) tlif Wfst (it till' I\i\cr I'-.irrow, iicir Carlow, tlie ground
nvi.«- >lu\\l\- al 111 >l, 1)111 atlci wards ii forms a lonj^ line having; nearly level
lifijdus ot alxnil i/kkjU. in al)->olulc elexatioii to the table-land of
(".4>tlc«.«>iiK-r. 1 he views from .some points on tlie east and north are
niDsl c.vti-nsive ; .uid. troin the heii^hts above Killcshin, the prospect
of llic li-rtilf and wcll-wcKxied valle)- around Carlow, backed by the
r.m^c of W'uklow mountains, willi their centre-piece Lugnaquilla,
!•. ji.if !u iil.iriy iH-auliful. I'Vom the northern slopes of the Slieve
'•l.iiij;wc r.kn^;c, the view over a vast champaign country presents a
most cnth.mtinj,' prospect, while its diversit)' in lines of walled dqniesnes
.t:i«I hcd^*f-row enclosures .u-oiwul numerous farm-houses and cottages
i\ uunsl V harming, until .such objects seem to fade far away to indis-
liniUirss. 1 lie distant summits of Wicklow mountains close the view.
'I he tcrr.ico-road leading from Stradball)' to Carlow and stretching
•ilo:;^ thr breast oi that range at a considerable elevation forms a
i5c!i^,'i.tful route, and has always afforded the tourist of taste and
v:i-.;bihly the highest gratification. Almost equally enjoyable is the
• lirc«.l high-roail drive between Stiadbally and Athy, by way of Bally-
k'.l«..i\au demesne and Blackf(,)rd. The ce)ntours of the country around
Str.idhally. i'imahoe and Ballynakill have an agreeable diversity of
outline, aufl are nuich adniired for views they present. Several minor
r.iii^^c-' of hills and of isol.ited limestone eminences, with the vales and
«ivlK lH-!iiMth. gi\e an appearance of picturesc[ueness to the scenery.
i'rom tlie smnmits of tliose p^rojections are man)' charming prospects ;
and, u\ »r\ci.il in-^lances, the \iews (.'xteiul to vast distances over the
^,'rr.»l tn:dl.ind j)lains cjf Ireland. 1 he scenery throughout the Queen's
Cou;v*>' <l:stMtt is jileasing and diversified ; as, on the whole, the land
li.o Uvn krj)l in .1 g<KKl ^tate of cultivation, while several beautiful
::..UiM(>us and «lciiusnc-s are to be seen, with a variety of improved
JAf:u•h<>^J^<•'» aiid thi-ir out-ot'ticcs. E.xccpt when relieved by artifical
ii;;.;m,''.c:iirnl"> and planting, the innnediate vicinity of the travelled
{•M'l^ t*n th.r r.iiiil.uid plain, reaching from north-east to south-west,
^ifc-^nt-t few Ic.ilurcs of scenic interest ; although for the most part
\iu;!v»l.»t»nj;. and o|K-ning piclures(]ue vistas of more distant mountains
<»r hi!N, (iivcn the advantage of favourable weather, and facilities
Uff jr.akmjj cwufsions, rarely is the tourist through any part of the
<ounU- <Ji>apjM)mic<l. or not greatl)- pleased, with his drive, or ride,
of jK-tk~»tn.«n cwriisi-.
.\ti."jiii ihic natural curiosities of the Queen's County may be
jt.c:it:<>r.ctj ll»r .S.';/;-i'.'<i, a vorte.x within a small glen, near the rock
0} I hjn.im.isr. liirre an inconsiderable stream, almost dry in warm
\%c.ithrr. trickles through the narrow ravine, and disappears from
view \siiliiii the limestone rocks. .\fter heav)' rain, a considerable
]vA is JurinrtJ over the aperture, before it is swallowed down through
the siihtcrr.mean passage. Its further course has not been traced,
r)or is it known wIktc the stream emerges to light, after it has thus
iny.ttrrHJUsIy <lisapjH.-.ire<l. However, as the source appears to flow
lt«>m tlic Killealc and I )ysart Hills, which are well-known to be
t.ivcrnous beneath their surfaces, so it seems very probable, that
springs of water percolate through the rocks and form pools or courses,
wjjicli tind .subterranean ducts for their outfall.
Near tl)c vertex of Killone, a conical hill, near the Great Heath of
M.ir\lK)r(»ugh, the oj)ening to a cavern was discovered before the close
ci the eif^htecnth cenlur)-. This cavern slopes towards the centre of that
20 HISTORY OF THE QUEEN S COUNTY.
hill. The cleft at its entrance is narrow^ but at some distance, there
is a steep descent into a large saloon, about 20 ft. or 30 ft. in height,
and somewhat more in diameter.*^ On one side there is a dark and
dreadful percipice ; and when stones are thrown down into it, these
are heard about fifty or sixty fathoms deep splashing in a subter-
raneous lake or river, which is supposed to communicate with water
under the Great Heath of Maryborough.'^ When lighted only by a
few candles or torches, the cavern appears darlv and dismal, studded
with pendant and projecting rocks, which seem to threaten the spec-
tator with instant destruction ; yet, on being fully illuminated, those
horrors vanish, and give place to a most brilliant scene. Under sucli
conditions, the sides, roof, and every pointed rock, seem instantly
covered witli festoons and bouquets of pearls, diamonds, and rubies,
with every other kind of precious stone. Such appearance is caused
by drops of water issuing from the upper calcareous rocks, although
no incrustations are to be seen.^
The Dun of Clopooke, surmounted by a stone circumvallation on
top, is of limestone ; and the form is nearly circular. On one of its
sides is a large cavity, which diminishes in size, at some distance from
its entrance, and then a narrow fissure is said to lead into a cavern,
the branches of which have not yet been fully explored. Near this,
on the Dun of Luggacurran, it is said there is a cav<?6 ft. high by 4 ft.
at bottom and top.'-* Smaller clefts and cavities are known to exist
in other limestone districts throughout the county.
CIIAPTP:R IV.— Mountains and Hills.
The mountain range of Slieve-Bloom, formerly called Sliabh-
Bladhma, is on the boundary line between the King's and Queen's
Counties. Its gradual ascent, from the southern vicinity of Clonaslee
village in the barony of Tinnehinch, reaches for over thirteen miles,
chietiy bearing south-south-westward, towards the northern vicinity
of Roscrea town, at the northern extremity of the County of Tipperar\'.
It partly takes in the barony of Ballybrit in the King's County ; but
chiefly is it contained within the baronies of Tinnehinch, Upperwoods,
and Clandonagh, in the Queen's County. It occupies in part the
parishes of Letterluna, Kinnetty, Roscomroe, and Roscrea, in the
King's County. Within it also are the parishes of Kilmanman,
Rearymore, Rosenallis, Offerlane, and Kyle, in the Queen's County!
The respective altitudes of its chief elevations over the sea-level are
Spink, in the parish of Letterluna, 1,087 feet; CarroU's-Hill, in the
parish of Kinnetty, i ,584 feet ; a height on the boundary line JDetween
® See a description of this natural curiosity entrance into the first desccndinjj chamber
given in the " Anthologia Ilibernica," vol. and by llie light ofa candle had an opportunity
iii., in an ariicle on the Physical Geography of witnessing some of the phenomena
of Ireland, by a writer wlio signs himself described in the text ; yet the gloom was
Anibularius, January, No., 1794, p. 4. too great fully to realize all itsinteresting
' See Wm. Wenman Seward's " Topo- features, without mure sulhcient illuminatin'"
graph.ia Hibernica," at the word, Killone- appliances.
Hill. "See Daniel O'Byrne's " History of the
^ In his youthful days, the writer made his Queen's County," chap, v., p. 12
M"I-\T,\IN^ AND HILLS. 21
sJw {Mri^i.c o! Ixtrftiia\.i and OiR-rKmc is i,0(;j tect. On the line of
«J:\j^H:ri !»ct'.\tvri tf'.r jmi ;-!if^ »it KiiuicUy and (3llcrlane are Arderin
i»r*<! :»rv<j!l;rr ^vKIl:n!l n ^]<Htivfly 1,73 ^ and i/)'>i feet; P\'irbreague,
«,!.') tJw Ixuntd.irv \)i\c Ui-t-Atn-:! tin- ]).irishes of RDsconiroe and Oiferlane,
nvcAvviro J ,.;i J frrt J!'. .k!:it\ide ; .it the junelion o\ Robcomroe, Roserea,
;»;>! (,.):!rrl.i:ic r.i:j%V.«-s, l;;t:rc i>^ a lu-ii^ht of 1,3,^2 teet ; Knocknastumba
acvj a'.v>'A,(t Ur.j^'jiX. rr-^tKx lively 1,350 and i,2f)i feet, are in
K<-.-.ry:i» ■jr j».5mh , .\n!<«nian is in tlie parish of Rosenallis, and 1,114
i-ir'. , K-*-.'4:iTr.»,;}icon^ rssc-s on the boundary line between Rearyniore
jkjcj c>;;r;;.t;>r j.,irt>5^r> to a hei}j;ht of i ,()J0 feet; there is a height,
»n tliK- trj.trc oi l!ic jx.irish of Kilmanman, whieh attains an altitude
ti t X'^Jk Uri I ;i Isri'^ht is also on the boundary line between the
j«f'.»hc-» oJ OlVrl.mc and Kyle, reaching to 1,007 feet ; in the parish
i~i K<»*-<rrA tJ'.rrt* js an elevation rising to y^y feet. The Cones and
!?< K;«!i^*c of Capp.ird are two elongated heights, which extend
fc-jj^^'ivcly towards the cast, and along the boundary line between
iCrAfVfiunc .i:i<l OiYcrlane parishes • while they reach north-eastwardly
lxr;wrrn Ke.iryinorc and Rosenallis parishes ; the highest parts of
iL-cur r!<li.:y >ununiLs are respectively Bawnreaghcong and Antonian.
'I he r-uis^c is r><j cmitinvious and proportionately narrow, that it is
ir.ivcr«>cd or crossed only by two roads ; both of these lead through
1 >'\y rlev.itions or through very steep gaps ; the whoJje screen forms
a MTu-s <>! striking features and noble backgrounds for the great
ct.'i'.jal jt'ain wluch stretches far away from their base towards the
caNi. I-"ro:ii .Mountrath, and from various other localities on the Queen's
OnKity sjdi- ill their vicinity, the ascent is gradual and their summits
arc t-asil'.' rcaclu-d. From the Cones, the heights of Arderin, and
Tii.i:i\' <>;lu-r vantage-grounds, the\' command extensive and most
%aricil views of tlie lower l>'ing country beneath, and over which they
h.i\c a grand elevation, liven on the upper ridges are many fine views
0} solitary valleys within them. The Gap of Glendine, immediately
to tile north of Arderin, is the principal defile to afford a good road
Jx-tween the King's and Queen's Counties. This passage is difficult of
ajiproach.and the rise is a steep one; formerly it was not five feet wide
ii}H>n tlie bridle-path, but at present the road is sufficiently broad to
admit of travelling with ease. Owing to tlieir great extent and height,
tlie le.iding features of this district are possessed of every natural
Ix-auty peculiar to mountains ; in the variety of their conformation
and winding surfaces their scenery is calculated to excite pleasurable
emotions and admiration ; while their botany is well worth attention
hy the naturalist, and their varied strata still require investigation by
the geologist.^
Tlie mountain range which is denominated Slieve ^larague or
Sheve Margy is situated in the south and south-east of the Queen's
County. It is said to comprehend the ancient districts of Dunane,
Clogh, Shean Oghragh, Maragheigh, and Brenan. Their hills rather than
mountains have generally no extraordinary elevation. Three distinct
' Sir Charles Coote very prDpeily observes : of the Agriculture and Manufictures of
" A iiiiiiutc inspection of this great range of the King's County, with Observations on
inouDt.iin wouUl permit ample matter for the the Means of their Improvement, drawn up
»!lention of a professed mineralogist, and in the Year 1801. For the Consideration,
ilirow a liglit on that science in this country, and under the Direction of the Dublin
(i( what riches we may possess without Society." chap, i., sect 4, p. 10. Dublin,
knowing their value." " General View iSoi, 8vo.
■-'2 HISTORY OF THE QUEENS COUNTY.
•
ridges enclose in the northern extremities a plain considerably below
the vertex of the hills, yet much above the level parts of the adjacent
countries towards the north and east. The northern ridge, said ta
have been anciently denominated the Shean Oghragh, is composed of
calcareous stone, towards the vertex, on which is a moorish soil,
producing rushes and turf. Somewhat lower, towards the south, the
soil changes to a vegetable earth, fruitful in grass, meadow, and corn,,
intermixed with watery bog producing rushes, but no great quantity
of good turf. On this part stood an ancient forest traditionally called
Choille Oghragh.- The roots and trunks of trees unearthed lend
probabilit}' to that tradition. Between the site of that forest and the
moory land called Carragh, a kind of slate stratum is found, indicating
coals at no great depth. The coal stratum is found about six feet
beneath the surface, and it bears in the direction of the hill declivity.
However, it is not of a good quality, and in depth it is shallow. The
eastern district of Slievemargy is a rich and beautiful Ij.iclv-ground
portion receding from the valley of the Barrow, and it comprises
the parallel vale of the rivulet Fishoge ; but the middle and western
districts arc a series of uplands, so fused into their respective bases
as to make a tumulated tableau of from 500 to 830 feet of elevation
above sea-level. Clogrennan, from which most extensive views are
presented, rises to an altitude of 1,032 feet.^ The lijghest grounds on
the western border are two elevations of respectively 885 and Sgq
feet of altitude ; while on the southern border there is a mountain
reaching to 1,102 feet. Most of the uplands are of the coal formation,
and generally they have seams and beds of coal having such positions
and thickness, that they can be profitably turned to account by miners.
They constitute an important part of the great Leinster coalfield.
Beyond the site of Choille Oghragh, the stratum of coal dips from
six feet to five and eight fathoms, and in thicl-cness it varies from
twelve to twenty inches. It is covered with argillaceous eartli, and a
kind of argillaceous rockstone, with black slate and earth. Entering
on the lands of Clogh and Doonane, the ground is fertile, and tl-.e
coal dips to about twenty or twenty-eight fathoms. It varies from
twenty inches to over three feet in thickness, and it runs in a direction
nearly parallel with the horizon. Here, at about twelve fathoms beneath
the surface, a rock of whinstone has been discovered, and it rests on a
stratum of columnar basalt, which is perpendicular to the horizon.
The columns are from two to six feet in length, while the articulations
vary from three to six inches. They form both convex and concave
joints of an irregular pentagonal figure ; the sides in different joints
being plain convex and concave in shape. In several places, these
columns rest on a light grey and ferruginous rock or whinstone, and
on a slaty rock ; a vein of rich iron ore, parallel to the h.orizon, and
from one to three inches in thickness, extends beneath. Under the
iron a stratum of slate is found, and then a coal bed. A soft micaceous
slate stratum, ten or twelve fathoms deep, is under the coal-bed. A
hard rock through which no excavation has been attempted lies still
lower. Miners think that the great and principal coal-bed sinks
beneath this rock, and about fifty fathoms from the surface. In the
eastern ridge of Slievemarigue, called Brennan, a number of rich iron
' See the " Anthologia Ilibernica," vol. ii., ^ -St-e J^nies Fraser's "Hand I^uok fcr
July, 1793, P' 37- Travellers in Ireland," N(i. 12, p. i 1 1.
.\!.. TNT A INS AND illl.l> 23
iiiinrs iiavc Inxn <lis. ovcrcd 'll>c remains oi various shafts make it
c\Kir:U lJi.it tl.c->c iJuncs had been wroui^ht m some remote period,
4» 1.0 tradition rcinamcd even towards the close ol the eighteenth
triiUiry ot tlu-ir having l)ecn oix-ncd at any tormer time. It is probable
the ofc u.»'' not MTalted on the s[X)t, when extr.ielcd, but that it had
l^crii rcrr.ovcd to some more distant place, as no remains ot any furnace
I.A\«nn \Kci\ crtxli-d there can be found. Ownig to the (]uantity and
«>;i,»ii!v i.A the ore these mines .seem, uiuloubtediy, to merit the attention
^•j the ji.i:;c.'.ii<»j;i">l,' and the enterprise of the manufacturer and
uj>;t -li'- 't ....
|'i>.:;i the Sheveinar^fy range of mountain extends a chain of hills
in d t. -flh-wotwardly direction towards Stradbally and Ballykilcavan.
Ukx' K.i\c ^^raduai ascents and are of subdued altitude; but their
|-fous--.rj^' >» intersected with valleys of gentle undulation, and varied
Ihfou^'fiovit their whole extent. Belts of woodland occasionally inter-
%viic. .'«ful lend a .special feature of interest to the scenery. Towards
the south-west those hills form a connexion with what is known as
the Ih-x-^v and Timahoe chain, which swells out into many pleasing
i.:o«-jx-cts, enlivened by the slopes and surfaces dotted by numerous
l.^rm-hou^es and ruraf cottages. The picturesque hills in the parish
..', Jjy-.irt-gallen and around Ballynakill are ot minor elevation, and
l.^r the most part capable of held cultivation. Their^declivitics usually
retire to banks of the l;eautiful Owenbeg River, or to tlie streams that
form its manv aftUients.
The rugged chain of Dysart Hills commences at the Rock of Duna-
iiiase and'^continues in a southward course to Lamberton Demesne,
wliere they terminate at Crosby Duff Plill. Their broken and irregular
outlines are studded with furze and thorn brakes, the natural products
()! their lime-stone formation ; and while the traveller on the high-road
iKlwecn Dublin and Cork admires the diversity of view they present
on the western side, nearly in a parallel direction but at a still greater
distance towards the east, the line of vision is closed by the far-reaching
and gracefully declining slopes of the Fossey mountain chain. The
intermediate spaces are covered with well-cultivated farms and com-
fortable homesteads. The Cullinagh Mountains— hardly deserring
this popular nomenclature owing to their secondary height and gradual
.^^^;^.,^t^_.^I-e a link of three well-distinguished summ;ts, yet united b\-
elevated connecting grounds. From Sliabh Dubh or the BlacK
Mountain in the east, they take partly an eastern direction towards
Kilwhelan, and terminate at the Rock of Cashel— a lime-stone crag,
and locally known by that name.
The celebrated Rock of Dunamase, with its crowning ruins, stands
quite isolated from the opposing range of Kilteale hills, covered with
copse-wood on the east. Fine pasturage is to be found for cattle and
sheep, even on the upper grounds, and the ascent is gradual ; while
thickets of hazel and hawthorn prevail to an extent, which renders
the passage of way-farers difhcult except through tlie paths opened
by flocks and herds. To the west and extending northwards is a chain
of curiously detached hills, which terminate at the double-coned 1 1 ill
*Thc writer in llie "Anthologia Ililjernica," tends witliin six miles of the place, whereby
witli very just observation, adds tliat " if the an easy conveyance nii-Iit be had, not only
neighbouring turf and coal could not be for the produce of the mines, but for such
cliaried to answer tlie purpose ot materials as would be necessary for their
smelting, a branch of the Grand Canal e\- manufacture."— Vol. ii., July, 1793. I'- 3^-
24 HISTORY OF THE QUEKN'S COUNTY.
of Killonc. This latter was once delightfully ccvcrcd with plantations
over a great part of its extent, to those who recollect the scene — not
many years remote froni our time — but the present bald and naked
appearance of the scrubby surfaces presents only a scene of desolation
and a feeling of deep regret for the destroyed Sylvan coronet.
In the parish of Aughmacart, and in the extreme southern part
of the Queen's County is the Cullohill range — so called from the name
of that village — and it separates Kilkenny County along that frontier.
Swelling out over a very considerable distance, the eminences are all
easy of access and the gradients are never very steep throughout that
district. Some small hUls south of Portarlington have summits rising
from 300 to 400 ft., but large portions of the district around — especially
south and west of the Barrow— are flat and covered with peat bog,
the dreary surface of which is somewhat relieved by tracts of wood
about Emo, Shane, and Ballybrittas. Many other beautiful eminences,
which hardly deserve the name of hills, may be seen scattered here
and there throughoi.ft various districts of the Queen's County,
CHAPTER v.— Rivers, Lakes, and Water Courses,
The Barrow is the longest, widest, and deepest river in the county ;
while, for a considerable portion of its course, lumber boats carrying
heavy freights ply on its waters, ^ especially from Athy to Carlow, and
downwards to New Ross, where steamers and sloops arc found to
reach Waterford.- A small brook, which is fed by some springs^ north
of Barna, and at a height of 1,500 ft. over the sea-level, may be considered
the head water of the River Barrow, which gradually increases in size,
fed by several small streams which fall into Glenbarrow. At the foot
of the hills, and near Rathcoft'ey bridge, the Glenlahan River falls into
the Barrow. Thence it runs in a northerly direction to the east side
of Monettia Bog, where it curves round to the south-east, leaving the
district north-east of Mountmellick. Gathering its confluents in the
barony of Tinnehinch, the Barrow takes a sinuous eastward course in
the plains beneath the Slievc Bloom mountains, and a little north of
Mountmellick it receives, at a height of 235 ft., the Ovvenass stream,
which flows through that town. The Owenass rises east of Baunreagh-
cong, at a height of 1,450 ft., and runs down the east sideofSlieve Bloom.
Near that point, also, the Barrow forms the boundary line between
the King's and the Queen's County, flowing through a level district
of country on towards Portarlington, until it enters the County of
Kildare and onwards to Monasterevan ; it thence turns southwards
and proceeds through a flat surface of country, through callow meadows
and marshes, which are often greatly flooded, especially in the winter
months, or when heavy rains prevail m the Slieve Bloom mountains.
' The Barrow Nnvi(^;ition Company, char- the amount of tolls £4,666. During late
tered by an Act of the Irish Parliament, years, the iniflic and tolls have very consider-
expended nearly £42,000 before the year ably diininishcd.
iSil in building locks and dams, as also in ^ The well of Sliabli Bladhma, or Slieve
cutting short canals to improve llie naviga- Bloom, was regarded as the river Barrow's
tion of the river, and up to 1(538, the sum source. A legend states that if any person
expended was £177,852. In the year iSoo, touched, or even gazed upon it, the sky
the tonnage was 19,828 tons, and the amount poured down torrents of rain, until the tutelary
of tolls was £1,405. spirit of the spring had been propitiated. See
" In 1S55, the tonnage was £66,084, and the " Dublin Illustrated Journal," No. 4, p. 5^.
4
B
IIH: NORi: A I DIRUOW
?%>?-*»:.
%-
.-,'*"^/. r'i3*'fe>rtu^wl;v''-:^srnS^E5fci>ii\'i
\'m1. I.
THi: ROCK OF- [)UiNAAlASK.
(l''riuii ('ivo.sr's Aiili.jiii/i, i).
'■^U^- 7:
RIVERS, LAKES AND WATER COURSES. 2 i,
In the upper glens and water-courses, the waters are precipitated over
rugged beds of sandstone rocks and boulders, and sometimes through
steep gorges over limestone gravel. Afterwards, the waters spread
out and move slowly through the level plains, where they become
sinuous, and in places they are deep, while in others ordinarily they
are fordable. However, along the champaign courses are high banks
and hills, woods and demesnes, as also cultivated and pasture fields, to
form a succession of highly-pleasing and beautiful landscapes. The
Little Barrow and its tributary the Feagile ioin in the vicinity of
Monasterevan, and various other streams unite as the Barrow flows
southward. From Monasterevan to Athy, the Grand Canal from
Dublin continues along the west side of the River Barrow, and near
its banks, with some slight deflections from their sinuosity. After
leaving Athy, the Barrow still bounding the Counties of Kildare and
the Queen's County takes its course southwardly to Carlow, where it
has a height of 152 ft. above the sea-level.'* Thence this river cotinues to
Leighlin Bridge, Bagnalstown, Graiguenamanagh and New Ross,
di\'iding the County of Kilkenny from the Counties of Carlow and
Wexford, and it receives the Suir below Waterford, entering the sea at
the opening of Waterford Harbour.^ It abounds in tish, esi^ecially
salmon, towards its mouth ; but, of late years, the supply of hsh has
been greatly diminished, and this is stated to hate been occasioned,
chiefly owing to an increase of pike in its waters, and that species is
well known to anglers, as being most destructive among the more
valuable products of the finny tribe.
The next longest and most considerable river and running for a
considerable distance wathin the Queen's County is the Nore, formerly
called the Neure, or Oure.^ Its rise is from a small spring in the barony
of Ikerrin, County of Tipperary, and thence it flows in a north-east
course through a level tract of country. Near its source, a little south-
ward from Roscrea, the River Nore passes through a waste tract of
bog — which had been formerly an extensive lake — and from which
ancient boats have been dug up by turf-cutters. Some portions of it still
remain constantly under shallow water. It enters the Queen's County
near Borris in Ossory, and afterwards receives as its first chief affluent
the Tonet River, rising on the southern slopes of the Slieve Bloom
Mountains ; thence it proceeds in a devious course to the village of
Castletown, below which it receives the Shannon — sometimes called
the Mountrath — River, as passing through that town. This latter
has its source in the Slieve Bloom Mountains. Thence the Nore flows
southwards through the city of Kilkenny, and ioins the River Barrow
above New Ross, in the County of Wexford.
The Tonet River takes a solitary and rapid course thi-ough the
mountain glens and valleys of southern Slieve Bloom. The Tonet
rushes through lonely dells uncommonly romantic, and passing
Annatrina's ancient cemetery, it unites with the River Nore, about a
mile below the small village of Coolrain. Notwithstanding the wild
scenery along its banks, seldom does the tourist wander to its solitary
sources, although the excursion must afford delight and enjoyment to
the lover of nature in her most lonely haunts. The River Tonet gathers
■•See Geological Sheet, No. 137. denomination llirLjus or Brigus.
* On I'tolomy's ancient Map of Ireland, the "^ According to lioate's " Ireland's Natural
Barrow is supposed to be described by the History," Cliaj). viii., Sect. 2, p. 63.
26 HISTORY OF THE QUEEN S COUXTV.
ft
some smaller rills from the south-western summits of the Slievc Bloom
Mountains, while it rolls throut^^h several pretty valleys and ^lens in
an easterly direction, until it joins the Delour River below Coolrain
village, in the parish of Offerlane. The district around is mostly
broken and pastoral, and the scenery along its banks is remarkable
for variety and beauty. Although in tine seasons of the year, the
stream is inconsiderable, yet after heavy rains, it pours along in deep
and rapid torrents. The Mena stream is a clear mountain rivulet,
which after a short course joins the River N()re. Hence a townland
bears the name Menadrochid, which signilies " Mcna-bridge," as
doubtless one had crossed the stream in ancient times. The Delour
River and its various branches, coming from the upper middle heights
of the Slieve Bloom Mountains, through some picturesque defiles and
scenery along its course, falls into the River Tonet a little below Coolrain.
Some of the atlluents of the .Silver River, which flows into the great
River Shannon, have their rise on Slieve Bloom Mountains, in the
north-western angle of the Queen's Cc^unty.
The Rix'cr li^rkina, collecting various streams which unite west of
Rathdowney, Hows tlience eastwardly towards Castle Durrow, and
passing this town, it falls into the River Nore, near Ball)'ragget. Its
course lies through an interesting and a fertile but level country ;
while it presents a beautiful appearance, especially in the deniesne
near Castle Durrow, and through the County of Kilkenny. The River
Goul, coming from Aghmacart southwards, joins it on the right bank.
The River Gully rises in the low-lying bogs near Aghaboe, and after-
wards it takes a southern course, until it unites with the River Erkina,
about one mile east of Castle Durrow. Some pleasing scenery may be
found, especially along its lower bed.
The streams of less considerable volume and course are the Douglas
Rjver, which takes its rise in the Slievemarigue range of mountains ;
and running eastwardl}' it falls into the River I^arrow, about two
miles north of Carlow town. In a south-east course the Fuer stream
joins it. The Fishoge River also comes from the .Slievemarigue hills-
and take a south-easterly course falling into the River Barrow about
three miles south of Carlow. The Bautcogue River rises in the moun-
tains near Timahoe, and, joined by a stream coming from Luggacurran,
i:)assing northwards through Stradbally, it thence turns eastwards, and
falls into the Barrow, about three miles north of Athy town. The
Knocklead River rises in a small stream on the south side of Fossey
Hill, and in a succession of small cascades, it takes a southern direction
to join the River Nore. The Trilogue River rises in low marshy ground
south of r^laryborough, and passmg northwards through that town,
it joins the Owcnass River, about one mile east of Mountmellick town.
From the northern slopes of the Collieries Mountains, dividing the
Queen's County from the County of Kilkenny, several small streams
tiow down their respective deep channels in a succession of tiny water-
falls, and then unite to form the picturesque and rapid current, known
as the Owenbeg or Avonbeg, the English rendering of which means
" The Little River," This stream flows through a deep and charming
valley, on all sides shaded with aged hawthorn liedges and trees,
sending forth a delicious fragrance, especially in the May month,
when their bloom is at the full, and when primroses in fine blow enamel
all the banks. One of the most romantic of mountain rivers is the
Owenbeg, as it flows in rapid courses through the valley in which
RIVERS, LAKES, AM) WATER COURSES. 2"
the ruined church of D\'sart Gallon may still be seen. Afterwards, it
llcjws southwards through the beautiful demesne of Heywood," near
Hallinakill, and by the old church of Kilcronan, until it joins the
River Xore, near Rosconncll, in the County of Kilkenny. The little
Derryvarragh River rises near the great heath of Maryborough, and,
taking aii eastern course by Morett Castle, it flows through a flat
couutiA' and joins the River Barrow beside the remarkable Fort of
Dunroily. Many of the minor streams, tributary to the foregoing,
.ire hardly deserving of special description or notice. ^Minnows and
Miiall li^h are common enough in all of those water-courses. In many
ol tho-^e streams, and especially in the larger rivers, the fresh water
tmut abounds, and eels are numerous, especially in the deep pools,
and along t!ie sedgy banks, where the current is slow or nearly stagnant.
The on!)- natural sheet of water, which includes many acres, is
Aimaghmore Lough, on the northern boundary of Tinnehinch barony,
and tlirough the centre of which passes the dividing line between the
King's and Queen's Counties. It has a measured area of 207a. ir.
•mrl i.;p. It lies about seven miles north-west from Mountmellick.
It re(.ei\cs the (h'ainage of about 4,000 acres of swamp and bog-land ;
but, tiir the ini)>t pari, it is very shallow, and there was a crannoge on
.iti I-! ind \sithin the lough. On the northern side of this island, over
I'i'.e liu;;dred pili-s of timber were dri\-en down artit"icially and in regular
lnif> II. to the ^otl mould or mud beneath, and st)nre ol these lound
iijirootfd --howeil th.it the ends had l)een pointed by some sharp instru-
!;u-:it j"/--;b]\- with ^mall iron hatchets, uhuh ha\'e been ioimd near
ti.i: ^;'"t. I lie a\rra;,.;e di.iinrter o! thi- ])ik-^ was only about 5 in., and
^;A.l<(•■. "1 .itxuit J !t. were b-.t\seen each jmiU-. 1 here is a half-submerged
■<;.«'»• U-'tv.e-ii ti.e i-i.md and the ^hore, >tiewn with stones and broken
ip;'.::.', v. i,;le .1 Sew pik> were to be seen among this debris. Closel}'
^'ij<-;:i:j.f.;. "-i::-.': uiil-bui in. d l)ricks, both whole and broken, were
r.i!ni;i(.! \\:\\\ tlie stones." Kcinains ot .ui oak traming o\er the piles
Kavc Wtt. cl:s< Kivcrcd. hkewi-e, on that inland.
t h-«r!frol l»y an Act ol the \x\s\\ Parliament, towards the close of
the I-j^.'};lrci!Th Crnliiry, the (Irand Canal Company was formed to
j>fo;u<?:r i!,!.i:id n.ivigation. and as a means to develop local resources
.«Jul tr.i<lr. "^'t^x .liter il leaves Mona^terewan, the Grand Canal takes
.« ?«iu!kcr:! i;i)urM.-, .uid cros-ing the Ri\er Harrow b\' a handsome and
\\t!l-!»wjl{ .iiju.idvul NU])iwnted on several arches, it enters the Queen's
Cotjjiiy, following \er_\' clo>el)' tlie direction of the River Barrow's flow,
.in<l ujth icw .Nimiosities along its western bank, to the tt)wn of Athy.
Il'.e tt.ui through which it passes is almost a tlead level, and the soil
!•> alluvs.il. A br.iiieli of the Grand Canal extends to Mountmellick.
'liic (-i.-.e.Iy ai'.;iiifc<! ilcinr^nc of I ley- was ihe compliincnUiry soubriquet liestowcd
v»i«h|, \»l,:cli (.iiiu-fly U-!..i;t;ol to M. K. upon the cicML^noi- in I lie u.u licr p.iii of tlic last
I'fci.c.'i, Kvj., mwl \*lii,li rc'ltcl.-, .so much Cfiilury. .V huaiuilully-illiisiiatol work,
. iiclit uii ;!,c t.ire atnl .>kill tii-iil.vvcii in iis cniiiloi, "Ticncli's \'iL-ws of Ilrywuoil,
l-riu.ition. is vit;i.i;ctl ..ri the ri^;lii lank of the (Juccn'h Cr>uiuy," contains twcnty-loiir ex-
' ivsniU-j;; Ki\cr. Its ch.imuiig hi'-.-.-lrts ai\(i (|ui>itc plates, cLchoil by tliu cekhralcd
ishmds aic due lo artilinal arrran^^cincnt, eni;r.ivir, Ihocas. Within the demesne there
whde v.iii 'Us works of art had Ix-cii .set u|) in is a chalylje.Ue sprin;.,', and this lovely spot is-
proiiiini-m j)ositi.)nM l^y the former propiie- fre(nienliy resorted to by jileasure j'ai 1 i. s.
lor, wlio contrived to brint; every adjiuu t of ^ See Lie ulenanl-Coloiiel W. (i. Wood-
.1 naturally pictures>jue .siirl'.i'-e-soil into pro- Martin's "Lake U\vcllinL;s of lielarul; or
mincnt rehe!. The UiM«liatid.-, and their aiiciciU Lacustrine Habitations of lirin,
)iroduc!s, as i^roiijied, add no sni.dt .iltr.iclion commonly called Crannoijs," pari ii., pp.
to llir varied i;roun<is. The " classic TrenciT' 20^, 200.
2-8 IIISTOKV OF THE QUEEN S COUN'l V.
CHAPTER YL— Botany— Trees and Shrubs.
In prc-historic times, nearly the whole surface of the Queen's
County was covered with woods and forests ; and down to the middle
of the sixteenth century, their growth was dense in most of the districts.
Of those primeval woods few^ traces now remain, except in the demesnes
and pleasure-grounds of large proprietors. Some considerable tracts
at Ballykillcavan, near Stradbally, and in the demesnes of Lord
De Vesci, near Abbeyleix, of Lord Portarlinglon, Lmo Park, and of
Sir Algernon Coote, Ballyfm, are yet covered with a natural growth
of trees, sprung from the primeval forests, and never artificially planted.
To these have been added, at later periods, ornamental forest-trees
and shrubs, especially in the pleasure grounds of enclosed demesnes
and gardens.
An old map is to be found in the British Museum, which pourtrays
the principal features of Leix and Ophaly, as these territories appeared,
?bout the middle of the sixteenth century. Among the few ancient
maps, which serve to elucidate the topography of the dilTerent places
in Ireland, and which exist in various libraries and depositories of
records, not one — so far as our knowledge extends — ec]uals this in
point of completeness, and of interest to Irish topogrq,phical students
and archajologists. It presents the picture — although not an exact
one — representing a region, almost in a state of nature, inhabited
chiefly by the pastoral aboriginal husbandmen, or clans and wood-
kerne. The broad features of this chart are the natural ones, such as
the huge and wide movmtains of Slievebloom and Slievecomar or
Slievemarigue. Primeval forests, like those denominated, " the Great
Wood," and extensive heaths, or morasses, such as those called Frugh-
more, or " the Great Heath," near Mar)'borough, are found inter-
spersed on the surface of the Leix portion. The courses of the principal
rivers and streams seem depicted with a considerable approach to
accuracy, and at a time, too, when geological and topographical surveys
were in their mfancy. It is sufficiently apparent, from internal and
other evidence, that this Cottonian Chart had been compiled about the
year 1563. The map-designer does not seem to have penetrated
within those almost virgin forests, which might well be regarded as
tlie " backwoods " of the Pale. The sylvan condition of that whole
extensive region of country is somewhat remarkable, and it indicates
the want of a sufficient population. Several notices of " the great
wood of Ofaly " could be cited. The traveller Moryson, mentions it
as singularly vast and wild. The entire region of Iregan is found
almost in a condition of waste ; and traditionally, it is said to have
been a continuous forest of oak, of wild pine, and of yew trees. A
glance at the chart, preserved in the British IMuseum, shows that in
this instance popular report, over three centuries ago, had not been
erroneous. The bottom of Lough Anna, a mountain lake on the
side of Slieve Bloom, is nearly covered with oak and yew, l>'ing there
horizontally, and with many roots or stumps yet adhering to the
moory and soft soil.^
^ See the Rev. John Baldwin's " -Stai islical Account, or Parocliial Survey of Ireland."
Account of Roscnallis," sec. i., p. 314, in vol. This last volume was published in the yoar
iii of Wilham Shaw Mason's " Statistical 1819 at Dublin.
r.OTAXV— TKKKS AND SHRUBS. 29
*
In a \'a!uablc conlribuliun to tliis chapter, by Dr. Edward Perceval
\Vrit;ht, Professor of liotanyiii Trinity Collet;e, Dublin, he remarks, "it is
probable that in pre-historic tinies the siu'tace of the Queen's County,
like the rest of Ireland not under water, was covered with vegetation.
The mountain tops were clad in a garment of golden furze (^U/cx
EiirofHVHs) and ]3ur]:)le heather (Ciilluiui), mixed with brambles and
" fraechans " (l\i<bi 0/ I ' iUciiiiuDi >nyr(illus). The sides of the hills
v.ere cl.ui with forests of oak (Ouerrus rob/n), elm (Ul-nius canipcstris),
ash 'i'raxinus (Jtnns, and bn-ch (Inttthi d lb a), with, here and there
llie ■' rowan tree " (Scibu\ u.:, :i /\:> I'a}. Down in the valleys and along
the ri\i.r .side-i were tangled ma--es ot Hazel, SalUnvs, Plawthorn and
l-.\ik-v l)Ushes. lloll)- and 1\\- ;id(.led to the verdure of the scene.
There s,e-ins little dt)ubt. but tliat here and there groups of Fir trees
il'iir.is S\h(S,'n's) lined the si,k-> ot the shallow loughs^ but although
nuuu-ioro slumps ot tln'-- lives iiave been dug up from bogs, yet,
Di . ji';.i.e nienti<)i>_ th.it this liee has not gi\en name to many places
in luiind, tr'.ni \\ ir.ih it is fair to as-,inne, that m ancient times it
u.is U' .1 \er)- al)un<i.int. < )t all the other trees above enumerated,
tittui- i..ti!u-s arc not only \i\ existence, but these have become incor-
}>'r.iti'(i Hito place-ii.inirs. as may be strikingly seen in Dr. P. Joyce's
It tsh n.i:nrs of I'laics."*
In x\iV I.ibr.ir)- «'l IrinitS' ColIeLje,^ Dublui, then^ is a copy, appar-
cnlK' di.iun (io!n a ;;uij> of I,cix, Ulaly, Irry, Clanmalier, Iregan, and
^Iu-\ :i;.n ^.;%\ lias l.itter xfins lo Ix: of a more ancient date than that
iiNlr.cIU' !"iirid mthc (.'"Uoni.iM l.'"llevti(iniif the ihilish .Musevun. Besides
Xhc or.r j:j Inm'y ("<'!!t"^^c Library exhibits some local denominations,
y.i ;oj» r, .»;:'i whuis it. id l>feii tra<.ed in the lime of Queen Elizabeth.'^
it-i r.-^jj i!» i.oluu:c>i. while the denominations are more clearly and
i»f firstly '.ur;!;.:!}, ti..in arc liioNC on that preserved in the great London
|{.f ;.»/'..!; :v* Uv-i! ,i:4>H-i»t map, likewise, is significantly and appro-
|/ti-»!'-Iv Ju/.rJ. ihc iiiouutauis are represented by a brown hue;
U*c tr.r:» j'*>.r}\c .» l'!iu- tin^e ; the woods are light green ; the arable
"f M ;;> t«r,ir{r»^ l.uaL arc a greenish \-ellow ; the bogs are coloured
vii:h A !;»;';.: purple; lisc pastures are uncoloured ; while the passes
or tv;i!:c T'l-uuS arc r:i.iikcil b_v short straight lines, which are cast in
' ** !< «» ]'~'^iyZ^. l.-at iciy much of il.L- iiiarc;e, inhabited alsoe by the O' Mores, Glen-
{wvoriil »r;^i:u.;i ,<i <nt:cJ m th': Qutcn's lualire O'Dcmsic's country, p.irt wliereof is
t'..'»f.:ii ! 1 ihc Kiwiilir of the sixUciilh cen- in the King's County, Irogan and O'Doync's
Jaty. 1/ t", ii.»_T l<r ;-.;jl,;r.! ir .!;i jti .MuiL-nt map countrye."
it) ji-r O-!'. MAJ> cn/llcctturi in the British ■* Sec a description of it in "Transactions
Mavf-L,;.i. . T^.u. CrilUtr.! -.iitha cujiy in tlie of tlie Royal Irish Academy," vol. xiv., a.d.
I.j!.i.uv .4 Tiir.-.iv Conc,;c, Dublin, by the 1S25. Anliiiuilies. James Ilardiman's paper,
Ia:c n-il<ft K. l( ic, ua* publi-ihetl in jfjc- " .\ Catalugue of Jvlaps, Charts, and Plans,
j:"ii.'e ill the "J"-.u.".a1 of th.; Royal .Swclety relating to Ireland, preserved among the
of Air.i'j'.utio •-•f Ircbind," new seiies, vui. manuscripts, in the Library of Trinity College,
iv., p. 545>. Ti.c ^[►>;^ iuh.ibu-'d \vere Dublin, with Preliminary Observations," p. 64.
mere ?i;'cc'k-> in a d- :iic l.in/.lc o! wood. ^ The late Herbert F. Hore, Esq., has
Iui;;libh axes m.idc an uiicctsing warfare publislied a facsiniili of this ancient map,
a-.iinbt his!) trees, t!u- deni.md fur Iri>h oak collated with the one in Trinity College
being ver\' great. The in^nwurks ol the Library, with accom[)anving valuable notes,
W.'.ndeifordc.i used up Wix^-Js of consider.djle in " The Journal of the Kilkenny and South-
extent, which at one time existed in the neigh- East of Ireland Archaiological Society," vol.
lx)urhood of Durrow." iv.. New Series, pp. 345 to 372.
•■ It belongs to the manuscript deixirtment '^ \ facsimile was kept in the Museum of
of the Library. To th.it nia|) this note is the Kilkenny Arch:eologicaI Society, which
.ippcndcd : "The Queen's County consists has Ijeen so laudably and creditably arranged
oi Lca\-, anryentlve O'Mme's land-,, Slew- in t!ie city just named.
30 HISTORY OF THE OUFEN'S COUXTY.
L^rcy.'' Among- the most dangerous tleliles, lor an invader of this
territor}', were two passes in P'ecmore, wliich was situated within
O'Morye's country, towards the commencement of the sixteenth
century." Fiadh-mor signifies the " great wood." If the value of
this rudely-formed chart to chorograpliers of those countries it depicts
could be questioned, we need only cite the elaborate "Annals of the
Four Masters," so ably edited by the late Dr. O'Donovan. By tlie
frequency of reference, that eminent topograplicr makes to it, we
may well imagine, how useful he considered it, as serving to illustrate
historical records.
On the old map of Leix and Ophaly, preserved in Trinity College,
and made before Ely O'Carroll was reduced to shire ground, the
territory of Leix is represented as extending in length, from the river
which rises at Morett and falls into the Barrow, opposite the fort of
Dunrally, onwards to the River Douglas, which empties into the
Barrow, a short distance to the south of Grange or Monksgrange,
near Carlow. In breadth, Leix extended from the River Barrow,
separating it from the counties of Kildare and Carlow, to the River
Nore, which divided it from Ossory, the territory of MacGiolla Patrick.
The principality of Leix, therefore, must have comprised the present
baronies of Maryborough, East and West, Stradbally, Cullenagh, and
Ballyadams.*^ On this map, the barony of Slievemarigue does not
appear to have been included in Leix, according to Dr. O'Donovan ;'■'
t)Ut I must confess, I am at a loss to discover his grounds for this
opinion. On referring to the copy, traced from the Trinity College
map, and appended to the manuscript volume, as also to the succeeding
sketch by Dr. O'Donovan himself, I hnd no indication of any
intention to exclude .Slievemarigue from Leix on the plan, but cjuite
the reverse. ^^ Dr. O'Donovan also states, tliat the statute 3 and 4 of
Philip and Mary seems to separate Slievemarigue from the district of
Leix. liowever, Slievemarigue was incorporated within the present
Queen's County, although it is said to have been a lordship, situated
in the County of Carlow, A.D. 1553," wlicn llie king's title to the lands
of Killishen was sought to be proved.'-' That hne district, formerly
called Laeighs or Leix, and including the greater part of the present
Queen's County, has a claim on our notice, being endowed by nature
with a fruitful soil, and forming, as English colonists thought it, in
the beginning of the seventeenth century, and even earlier, an
" exceedingly pleasant " tract, " well sorted with woodes and playnes."'^
In the seventeenth century, many of the Queen's County woods were
deforested, while in the beginning of the eighteenth century, leases
" Sec the description in Chief Baron Fin- " See Incjuisitions. T.agenia.
ylas' " Breviatc of Ireland," written in I i;2g. '- Prior to llie Englisli invasion, Slieve-
** The barony of Portnaliinch, formei ly a marigue or Shevcmargio, was called Ily-
district belonging to the O'Dunnes, and the Mairche. See Grace's "Descriptive and
liarony of Tinnahinch, the country of the Architectural Sketch of the Grace Mausoleum
(J'Dcmpsies, were a portion of the territory in the (Queen's County," note ]). 7.
of Ui Failghe — at least in medi;uval times. 1^ See in the "Tracts relating to Ireland,"
" See his Letter, among the Ordnance vol. ii. John Dymniok's " Treatise of lie-
Survey Manuscripts, relating to the Queen's land, written about A.D. 1600, and edited
County, in vol. ii., at p. 112. with notes, by the Rev. Richard Butler,
'"The initial large letter of Leix, charac- A.B., M.K.I. A., for the Irish Arciiaiological
teiising the division, falls within the boundary Society. The original is preserved in the
lines of Slievemarigue, in the Ordnance Sur- British Museum.
vey Manuscript trace.
r.OTAXV— IRKl-S AND SIIRI'HS. ^I
were rrrantcd on many propcrlies, it bcin<^ stipulated, that the tenants
shciukl cut, burn, or destroy several acres of wood, to clear their lands
for tlie plou<;h. Oak was the natural growth of the mountains and
uplands ;" lirs and alders studded the bogs and marshes ; in the most
barren and rocky sjx:)ts heaths and briars grew in abundance ; yet,
nearlv ever)- species of tree known in these temperate regicjns seems
to have been indigenous, as roots and trunks of all descriptions have
been foimd. Towards the close of the eighteenth century, several of
the local gentry re^olved on making amends lor the bare appearance
ot v.irious siie> (july valuable lor planting ; but still, large ranges of
landscajK- are unlurnished with the shelter and ornament of trees,
allh()i:gii uuol ot the fields are surrounded by excellent ditches and
hl■dge-r(>w■^, the litter usually composed of hawthorn. ^^ Dr. Wright
■>t.ile--. that " iii the seventeenth century many trees and shrubs were
intnxhiced into Ireland and were planted in the pleasure grounds of
the wealth)- proprietftrs, among them the Larch, Spruce, and Chestnut.
l*"lowering Slirubs, such as Lilac and Laburnum, were eilso planted,
but these recent importations left no marked impress on the features
of the country. .Among fruit trees there was but a small selection,
.Apple orchards aboimded and the Irish name for Apple enters largely
uito local names. Hazel nuts abounded and were stored as an article
of |cx)d. '1 he absence of Squirrels may be noticed. Cerries of many
kinds were to be gathered, among which the " frochans and black-
lH.Tries formed a great part." To Mr. James Mulhall, Pass House,
Marylxirough, the writer is indebted for the following list of the best-
known trees and shrubs in the Queen's County, to which Dr. Edward
!*crccval Wright has appended, in the most obliging manner, the
Latin scientific names, and the dates for introduction of some species ;
while the learned and researchful work^*^ of the Rev. Edmund Hogan,
.S.J., lately published, has supplied the equivalent terms and in varied
forms from the Irish language.^"
'* T!ic riHits of oak trees havf fVeqiicntly have been cut down ; nor have these beer.
Ix'cn dug (roin the sub-soil of the SHeve re])l iced even by cnpse-wood.
Muri^;ue mountain range, as also from the ^'' See ttiibLe<.\b|UMi : " Irish and Scottish
v.irious bo-',. The deiKJsiis of deal orpine Gaelic Names of Herbs, Plants, Trees,"' etc.,
trees arc also veiy numerous— and in many by Fr. Edmund IIoL;an, S.I. , K.R.U.I., D.
ca,ses well preserved — as fuimd in the Litt., John Iloi^an, 15. A., |ohn C. MacErlean,
peat. S.J. Dublin, 1900, Svo.
" In 1841, it has been ascertained, tliat in '^ The first to present the Irish-Gaelic
the Queen's County there were 1,413 acres names of trees and plants for the study of
of continuous woods, and 11,488 detached botanists and the public was Caleb Threlkekl,
trees of oak ; 95 acres and 121,959 detached born in Cumberland, Ent^land, in 1676. He
trees of ash; 2 acres and 21,323 detached became a Dissenting Minister and a Medical
trees of elm ; 40 acres and 33,030 detached ■ Doctor in 1712. A lover of Natural History,
trees of beech ; 1,536 acres and 46,690 he removed to Dublin, and published by
dctaclied trees of fir. Besides those of mixed subscription, " Synopsis Stir])ium lliberni-
planiations, there were 8,123 acres and carum, alphabetice dispositarum, sive Com-
134,663 detached trees, together with 421 mentatio de Plantis Indigenis, pncscrtim
acres and 3,862 detached trees of orchards. DuMiniensibus, Instituta," 1727, Dublin,
In all, there were 1 1,630 acres of continuous i2nio. He died in 1728, and was interred
woods and 373,015 detached trees, equivalent in the new burial ground belonging to St.
to 2,331 acres. The firegoing summary Patrick's Cathedral. His materials were
makes a total of growing timber comprising drawn chiefly from a manuscript in his pos-
13,961. Of later years, no return has been session, which seemed to him written before
procured; but, it is safe lo state, the the war of 1641, and containing about 407
quantity of timber now remaining has con- Irish and Latin or English names of trees,
siderably diminished, while numbers of shrubs, plants, herbs and flowers, distin-
forest trees, and even whole plantations, guishing the Ulster, Leinsler, Connacht,
32 IJISTORY OF THE QUtEN'S COUNTY.
Aider (Alnus glutinosa), j\uAim, ve'»^r'i. peA(\no5, cn*.\nn pe^jinSige.
Almond (Amygdalus communis), introduced about middle of Six-
teenth Century, ^Almoin, AMiniintie65.
Apple (Pyrus Malus), xibAll, Cjic\nn iibAll, cuAob uGlAnn, uIjaLI.
Aspen (Populus tremula), cjuNnn C]uc, ciiAnn chici'acIi, C]\.\nn C]vicif\.
Ash (Fraxinus excelsior), pumnfe, puninfe.\ii, |.Hinini'eu5, oiniij^e^ln,
oinnfcOg, uinniup, unin]'tvAnn, unin]^enn.
Ash-mountain (Pyrus aucuparia), cjiAnn CAOi\c*Mnn.
Beech and varieties (Fagus sylvatica and varieties), tie^ACoj, beit n*.\
ineA]^ C|\Aiin |:Ar6tJiLe, CjA^nn i^LeA.\ni.\ni; ciu\ob p.MDiLe, |-V\gbAipcne,
•j.v\ii)5il,e, ^'e^xjvX.
Birch (Betula alba), be^t-^, be^\tA5, beic, beiceo5, ci\^\nn beice, cuAOb
beice, o]\uni,
Blackberry (Rubus fruticosus), Dpif, -Diiipeog, r^eAcb c.\ln'K'>n, luf n^
Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa), •oiiAije^in, T))u\ij;neACli, X)i\.M5ne».An,
•on^Mjtiebj, fgeACb "onb
Buckthorn (Rhamnus frangula and Rhamnus cathartica), jiAiii-unoi-
ge.\ti, bi\eAn^\T)]UMn, b]\en-tib<.\lL, humdc buen.
Chestnut-Horse (Aesculus Hippocastanum), introduced about 1629
from Asia, c^^nn cno-CAxpuiLl, ciu\nn Ciio ]:iu\ncAjcii, cjuMin
geAnm-clino.
Chestnut-Sweet (CastaneaVesca), introduced about 1548, Asia Minor.
Deal-Scotch (Pinus Sylvestris), 5uib*A]^, giiif ci\Ann guibAif.
Elder (Sambucus nigra) ci\Ann ^'eA.\|in*.\, C]\Ann ciAonuun, C|\ann ci\uniim,
C]\o^ob •|:e*^1^nA.^.
Elm-witch (Ulmus montana), xMlm, ^Mlniebj, coll, le^Atii, le^Mtian,
le^\nu\nti, lem, ylS, fl^MiiA^n, i^le^rriAn, cuilm.
F"urze (Ulex europaeus), A.\ice*.\nii, Acenn, comiAfg, con.rpj, oip, onn,
ueme.
Hav/thorn (Crataegus oxyacantha), -dhaijo.mi 5e^\l, fce<^cb, i^ceicee^,
■pcTog, fjCACh j^caI.
Hazel (Corylus avellana), cjvAnn coilcin, CjUMin cuill, ci;o.ob cl^<^lculnI1,
coll.
Heather (Calluna vulgaris and species of Erica), ppAoch, p|\«Mchne, up,
Hoilbe.
Holly (Ilex aquifolium) ciuleAtm, C|\Ann cuilnin, cpAOb chuiUnn.
Hornbeam (Carpinus Betula), cpAnn fleiivAin, PeAnu\ntib05.
Ivy (Hedera helix), Ait)iieAn, eA"OAn, eA-oiiAU, eibCAn, eit)eAn, eninebg,
f-Aij^loA-O, pAicleAg, 5oi\c, 50PCI05.
Juniper (Juniperus communis, var. Hibernica), aicioI, beAniu\n bpig-oe,
bio-nA Le^\C|\A, nibAi\ bcmne, nib^p C|\Ai5e, uij\ caIiIumi.
Laburnum (Cytisus Laburnum), be^lATO pivAucAcli, introduced about
Munslcr iiliiucs, and even those of counties, Ireland, in English, Irish and Latin, with a
such as Wicklow, Carlovv, Kildare, Leix, etc. true description of them and their medicinal
Again, in 1735, John K'Etigh, A.B., Chaplain virtues." Various otlier collections and
to Lord Kingston, issued a work " Printed sources, mentioned in the Preface, have sup-
and sold by Harrison, at the corner of plied the Rev. Father Hogan with materials
Meeting-house Lane, Cork. A General to compile the most extensive Irish vocabulary
Irish Herbal, an Account of the Herbs, of botanic names that has hitherto appeared,
Shrubs, and Trees naturally produced in andfromthe^cthewriter hasexclusivelydiawn.
BOTAInV— TREES AND SHRUBS.
OJ
Larch (Larix Eiiropaea), lAipeAg, introduced about 1630.
Lilac (S\'ringa vul^^aris), C|v\ot:) liAtjoivm -oiicvivui, introduced
about 1597-
Liine (Tilia Europaea), cju\nn ceile, cp^nn ceilcoije, ciA.\ot3 teile,
ceiLe, coiLooj;.
Oak (Ouercus robur and varieties), t)ai|\, eite^cli, omn^\, i\J\il, -pi ua
coille, cp.Mi?! TiApA, C|\.\nn -o^paig cp^otj -OxApAcU, pApcNn, ]:univAn.
Peach (Amyi;dakis Persica), peicfeog, c^uxun peirpeoise, introduced
about the middle of the Sixteenth Century.
Pear (Pyrus commiuiis), cpAnn piopp^i-o, petpe.
Pegwood ? (Euonymus Europaeus), peopup.
Plum (Prunus communis and varieties not indigenous), cpAun buUcvip-
ci'{')e, cp<\nii pLuiriAig, T)<\uui'eo5, cp<.\otJ pLunil)ip, pluinog.
Poplar (Populus alba), cp^nn cpiceACli, cpann poibiL, cp^nn pobuil,
cp..\olJ clipioc^vun, poibleo^.
Raspberry (Rubus Idaeus), nr.\ocan conAip>e, ppe.rp pugchjiAoibe, potJ^\
CpAOb.
Sallow (Salix nigra), p^Ml, pliocApnACVi, ge^AtpeiloAch, cpAun pAilij.
Spruce-black (Abies nigra), introduced about 1700 from Nortli America.
Spruce-common (Abies communis), giup lochl,MiiK\cli. »
Sycamore (Acer campestre), picmin, cp^Mui L).\n, cp^\nn piotin, cp.Nun
pcice, pijAClipAun
\' e\v (.Taxus baccata), cpAnn mb.Mp, cp.\ot) gp^\in-ui;).\ll, epAob uibAip,
pmnpiop.
The topot^rapbical denomination of places in the Queen's County,
and drawn troni a remote period, indicates tlie existence of special
]-:inds of woods, which seem to have been the prevailing growth in
their respective localities. Other evidences remain to illustrate this
inference. Thus, the Irish word for " hazel " is Cull, Cole or Coll, and
that product gave name to the elevated range of the Cullohill district,
near Durrow. The Irish form of Cullion or Cullen, meaning " holly,"
enters into the local denomination of Cullenagh, formerly a well-
wooded district of the Queen's County, as popular ti'adition still preserves
the remembrance ; and it had its derivation from the circumstance of
that tree there abounding, as still in stunted fnmi it appears frc(]ucntly
in the local hedge-rows. AnotherdistrictcalledCullenagh is in the Barony
of Ballyadams, and the origin of its name is similar. But surpassing
all others in number are the townland denominations of 1 Jerry, ^=*
meaning " oak " or '' oakwood/' and Derrin,^'' " little oak-wood '" with
'^ Four distinct townlands bear this name Upperwoods barony, Dcrrybeg (the little oak-
on the Ordnance Survey Map ; lwi> of these wood) in the barony of Maryborougli West,
are within the barony of Maryborough East, Derrybrock (oak-\\(jod of badgeis ) in the
and two others, still more e.\tcnsive, are in barony of Stradbally, Derrycanlon (Canton's
tlie barony of Tinnahinch. or Cantoun's or Condon's dcrry) and Derry-
I'j Dcrrin is a townland in the barony of carrow (rough oak-wood) in the barony of
Clandonagh ; The compound woidi Dcrrin- Upperwoods, 1 )errycloney (oak-wood ol the
duft" (the black oak-wood), Derrinoliver meadow) in the l)arony of J'ortnahinch,
(Oliver's little dciry), Derrinsallagh (miry ]Jerrycon (oak-wood of grcyhountls) in the
or puddley oak-wood) are in the barony of barony of Upperwoods, l3eriytlavy (Dathi's
Clandonagh, and Dcrrintray (the little oak- or Davy's iLrry), in the barony of I'orlna-
wood of the mill race), is in the barony of lunch. Derryfore (cold rA/v^') in the barony
Tinnahinch. (jf Cullenagh, Dcrrygarran (of the shrubbery)
'-'" Thus there are the following townlands, in the barony of I\b\ryborough East, Derry-
Dcrryarrow (the oak-wood of the corn), in gile in the Ijirony of Porlnahincii, Derrvhay
34 HISTORY OF THE QUEEN'S COUNTY.
*
their compounds ;"^ which enable us to uiulcrstand how prevalent and
extensive had been that species of timber in former times, and in places
where at present hardly a single tree of it now exists. From the
additional compound word we arc enabled frequently to determine
the characteristics of trees themselves, their species, and the size of
the woods in which they grew The Ordnance Survey Maps of Ireland
are notably deficient in giving thousands of local etymons, which should
be regarded as distinct townlands, but which have been omitted in the
existing large scale sheets, although many have a historic interest and
are noted in accessible records.-^ To the writer's knowledge, there
are several other spots locally called Derry, or with a compound word
annexed, that are not to be found on those Maps. Moreover, it may
be observed, that from forest trees down to the smallest shrubs and
plants, all the principal native species arc -commemorated in local
names, and to the present day those places to which they refer produce
in great abundance that very growth, which many hundred }-ears
ago gave them their distinctive denominations."- Hence the necessity
for a knowledge of the Irish language to guide a student's researches
in the various branches of Irish natural hi-^te n-y.
In the middle of the seventeenth century, the Queen's County,
as well as the King's County and Wicklow County, was full of woods,
some of these being many miles long and broad. -^, However, as else-
where, before the close of that century, the woods in the Ouccn's
County had rapidly disappeared, having been cut down to supply
timber for building, and charcoal for founderies established by the
Earl of Mountrath, as also firewood for household purposes. Wherefore,
an Act was passed in i69S,ioth of William HI., in the Irish Parliament,
for the planting of 260,600 trees in Ireland ; the number to be planted in
the Queen's County was fixed at 3,950. Since that time, and especially
in the eighteenth century, many fruit trees had been introduced
and orchards were cultivated on the old farm-steads ; but few of the
latter trees are now to be seen, while some plantations of the landed
proprietors at that period remain. But of late years, the felling and sale
of trees has greatly diminished their number; and in very few instances
have eilorts been made to supply by replanting the denudation caused
by the wood-man's axe on several estates throughout the county.
O'llea's Derry) in the barony of Ujiper- Dcrryroe (red oak-wood) in the barony of
woods, Derrykearn (of the kerns or lii;bt Maryborou|^h West, Derrytrasna (.cross or
foot-soldiets), in the barony of Maryborough transverse dt-)-ry) in tlie barony of Slradball}-,
West, Derrylahan (broad ^t^r;-;/) in the barony Derryvorrigan (Muireagan's or Morgan's
of Cullenns:;!!, Derrylahan (broad deny) in the oak-wood) in the barony of Clandonagh.
barony of Upperwoods, Derrylemoge (^'oung "^ Yet it should have been possible to re-
WilUam's derry) whicli is to be found move such deficiency, by obtaining a trans-
in the barony of Tinnahinch, Derrylinneen cript of the names of the agricultural
(O'Luinin's derry) in the barony of Tinna- tenements on the rent-rf)l]s of the landlortis
hinch, Derrylusk (burnt derry) in the barony or their agents, if not iVoni the larmers and
of Maryborough West, Derrymore (the great peasantry who occupy the lands in question,
oak-wood), barony of Maiyborough West, "- Sec Dr. Patrick W. Joyce's " Origin ai.d
Derrymoyle (bare derry) in the barony of History of Irish Names of Places, " Part iv.,
Slievemargy, DerrymuUen (Mullin's Derry) chap, viii., Plants pp. 473, 474.
in the barony of Tinnahinch, Derryiia- '-^ See Dr. Gerard Boate's *' Natural
funshion (of the ash-trees) — i.e., mixed with History of Ireland," chap, xv., sec. v., p. 6S,
ash — Derr)i.aseera (the oak-wood of the second edition, Dublin, 17-6, 4to.
freemen) in the barony of Upperwoods,
1830617
BOTANY — FLORA. ^ 35
CHAPTER VII.— Botany.— Flora.
The botany of the Queen's County seems to have been undescribed
— if at all scientifically and partially examined — until the publication
of the Cybclc Hibcrnica^ in 1866.^ In the introduction to this work,
(.Second Edition), and according to the arrangement of the editors,
the Third Botanical District of Ireland includes the Barrow, Kilkenny,
Carlow and Queen's County, and it embraces an area of 1805 square
miles. For this district, 641 species and sub-species of Flora have been
enumerated by the editors.- This list has been greatly added to,^ by
Robert Lloyd Praeger, Assistant-Librarian in the National Library of
Ireland. Later still, the same distinguished Naturalist has issued a
more complete and truly researchful work, "I rishTopographical Botany."^
' The exploration of Queen's County botany was chiefly Mr. Praeger's
own work in various parts of the area. We are told, moreover, that no
portion of it now remains altogether unexplored, but excepting the
neighbourhood of Maryborough, there is no part that ought not bear
further exploration.^ To that gentleman the writer has to render his
most grateful acknowledgments for the following very complete
description of the Flora of Queen's County, printed in the form in
which it has been received.
" In viewing the native vegetation of the County, its physical and
geological features must not be lost sight of. Queen's County forms a
characteristic portion of the great Central Plain of Ireland. Though
the main watershed of Ireland runs along the western and northern
edges of the county, the elevation of the greater portion is but slight,
between 250 and 500 feet. This low ground is formed of a slightly
undulating drift-covered floor of carboniferous limestone, with occa-
sional great peat-bogs and sinuous esker-ridges, and extensive woods.
In the south-east the northern end of the Kilkenny coal-field forms a
fertile upland of from 500 to looo feet elevation. In the north-west
an ancient crumpling of the surface has formed the Slieve Bloom
range, which now presents a series of broad heathery ridges formed
of Devonian and Silurian slates and sandstones, which attain a maxi-
mum elevation of 1733 feet. Rising on the southward continuation
ot this ridge, the River Nore flows across the plain as a pleasant rippling
stream. The River Barrow, rising on the eastern slopes of Slieve
Bloom, pursues a more sluggish course through great bogs and
marshes along the northern and eastern boundaries. The whole
county is drained by these two rivers ; lakes are practically absent,
but canals supply a habitat for many lake-plants. With this brief
description of the conditions under which the flora exists, we pass on
^ In this year was issued the first edition of ' See " Iri-,li Naturalist," vol. ii., Queen's
" Contributions Towards a Cybele I libernica, County Plants, p. 321.
being Outlines of the GeoLjraphical Uistribu- '•This most valuable Treatise has appeared
tion of Plants in Irelaml," Ijy David Moore. in " Proceed ini;s of the Royal Irish
Ph.D., RLR.I.A., Director of the Botanic Academy," Third Series, vol. vii., pp. i to
Gardens, Glasnevin, and Alexander Good- 410. Witii an Introduction, pp. i. to clxxxviii.,
man More, F.L.S., M.R.I.A. Dublin, Svo. and six finely engraved and coloured Maps
A second edition of this work, edited by exiiibiting Ireland in Forty IJotanical
Nathaniel Colijan, M.R.I.A., and Rej^inald Divisions.
W. Scully, F.L.S., was published in Dublin, 'See Introduction, under the heading of
189S, Svo. "The Sutxlivision of Ireland." No. 14,
"See pp. Ix., Ixi. <Jueen's County, p.' 1<-. *
3<3 HISTORY OF THE (JUKKX'S COUNTY.
lO consider its characters. The total flora of tlie county (PlTancro<::^am3
and X'ascular Cryptogams), as at i)resenL known, niunbcrs n'earlv
600 species ; and as the county has been fairly well explored, no s^rea't
addition to this number need be expected ; lill_v s]X'cies certainly
represent the total which may eventually be added to the llora.
Comparing the Queen's County totrd with that ot the surrounding-
counties (cdl of which are, generally speaking, similar in cliaracterj,
we obtain the following result : —
Queen's County 588 species
Kildare :;6-i.
iving's County c;c;8
North Tipperar}' 580
Kilkenn)' 621 ,,
Carlow qjg
It will be seen that among these Queen's County is surpassed by
Kilkenny alone, and this is large!)- accoimted for bv the fact that a
number of maritime plants grow on the Suir and Barrow estuaries,
and swell the Kill-cenny list.
It has been pointed out that Queen's County is ph)'sically a typical
portion of the great Central I'hun of Ireland. Its botanical charac-
teristics correspond likewise with those of the Central Plain.
Analysing its flora according to the se\-en " tj'pcs of distribution "
recently proposed for Ireland ^ we lind that the ]:)lants of " Central "
type are far more largely represented than those of any of the other
groups. These plants are largely water and marsh species, and ones
whicli like a limy soil ; they form an essentially lowland group.
To ccMiie now to the rarer jdants which grow within the county.
Many of these may be grouped according to the habitat which the)'
affect : —
Plants of Tin^: Rf.'frs and Canals : — luniKiicuhis circinains
(Circinate \Vater-Crowfo(^t), and Glycerin lUjiKdicd (Reed Meadow-
grass) are freciuent along the canals. V>y the Barrow are found
Ranuncitliis L'nigna (Great Spearwort), Stcllaria palnstris (Marsh
Stitchwort), the rare Spcr'^ularia rnbya (Red Sand-.Spurre\0, RIia))i>iiis
catharticus (Common Buckthorn), anrl several rare Pondweeds
{Pota))wgcton yiifcstois^ P. iiiiois, inid P. -Ilahcllatiis") ; Scir pus sylvcilictis
(Wood Club-rush)^ and near Monettia Bog Cnrcx dxillaris ,3. very rare
species of Sedge. By both the Ivarrow and the Nore two of the rarest
plants of the County, N asturli iiiii svtvcslrc (Narrow-podded Marsh'
Cress) and Cnjiipajiitla Trachdiiini (Xettle-leaved .Bell-flower) grow
sparingly. In the canal near Grattan Aqueduct grow Glnniithc
fistulosd (Common Water Drop wort) and Pota))iogcton doisus (Opposite-
leaved Pondwced).
Plants of the Marshes and Boos : — In marshy ground Jinicus
obtiisiflonts (Bluntilowered Rush) is often abundant, and in \'cr\'
wet ground two of the rarer Sedges, Caret terctiiiscula and C. filiforiiiis.
Tlialictriiui fhwitm (Meadow Rue) grows amid the INIearlow-sweet and
Purple Loosestrife, and in wet pastures ma\' be found the beautiful
orchid li pi partis palustris (Marsh Helleborine). The ]Deat bogs yiekl
Audrounda Polifolia (Marsh Andromeda) and V acci )ii loii Oxycoccus
(Cranberry). The \'ery rare Saxifraga Ilircnliis (V'ellow Mountain
** See RoVjcrt Lloyd Prae^cr's accnunt witli " Proceeding's of the Royal Irish Acadein\',"
the observations \\hich arc puiilibhed in vol. .wiv., 1902.
l^tJAW. — 1 I.I i|<A.
37
S^\:ix.\,:- «,.»•► l«:<-n !..ii:,.| .in .i 1)..- lu.ir Mounlratli, aiKl Droscra
%K;i*mi.i:.x lv.!ci:!;oiJ:.i:t- >i;ii.:.-\v .ii JK-l).i-r()l C"ullciia_<'h .Mountain.
k'.^i'H.-.t.'Mt i-t ,.Hf-*l.t -.M-itT Mu. ',■.:!. on I , ,i laic shrul), was recorded
Jfi"*;; '»' usvt.^.c'.'ai '., ;:» :;;.•. la:t La- iidt 1k\ii loinid M'uce.
i'i..v'«;> ♦'» «ii..\»JMV i*l,\UN: li.i- t -l-.rr-i id-e al Maryborough
»* :?^ ?*w:i;c ^.} r.-uiny j4.i:i'.H th.it I'»vf a >.an(l\- or j;ra\cll\- ^(iil. Mere
m4V !.f J.^-.in-J /^;;,i;^r J;. ;,/»/:</,,• :|...ii- ' IvJoui^h-luMded Toppy),
/,.4j*«wi t~*.'.' .».• i^VijA-}\ !?i-. ;■- -sv . ('ii!.iiiin:!/i,i .{(inas v I'asil 'rh)-nie)'
<* a/v .- / .• I ,' ;v'*.'n,wr . I .-i: ^:»-.;t<i\vire<l 1 Ieinj)-.\ct t le ; l.diiiinin a)i;plcxi-
t-^,mJe Mtt.Xni- a!i(| H-* tcl.Uion ! .. It\it ulu»i ^ luiUoid //ii^ra (Black
i {..;•»??■, ..;?>!j Ihr i;r.i\clly c.\i>anH- (.t the (Ireat Meath of .Mary-
J*.,-«f«-'i.i,, i'j %>rj U Ab-.jrul.ir.cc oi Ant/i.ntis iiohilis (Chainoiiiile) and in
ii:i:s.*esi.j l>;^*='-»!i I'.Iy ^>>n!drn tt:ntu.\ . Narni\\-lea\ed Persicaria). The
«jtiis»A) (jjAci^,* ys«"I'l luo plants u!ii(ii aie anionic the newest arrivals
m lh"» i*.'Ufv!ry— /,j/;.;m<; /;//;/,-;• i I .e-^er 'Inad-llax) in ])r()[u,sion, and
^} m;^;> ^f tffOiy Af(H.iH(i (,itu{foli<i ^.^l^■nder-lea\■ed SaufJwort). On
f*i,^«»^v J>..»f,K» nr.ir r..jtailin^;ton two doubllul natives are abundant
'■■ ft.'J\-Mtn M.I'hco (iu-af Ihdqe Ik'dstraw) and I'icris Jiicracioidcs
J't \M^ «-j iHj .Moi M.MNs : — Tlx- siiiootli bog-covcred slopes of
Sis.^'vr iC;*»!n .in- n.iturall)- vei"\- poor m mountain j^lants, which love
l»» h^u.-.t n-ti^N and Mills, and i^realer Me\alions tbi^n tliese liills afford.
ihr J<->t j;:.»injii is (ilendnie Map. on the north side of .\rderin. Mere
tn^y t«r \'y.;vA llu- U-autilul M lanifi'si s nn>ibnc(i (Welsh Poppy), and
t,-»M r.i:c icrr.'>. }\'.;;.\lium pHt.'o;:i>is MU'ech Fern; and llyniow-
fi;<i:-*">i uHi. .:.■>.;!< { ):)<:-^i^l<.-,] ,<v \\'\\<<)]]\ I'llnu- I'Vrn). On the summit
(*i .StUixr. t].'.- iu:;>-us httlc or. hid /./\/,;,/ ,-,.)t!(i/a (Lesser Tway-blade)
l.i* 'U-r:; S-.i.-i'l u::<1.-t rhc Iie.;i'.rr. and ni ( ilnidine another rare Orchid,
//',?>«?;/?.; a;,*;;'.; VMatc Moanlam OiMiidj. (Millenagh .Mountain
»» *4 k'--ri r:r',.i!-..'!i (U\]s !eel< than Sliexe Bloom, but yields one
intrefi::.'.^ «j*'.ir.'l pLu-.t, J-'/^/iutt .sy/rti/na (Wood hY-scue-grass).
.'V nuriil-cr «'f rarer juant-. remain luunentioned, wliich grow in
Kr*ff.Tj»,ut*k». J.cM'', Ui*-,!',. ftc. 'riioe ma\' be listed as follows : —
Aftii.'fy't.t iu'^atti ('oiiiiidijru").— Not connnon.
,S<i»r«-^Ms-/« J h.il'.isniutti .,'Miaie CVessV— Mountrath, ^Maryborough.
l:.if I.i ln'f i Uslii .NhLinoiiette.-.Xtlu-.
Ittt.iiium U'tfi'rttu Slender \'e!low IVefoir). — Near Durrow
I'tttnui /'.i/wi (I'lrd ("l!err\'\ — Woods at Maryborough.
K-stm s n.t:-Jti ■-.''lone I'ramble'i. --Maryborough and (ilenbarrow.
f\\^tii t>:<iln St!l-Ica\ed Ko^e .- I'hiio.
A' rh.''s(it!.s.t (^.^\M-et -briar;. — .\bbe\leix and ^Maryloorougb.
/'imfttUi'Li m:;t.'«(;(("ircater lUirnet-Saxifrage'). — Lisdufi and .Abbeyleix.
C /:<'■/, >p/r.!It4tfi {,mulum (Rough Chervil). — l-Vetpient on the eastern
inargjn o! llu- county.
V,i!,Tt.in,!Lt Auniulii ."^harp-fruited Corn-.'^alad).— I-^mo.
< ,ndii;i\ {rispuK 'Wtlted '1 histle). — Freciuent.
Cinltiurtd St(il>ios<t ((ireater Knapweed). — l-'recjucnt in the south-
ea>-trrn hall of the county.
Rrythru-a pulchdla (Dwart Centaury). — Emo.
( vnoiilossuni officinale I lound's-tongue). — Timahoc.
Jl yi>S( ymnu^ Ni'i^rr M lenbam- ). --Dunmore and Mar\'borough.
()rol)ituc/ic )>iiuor (Lester P<room-rape). — Rathdowney — very rare.
('•■thof^sis Ladfunoii (Red 1 lemp-Xettle). — Rare.
J'olyi^i'inan lustotta C.Snakeweed). — .Maganey and Stradbalh".
38 HISTORY OF THE QUEEN S COUNTY
•
Carcx vinricata (Prickly Sedge). — Graiguc and Slirule.
C. diviilsa {Grey Sedge). — Durrow and Graigue.
C. strigosa (Loose-flowered Sedge). — Recorded trom Dunmore by Dr.
^Nlackay many years ago.
Bronms ercctiis (Upright Brome-grass). — Portarlington.
Eqiiisetum Jiyemale (Dutch rush). — Frequent.
IL. variegation (Variegated Horsetail). — Rare."
CHAPTER VHI.— Zoology, Fauna.— Wh.d Ammat.s.
Zoology teaches the nature and classification of animals, as also
their order, succession and distribution oxer the earth. Those
animals peculiar to a country constitute its jaioia, the term being
derived from the Fauni of Roman M^'tholog}'. This most
interesting branch of study, in its fullest extent, has been treated by
many distinguished naturalists in various languages, and in different
countries. The term Zoology, practically restricted to a knowledge
of the nature, organization, properties, characteristics, habits, and uses
of living animals, is in the present case conlined to those wild ones,
known to visit or exist in the Queen's County. On this subject, the
author's partial and imperfect knowledge should avail him very little,
were it not that he received most cordial and generous aid from gentle-
men of the highest scientific qualifications and accurate observation,
combined with local residence and a familiarity acquired by their
.-■tudies and experience. When, in reference to the dil'ticulties pre-
sented in engaging on the present chapter, the author applied to
Robert F. ScharlT, B.Sc. Ph.D., keeper of the Natural History Col-
lections in the Science and Art ]\Iuseum, Kildare Street, Dublin,
in the kindest and most obliging manner, that gentleman undertook to
furnish what was desirable for the general reader to learn, and what
must prove to be most interesting for residents and those more
immediately connected with the Queen's County. The following
synopsis of its wild Fauna is presented in the very words and order of his
preparation and subsequent revision ; so that, among the foremost
authorities in Ireland and in countries still more distant, we have
an assurance that the writer has given us the most reliable information
on the subject, combined with a scientific and popular treatment:
" In the limited space at my disposal, it is impossible to give more
than a very brief sketch of the animal inhabitants found wild in
the County. No thorough investigation of it has ever been made by
a resident Zoologist, nor has any general account of its Natural
History been published, but it has frequently been visited by Zoologists
from Dublin, and local Naturalists like the Rev. B. J. Clarke, the Rev.
J. M. Browne, INIr. James A. IMulhall of Pass House, Maryborough,
and Mr. J. W. Webber, of Kelly ville, Athy, to whom I am greatly
indebted for much valuable information ; these gentlemen have all
contributed to give us a fair knowledge of its fauna.
We may roughly divide all the animal forms we meet w^ith in the
County into Vertebrates, that is to say into those provided with a back-
bone, such as the hare, the rook, and the trout, and into Invertebrates,
which include creatures without a back-bone, such as the snail.
ZOGLOGV, FAl.'NA.— WILD AM.MALS. 39
tH:;trrli\-, beetle and worm. Each of these i;reat divisions of the
jinunal kingdom contains a number of classes distinguished from
t ne another by well-niarked characters. Thus the first-class —
llic Ik-ast.s or Mammals — are at once discriminated from the second
t^l^^, ihe \)irds, by their covering of hair, whereas the latter are clothed
xmOa u-.it'ners. The third class again — the reptiles — possess an armour
c'J v.»l(-> instead of hair or feathers. In a similar way we can readily
v:j*.iratr from each other, by their external features, the various Classes
uj Invertebr.ites.
VnMi.l'.KATF.S — Mammals. These constitute the highest class of the
Vertebrate animals, but although the Giant Deer (the so-called IrishElk),
rc.'.n-p.'.t) eipAiiiu\C, the Reindeer, pust) UiuMfCiiiu, Wild Boar, CofAC
Vui<).Mii, \\'('h\ inA-oiiA-u-^Nil.Mt), and Bear, tlUxcj.MiuMn were probably
tf>t:ir.'a"n at a time when earl)- man had already made his appearance
%'.\ the count}', most of the larger members of our Fauna have long
^i^a vanislu'd from Ireland, and only the Red Deer, "puxt) TDe-Af^, and
Icwot the less conspicuous Wild Mammals are still represented in the
t»»untry. The Red Deer, piAt) "ocp^, used to occur in the County,
.ind !.ir.;e deer parks were fornicrly established, such as the one
Al Ihm.imaisc, for the reception of wild examples of this noble
•.•ic<.!cx. An^.ong the larger ?\Iammals which remain more or
lrv-» i'tinlined to the wooded j)arts of the County ni:\.y be mentioned
the na(l^;cr. l)H()c, \\hich still exists, according to Mr. Webber, at
Ua!lyl;i!ta\an, v.hile the l'"ox, ]Mor,n.'.('-, nK\T))\.\'0 niK\t), is more
tuniu-r* ';;•.. 'I'hc smaller Marten is becoming A-cr\- scarce now
.ind -o In the ()ttiT, nu'TjjuM'i-THinn. m.\-oi\AT'>-in]'T:;e, but the Irish
Mt!.»t, r.-.j-o^;— t-rroneou^h' called weasel in lrelai:tl — occurs in
dinurn-hmg numbers in tiu- larger estates. The-e are the only members
of tlu- lu-i;<Mti;ig or carnivorous Mammals. The Gnawing or Rodent
.M.i!!.::: 1!^ aic rcproented by the ubajuitous Rabbit, comin, and by
tLr Ir;-.:j 1 i.i:e, vij-.jvf-KU"), the Field Mouse, luC i'c\]\, and Squirrel, eAfCj,
j.p.\ pM.r.,-^. Whether thclatter, which occurs near Portarlington is
^ Xxv.'- ::.i*.i\c. is vvnewhat doubtful. Certain it is, that in several
jMs'.H i.i Irrl.iUil it ha-s Ixren artilicially introduced, and has spread
tajw.'t''. . •■■a:::iMo tl'C iiuii'^criminate slaughter of its natural enemies. '^
Aji j.)::. ■•• M.ivk variety of the Irish Ilare — a unique specimen — was shot
a! lUlliJ-ikjiJ, an'} •'.v.is acquired by the National Museum from the Rev.
rj,/ Uj:;.)!n. n.c Hou'^c-Mousc, luc^, and the Brown !Rat, tut niofi, and
jilv>;h.c Bl.ick Kat, ;-ii.iiic<\0, are supposed to have been introduced, though
ur {>rrr.-,.riit no direct evidence of such an introduction. There is, however,
arvo'.ivcr Ivat — tiow recognised as a melanic form of the Brown Rat —
wliKh IS pri.-U.i.bly indigenous. This was first described by W. Thompson
as iSic In^h Kat." (Mas. Hibcrniais) ; and differs from the Brown Rat
ilucfly by its d.irk grey fur. It has not yet been recorded from the
• 'oun'ty but it is almost certain to occur there. Only two species of
Mammals belonging to the insectivorous group are known to occur
in Ireland, and lx>th of these, viz., the Shrew-]\Iouse and the Hedge-hog,
5;j\»\in«'05;, liavc been met with in the County. Lastly we haveto consider
the B.its, lAlcO.s le<\t.Mii. whose forclimbs are modified as organs
lor flight. A very valuable account of the Irish Bats has been written
'See K. M. r.arririf^'ton, on " Tlie Intro- '^ See " Transnctions of the Royal Irish
«luc;ion of llic Squirrel into Irchuul." Acailcniy," vol. xviii., 1S35-183S. Also
Scientific Proceedings of Royal Dublin llie Dissertation of W. Thompson on " 'l"he
."^'•cieiv, New Series, vol. ii., 18S0. Irisli Marc."
40
HISTORY OF THE QUEF.X S COUNTY.
by Dr. Jameson ;•' and the volumes of the " Irish Naturalist' contain
also articles on the habits of these interestin;^- creatures by Dr. Alcock
and others. Strange to say, however, no bats from the Queen's
County have as \'ct been recorded, though it is almost certain that
such species as the long-cared Bat and the small Pipistrclle are to be
found there.
Bixls. — In speaking of ' Irish Birds,' we mean such birds as have
been observed in this country in the wild state. But among the many
different kinds which have been brought under the notice of Naturalists,
we must clearly discriminate between ' rcsidcut birds,' that is to say,
those ^vhich are fountl in this country both summer and winter, and
' visitors! Again we have to distinguish among the latter the summer
and winter and also the accidental visitors. Tliere are also species
whose breeding grounds are further north than Ireland and whose
wintcr-ciuarters are further south, and which consefiucntl\' inhabit our
island lor a few daws or weeks only dinang migration in spring and
autumn. These are known as spring and autumn Migrants.
The foUowmg 84 species are known to \\:\vq bred in Queen's
County •}
Mistle-Thrush
Song-Thrush — SmolAc
Blackbird — lotTOub
Stoncchat — CA.Mpin /Aicinn
Redbreast — Spi-oeo^
White throat
IMackcap
Goldencrested Wren — "Diieoilln
eA-p iDoi]:;
Chiff-chali'
Willow-Wren
Wood- Wren — T)^ief3iUn coillo
Sedge-Warbler
Grasshopper Warbler
I ledge-Sparrow — IxiAtJiJj^
Dipper — CumA-ooin
Long-tailed Titmouse
Great Titmouse
Coal Titmouse
Blue Titmouse
Wren — '0]\o6ilin
Tree-creeper
Tied Wagtail — 5;i,\-o5
Grey Wagtail
Meadow Tipit — Ci]\ein stufc
Spotted BlycatclKM-
Swallow — pAuilrrig, xXmLeo^,
"P^Ltos "
House ^lartin
Sand Martin
Greenfinch
Goldfinch — Cumin O'fi
House Sparrow — ^Ce^ltiAn, ■^Aliin
Chatilnch — l^jieAC au Cf iL
Linnet — ^CAliu'm lion ^leoifeAC
Lesser Red[joll
Twite
Bullfinch
Crossbill
Cornbunting — 5^^^!^^^'^^''' ■^^ b'-''^
Yellow Bunting — lTtiiT)e65
Reed Bunting — geAlli.xu .\n guib
Starling — 'Opuro, T)|\ui-oe65
Jay — Sc|\eA(J(35
jMapgie — ^OiogAix)
Jackdaw — Ca^, Catjoj, Cai?;
Hooded Crow — pionnog, j-'e^no^
Rook — piu'v\(iAn
•* Sec "The Iii^h Naturalist,'' vol. vi., 1S97.
,1. L. fanieson on '■ The ISats of Ireland.''
■* The infniniatiiin has been derived from
"The r.irds i>f hi-land, an account of the
Distribution, ?*Ii<^iaiion and Ilabil.sof Birds
as observed in Ireland, will) all additions to
the Irish List," compiled by R. J. Ussher and
Robert Warren, London, 1900. Svo The
list of Irish names occurs after the Preface,
pp. xii to XV, yet it is only partial. In this
work the scientific names and the names
and the hal.ils of those birds to be found
in the <^)uecn's County are particularly
described ; w hile lor fuller general inform-
ation, and rclercnce, the writers recommend
the reader to consult Mr. Howard Saunders'
" Illustrated Manual of British Rirds."
Second Edit ion, 1899.
/OOI.O ;V. l/aWA. — WILD AXIMAI.S. 4I
Ni,;ht;.tr — ruiuiA I in L.mdrail
Kiiv;i!-iiLT — C"iuiict,v\n W'ater-rail — Cluvr titj^ce
("u'KMo — CvK'C Mour-hcn — C(.'.n|\i; Uij^se
I5.ir;i ()\\1 — rr^Mimniir Cucit — (,"i'x\|\c iiipct'
L«>n;._,'-car(:(l Owl — 11.\Ic,'>()c;,mi RiiiL^ccl I'hner
M.irsli ilarric;- — ].)iir'Ac.Mi v^Cca^ic Golden lMo\er — 'pcATx'ij;, yi-nio^
Ilcn Harrier LapwiiiL^ — piLbiii, puibin, ]3iLbin,
Sparrow Hawk — Uiu\-u*\n pilibin
Merlin — nicin|\Liun Woodcock — Ci\eAVK\]\, Ci\o^\1)ai|\
Ke-i:el — |.\\bcuii Common Snij^e — lK\op5, nAo)-"-
(.'■»:n:n')n llerun — CoiiiK'pv; 5^6, llAOij-'ge
Maliard — L).\|\T)v\L Common Sandpipe — '^obA-oJvn
SiKAelier — UAO]^coiTie l\.edshank
I'inlail Curlew — Chocac, CuipLun
Tea! — C']\,rnnL.\C J)lack-headcd Gull ■ — ]-\\oileAn,
Ivin,^ I)')\c — Culurn, Colup Culiu\c, ColbAC
>ti,CK l)o\-e Little Grebe
Red Gnui--c — Ce.']',e ]-';u\oic Great Crested Grebe
I'hca-ant — ]3i.<]n'in
.\niiin;4 lbe.se a lew, sucb as tbe llen-I larrier, the Pintail,
and <Jnail, ba\-e :\pv: re; rd\- ceased In breed in Oueen's County at the
JJre^ent tune, thou'.;,i ibex- were known to do so fornierh'. Several
others are exeeed;;v_.;l\- rare, >ueb as tbe iJlacbLap, \\'ood-wren,
TJluM'niiii Cdiit..', k: M^;-ii-ber. CiMiirtvMi, i*erc;^"rine Falcon, Se^bAC
jNMtc;.', Sloel-: 1 )o\c and liie Great Crested ( b'ebe. The Blackcap has been
(/'^•^',•r\•ed to jjreed at C'appard, Portarlini^ton. and R_\'nn, while Mr.
John \'onn;4!onnd tbene-tand ei^ijsotthe wood-wren at lirockley Park.
We a.re told b\ M;-. C>>her that be saw three Marsh Harriers at a
considerable bei;^iit ~oarin;_; in circles over the extensive marshes of
Lord C.i-detM-.Mi .1: (bantston ; and that the Slieve Bloom Range
U'-cd to 1 e tlu- chiei borne ot tbe I len-1 larrier in central Ireland.
It Is nitere-t:n;^, too. to note that the inlandd:)reeding Black-headed
Gull p.MM'. c.Mi, rear- its \-oung in vast numbers on Monettia Bog near
Cionad( 0. Mo-'t o! tbe above-mentioned birds are true resitlents; others,
liowewr are only \ i-itor-;, and leave tbe countr)' again alter ha\'ing
reare 1 tbeir yoi'.ng. Some of the rarer visitors which have been
."-b^'t 1:1 ti'.i- (juei.n'-> County have been sent to tbe National Museum
in 1 lub'.m tor ideiitiiication and are no^v preserved there. Thus a J31ack
Kobt.tri .md a gre.ii >potted Woodpecker, SnA>; coiLle, which are ir-
rf|^u!ar r.. re winter \i-iiors, have both been once obtained in this County.
1 here arc a lew birtls too, which though exceedingl}' rare, possess
claims to \k- called " re-idents." The Wood-lark, for example, which
has once Ikx-h obnT\ed by Mr. Croasdaile, near Rynn, belongs to
this cate^.;ory. Tiie lieautilul Hoopoe, often to be seen on the shores
of the -Meiiiterranean, has once visited the Comity ; and several specimens
of tbe rare winter \-i-nor, the Smew, were shot at Grantston and on
Lough .Annagb. .\n a(Lidental visitor — the Red-breasted Snipe—
nAOfc*\ j\iK\t), a nati\e ot North -America, has only twice been obtained
in Ireland, one of the.-e specimens, from Mar^'borough, is now in the
National Museum.
42 HISTORY OF THE QfTEEN S CGUNl Y.
RcpNlcs and AvipJiibians. — Only a sin^^le species of Reptile pi<\fc,
the viviparous Lizard, eA.\ticltu\ci\A inhabits Ireland. As everyone
knows, no snakes have ever been met with in this country^ except such
as have escaped from confinement. The Lizard, though nowhere
common is widely distributed, and occurs in Queen's County in small
numbers. Of Amphibians two different kinds ai'e known to inhabit the
County, viz.: — the Frog, lofc^ui, {Rtina tciii pordiia), and the Newt,
GAfCltiACiuA, {i\Iolge vulgaris). The latter is regarded by country
people with unfeigned dread, and many are the stories one hears as
to its propensities of attacking man. So much so that it is often
spoken of as the ' vian-eater^ but the term ' diivk-lcHkcr ' is more
commonly heard in country parts, and is probably a corruption of
the Irish ' dcarc-lnacJiair^ It is needless to remark, tJiat this animal
is perfectly inoltensive. and lives entirely on small insects and worms.
Fishes. — One of the commonest species \vhich frequents every
little sti-eam and brook is the Three-spined Stickleback, often called
' Pinkeen,' by boys, but besides this there is another much rarer
kind of Stickleback which possesses ten spines on its back instead of
the usual three. The latter was discovered near La Bergerie House,
(Queen's Count}^, by the Rev. B. J. Clarke, and specimens sent by
Iiim to William Thompson were described by the latter as the largest
he had ever sccn.^ "
The Gudgeon, 5UT)a.\, bAoc^Mfe, has been noticed in the River
Barrow, and I am informed by ]\Ir. Webber that the Tench occurs in
the lake at Kellyville. We are not certain, however, whether the
latter is an indigenous species. It would be interesting to know
whether the Minnow occurs in the County. It has certainly not been
recorded, and its distribution in Ireland is ver)' local. The Loach, the
Pike, j;.Mll-uAf5, and the Eel, e^xfcii, have been taken in the tribu-
taries of the Barrow, and are probably widely distributed. The Perch,
ci\eAj;^\^-iiil^T5e, and Rudd are more partial to lakes and slowly moving-
waters, and are also frequently met with. The latter is known in
Ireland as the ' Roach,' but differs from the true ' Roach ' in the
position of the dorsal fm.
FinalU', the Trout, buoAC, is to be met with in every stream in the
county, while its near relation, the Salmon, l)i\>\TK\n, has been taken
in the Barrow and the Nore and their tributaries. On the border-
land of fishes — differing in many respects from true fishes — we have the
River Lamprey, e^AfCu fiiiLe^\C, which is often found adhering to
stones and sometimes to other fishes by means of its sucker-like
mouth.
Invertebrates. — Molluscs. — Some of these are found in fresh-
water, others on land, familiar examples of the former being the fresh
water Mussel, "piAi^c^n, and of the latter the Slug, Ciai\65, and Garden
Snail, ]^eiLi*oe, feilmroe, flmiroe, flitroe.
One of the most noteworthy papers which has been written on
Irish Slugs was published by a clergyman, the Rev. B. J. Clarke,*"
resident in the Queen's County ; and as all his observations were made
in the county the}- are of particular interest to us in connection with
•'' See W. Thompson's " Natural History of History," vol. xii., 1S43. Rev. B. J. Clarke
Ireland," vol. iv., p. S9, 1S56. on "The Species of Limax Found in Ire-
•^ See "Annals and Magazine of Natural land."
ZOOLOGY, FAUNA.— WILD A.M.MALS.
43
this work. He kept slugs in confinement in order to note clown their
food and method of reproduction, and has given us many valuable
huits on their habits. Many of the slugs arc decidedly destructive
to crops, but while some confine their attention more or less to the
leaves, others do injury underground to the roots of plants. Perhaps
the most injurious to the farmer is the small gre}^ slug {Agriolifiiax
(igrestis), which abounds everywhere. Other species like the lar-'c
black slug {Arlon afer), and the smaller kinds belonging to the sanle
genus do then" share of destruction in a less open manner, and confine
their attention more to decaying vegetable substances. I have published
a fuller account more recently of all the species occurring in Ireland
and m it are dealt with some forms also to be met with in the
County," but not described by Clarke.
Besides the slugs, a large number of species of snails have been
collected in the County, principally by Edward Waller in the neigh-
bourhood of La Bergerie House. A single specimen of tlie rare Ildix
/>isaiui—a large white shell faintly banded with brown, whose home is
on the shores of the Mediterranean— was discovered there, and is now
m the National Museum. It would lead Ub too far to nieiition all the
species which have been noticed in the Count\-, and I would refer
those who wish to acquaint themselves with the different kinds of
land snails to the account of the Irish speucs published in the • Irish
Naturalist.' »
In the same list the fresh-water forms are also dealt with, and one of
the rarest and at the same time the most conspicuous Irish species
[Planorbis corncus), \\as first discovered near Monasterevan, on tlie
borders of the Queen's Count}-. It has since been taken in a fe\s-
other localities, but the only area in Ireland where it can be said
to be common is in the ditches between Portarlington and Monas-
terevan.
I)iscits._ — Various groups of insects are recognised among Naturalists,all
characterised by easily distinguishable features. Thus the Beetles, CK^no?;,
have the fore pair of wings modified into hard coverings for the hinder
pair w'hich alone are used for flight. Then again we divide these into a
number of difierent families, such as ground-beetles, rove-beetles,
click-beetles, weevils, lady-birds, and others. The latter, since they
feed on the small Aphis, or green fly, are c.xtremeh' useful/while man)-
of the other kinds cause mucli destruction to our fruit trees and crops.
A very exhaustive account of the beetles of Ireland has recentl_\' been
published, '' m which the various kinds occurring in the County are
recorded. Further detailed references to the local species have been
given by the Rev. J. ]M. Browne in an interesting article.^"^
Butterflies and Moths, -peilioc^Mi, ha\-e not been very extensivelv
collected m the County as far as I know, and the few species whicli
have been recorded seem to have been taken by Dublin Naturalists.
I lie Wood white, which has once been observed at Borris-in-Ossory is
almost the only rare Butterflv known from the County, but more
diligent search would probably yield a more promising harvcU.
'.Sec -Tninsarlions of tlic Royal DuMin '^ S,.- •■ r,occcdinqs of llic Rovaf lii^h
- '-^f ^'^, r t'^'V ^^V- 1^- !'• Sella. tl, Aradcnnv' vol. vi., s". 3, looi. Jnlmsm, and
the Slii-s of Ircfamf.; ll.dlct,'" A List of the Lcelles of Iicland.-
hee lusli Naturalist," Vof i., 1S92, R. '"Sec Kcv. J. M. Browne, "The Irish
l-.bchartfon ' Tlic Irish Land and Lresh- NauuaHst," vol. x., 1901. " K ntoniol<.L.i<-al
water Mollusca." ■ Xotes from Alj!,cvleix."
44 HISTORY OF THE queen's county.
ft
An excellent catalogue of the Irish Bu'terllies, ircilCACAn, and
Moths. llViol C|\i()nn, was puhlished a few }'cars ago by ^h'. W. F.
cle V. Kane.'^ Of the remaining groups of Insects, viz. : the Bees
bcAC, Wasps, t)CAC C\\pAiU, and Ants, SeAii^Aii, the ordinar\- Flies,
Cuileoj, th.e Grasshoppers, 'Ooj\i\\ti, and allied forms, tlic Dragon-llies,
Cinleox; "Oii.vj^An, and Bugs, Sce.\i\r.\ii, we know practically nothing
so far as the (jueen's County is concerned, though a few records may
be found scattered among the volumes of the ' Irish Naturalist.'
Spidt-rs, T)ubAtiAll.\. No doubt large numbers of different kinds of
Spiders, and their near relations the Harvest-men, and .Mites, occur in
the Count}\but these also haveunfortunatel)- not been found sulhciently
attractive b_\' local Nalurcdists to be collected, and we are at present
unable to indicate what species ma\' be found tlu're. To those who
wish to actjuaint thrmselves with tlie Spiders llu'_\' may be likel\'
tt) come across in their rambles, I eannot do l)clter ihaii recommend
the j)erusal of Mr. Carpenter's intei'csling account o\ 4 he lri>h Si)iders.'-
CiJ////Y(/i-s,Cuu\u) CeAT)-6op.\L;.--In his Ir-t ol the Irish Centipedes
and Millipedes, Mv. Pocock refers to over Jo .-pecies wliich are known
to him from this country, and several of tlu-c certainly iniiabit the
Oueen's County.-'^
C) iis/(ui(iiis. — A search inider stones in tlie lield or garden will
yield almost certain!}' a nuniber of wood-lice, illioL c]\ionn, and these,
together with the h'esh-water shrimpdike creatures, and also the
crayfish ruid the marine crabs, jJopcAu iu\ in.\i\.\, anrl lobsters, ■J^liom,\(';
are classed under the term ' Cruslciccci.' 'llie Irish Wood-lice have
been dealt with in a paper jniblished a few )-ears ago in the " Irish
Naturalist," and I am assured b}' ?\Ir. T. W. Webber that there are
plenty of Crayhsh, Ci\Obo^, in the Banteiigue River, wliich flows
past Stradbally. On the Continent these cra\-lisli are greatly relished
by the inhabitants, and are exported in quantities from" there to
London Hotels and Restaurants, though I have not heard of them
as being nuicli eaten in this country, or sent to England, as they
might easily be.
\Vo>-)>is, piApc peij^c, — The W\n"ms constitute a \'Ci-\' large anddiver-
silied group of Invertebrates. In the first [:)!ace, we have the division
to wdiich the Earthworms belong, creatures whieli, owing to their habit of
burrowing in the soil, and thereby breaking up and loosening the cartj-i,
arc of such immense benefit to the farmer. The\' have been describecl
in a series of valuable articles which appeared in the ' Irish Naturalist.'''^
Other kinds of worms inhabit our ponds and streams, and scr\e
as food for many of our fresh- water hshes. Then, again, a\ e have several
divisions of worms which live ]):'.rasitically in the bodies of other
animals, and frequently produce serious ailments, such as the much-
dreaded fluke, which inhabits the liver of sheep. Of the exact dis-
tribution of .all these worms in Ireland we know as yet but little, and
much investigation is still needed to enable us to publish county lists.
'' See " A Calalof^ue of the I.epidoptera of "Notes upmi soiiie Irisli Mviinpod:!., p. pQ."
Ireland," Eci.dnii, 1901. n .See K. V . Schailf on "'The Irish \Vo,k1-
^'- See G. I 1. (,'arpenter, in " rri)eeedini:;s of lii-e," ni "The Irish Naliuahsl," vol. iii.,
the l\oyal Iri-h Academy," voh v. Third pp. 4, 2^, KSop
Series, 189S. G. 1 1. ("arpeiUer, " A List of '''See ihe Uev. llilderic Friend on " The
the S])iders of Ireland." I'.anhvM inii.s of Ireland," "Tlie Irish
■" See an interestiiit^ article in "The Irish X.mualisi," \'(il. ii., pp. 6.39,89, 121,188,
Naturalist," vol. ii., 1893. K. I. I'(Kock's 21 6, 238, 272, 288, published in 1393.
zuui.oc.v, i'ArN\. — wii.ii A.\i> noMi - rn.'.M i;ii animals. 45
TiuTc arc, inoi\'()\'cr, iiriuitc wonn-lilvc oriNinisins like the Rotifers
•uiil I'clw.ua with which NaUiralisls in this country have not made
liirnivclwN \-cr_\' familiar. l-'mally, there are tlie I^eeches, 'Ooll6>;,
si«.\K- 111 whicli live entirely in fresh-water, while others are able to
Mih-i^t for a while in damp earth, and which have also been de-
.'•(.ribedin the u^ehil journal already relerred to.'"
.S".'v;/-r.v ,i>i./ l'ro!u:ou. — d"he Irish fresh-waters are also inhabited
b\- a lew >f)ecies ot .Sixm^es, 111 upe An, allied to our Bath- .Sponge,
and 1)\- an exceediiii^K' large number of microscopic organisms known
as I'n.'.o/oa, whieh it will not be i)o>sible to deal with adec^uately
in ih:^ brief sur\-e\'." '''
f. ll.\l'ri'd\ IX.- Z(i )i.(K^.v, Fauxa. — D()Mi;sTic.\Tr,!) Animals.
It 1- now o\cr one hundred \-ears ag(^, since Sir Charles Coote made
... .■.;:< ml and \e!A' ;idinirahle in\'e>ligalioii regarding the varieties
.-iij.i hi. rd oi hor>c>, Cattle and othci' tarniiiig stock in the Queen's
(,,»iiit\.' .\s sU' h iclrreiices are usualh' in connexion with different
distil- ?>, and not * la--i'd under an\' griirial heading; it is liardh' jieces-
•s.i:\ t-. do n ;..!.• th.m n-W. r to In-- \\orl<. tor an ai ciMint of the domesticated
.iinni.tr-. th.tt >--r\rd \\:r pui|(i-. -. ot the L^ciitiA' and farmers of his day,
and to t "M. ;•.•.:</ tiieir cou'liti^n and u-tinlne>^ with tho>e which are at
!•:(-•■:;: .v:.d \\.<\v to he louihi. In maii\' ie--pect>. great im}n"ovements
hi'..- t.'j.e:'. J l,e ••. .ii.d in the l.,ili ANuig i"epiirt> of experienced gentlemen
.,.s>.i ^s;: ,,■ lull op;.'! iwmtier. ..!al iapacit\- for ac(iniiing local information
*'* A ;. I;.d !'• ih.iia. t< : . the d<.-ci iption L;i\en .aid tlie accounts furnished
r.i-i'.l 1 1- "1 '■p''' :,d K.teirst t(ir oui' readers, and claim the grateful
4* ■«.!."■.(. !• '.Knients !■; ti.e writei- for that laliour they ha\-c so kindly
iij.d'!tak»!i. .'.-.A th.it ability they have manifested in dealing with their
:oj« t:N<r Mibj'< {>.
Ai h.i\tr.i,' !uid a LUeal exjXTience in the rearing and keejiing of horses,
.1* ai"in 'Xtrusivo dea!ini,'> and purchases, with a study of their different
'ijoju-iti- s. f.'/t .'.lone toutined to the ("(uuit\- ; the \vriter applied to Mr.
AillitJi .^!■t- M liion ot ("oh Stud l-'ann. .\l)])e\ieix. for information on tlie
topic *.\Uli v'.iiicli he i^ so con\Ai>ant, and oltlained from him the
lollousi.g inti-:«-~ting ji;!'. ticiilar>, which are here submitted for the
in^tllK (IOI» ol the le.ider.-
" In thr K-gniinng of the last century, the breed of horses in the
Oue<':4\ ('(/.jiitv was j)rincij>ally that which is still known as the old
Iii>h cartdioi--'-. -o uiii\-eisall_\' .Jirized for sound constitution and en-
durance, a> ai-o adapted to cairy hea\-y wei,L;hts for long distances, and
living' on very little loeid. That breed was known in the County from
tinie'inunemoiial. (".eiieialK' ilistributed throughout the whole country,
when the mare was cro>-ed with a thorouglnhred sire, we have lieen
indebted to it for the lri>h hunter — an animal famous for its strcngtli,
'■'.Sec " 'I'll 'J Irisli X.i'.\a..'U;," V1.1l. vii., pi-tcnl Iii>h scholar, .Mr. I'atrick D'Uyan,
iSoS. K. 1-'. Scluirlf, "The Iii-^h l''r<.--h- Trilmu ilK-, Sandymouiil.] Author's nhik
w.uer Lccclics." ' I'l his " (General \'ic\v of tlic .'\j;i iculture
'"[111 the text of this cliap'icr, the Irish and .MaiuifacliirL's of the (^)ucen's County. "
names of Animals, with some .iililiii'iin 111 -'Communicated, to the anllior in the
the libt of liirds, have been noted by a com- meiuli of pily, 1903.
46 HISTORY OF THF, OUEEN's COUNTY.
spirit and flcetness over the whole world. ^Moreover, it was a breed
good for all general j'jurposes, produeing <.'xccllent carriage, riding and
driving horses, sure-looted, while most serviceable for the farmer's use
imder the common cart or in ploughing. It was an animal of good
frame, bony, sinewy and muscular, with well and cleanly proportioned
limbs, having smooth hair, and the prevalent colour being bay, brown
or sorrel. About sixty or seventy years ago, English thorough-bred
sires were introduced into the County, with good results for producing
excellent hunters, when crossed with the okl Irish breed of mares.
About fifty years ago, Clydesdale sires for draft and agricultural
purposes were introduced, and a first cross with the native brood-mares
was apparently attended with good results ; but a continuation of that
mode of breeding has caused undoubted deterioration, in our losing
by degrees the old hard}? and good type of Irish horses. Instead, we
are left with strong and large, but soft in flesh and coarsely-haired
animals, which, although fairly serving for heavy cartage and brewers'
drays, are altogether unlit for riding, hunting or carriage use, not to
speak about general farming operations. About twenty years ago,
another English breed, known as Shire sires, were brought into the
County, with much the same results as the Clydesdale ; both breeds
are slow in motion and heavy-looking, their chief recommendation
being their size, although their muscular development is not nearly so
serviceable in proportion. Somewhat about the same date, another
J{nglish breeder, called the Suffolk Punch Sire, was introduced, but
this animal was not in request, and was found to be most unsuitable,
l)eing slow and inactive in movement, and not fitted for trotting ; in-
variably the breed is of a whole chesnut colour. All of these breeds are
utterly unsuitable for agriculturists in the Queen's County, nor should
farmers for their own special wants favour the propagation of those
animals. Moreover, within the last fifteen years, Yorksliire or Hackney
coach horses have crept into the County ; but as they have not {proved
satisfactorj' in keep or action, they are no longer in request.
Thirty years have passed, since excellent hunters were bred and
trained by the gentry and large farmers, as hunting was then a favourite
])astime. Those animals then reared were not excelled by any in
most other Irish counties. At present, they are much fewer in number,
many having been sold by their former owners, but as good prices are
realized for them, especally in England, there is still a prospect of
increase in the breeding of hunters by adopting the requisite methods.
At the present time, a strong desire prevails among experienced
horse-breeders and practical agriculturists, that some effective measures
be taken to reviv^e and propagate the old Irish breed of horses. For
this purpose, a Stud Book of that particular species should be formed ,
and kept with careful registration of such animals by the Royal Dublin
Society. It seems to be very strange, and it is certainly much to be
deplored, that a valuable strain of blood and bone should be allowed
to become almost extinct, owing to the ill-judged caprice of former
importers and the distribution of their fancied animals. It is the universal
opinion of Queen's County horse-breeders and farmers, that owing
to our mares having been mated with the Scotch Clydesdales, and
the English Shire Stallions, more injury has been done to hunter-breeding
than can well be imagined. After so many years of trial, and still without
a correct knowledge prevailing on the subject, imported draught horses,
instead of improving have deteriorated largely the old l)reed ; while
;^ooLor.v, i-atna— ni)Mi-;sruAri;i) animals. 47
tlie idea now prevailing is to revive it, ami thus to |)iocuie an animal
of that good tvpe, free as can be obtained from either Shire or Clydesdale
blood. ' Dinang the last fifty \-ears, we had still good thorough-bred
sires standing in the County, and when mated with the old Irish
brood-mares, their offsprings were invarialily animals of rare excellence.
There can be no tioubt, it is to the thorough-bred ^ire we have
to loolc. so that we ma\- be able tn counteract the bad effects
tile Shire and Clydesdale blood has jirodvuetl in our native breed of
horses. At present, the standani of our brood-mares has so deteriorated,
that it is onlv in exceptional ra-es we can find one fitted to mate with
a thorough-bred sire, so as to hav<- .any reasonable hope of producing
a lirst class animal. Now it ought to be the special care of the Agricultural
and Teclmical Department, to engage their Inspectors to report and
select as many good sires and mares of the recogni'^ed type as possible
throughout Ireland, and register them in a special Stud Book of the
breed. Siutalile m--aMiie-, sIkuiM be taken, while it is possible to do
V), lor tl;e proi)agation and revival of a l)reed, endued with such charac-
fen^^tic and desirable pro;x-nie.>. If .iction of this sort were effected, the
hi-h hoi.M-bieedrrs and f.irnieis might secure large prices for animals
<>!' thrii leaiHi:', au-i Ix-coj!!.- nwiieis of mares that should supply the
I'nited Kin.;dom and ir.ore di-tant countries with the best hunters
in the woild.
l'(.r th<- l.i-.t two ienturi<-<«. g<K><l :,r^\ swift race hor^ls were bred and
kept 1:1 il.-- County, ( lu. :lv !<'r the -poning gfnti\-. Among these were
v-.T.-: i<-:::.;:i..ible st< •■j'!e-< h.»^-er->. In ;<< eiit veais also, many were not
.il(.iie sU' . '--Irjlonli!.-!! .i:.<l l-;r.gU>!j i.ice-couises, but even on tlie Continent
prj/' s v.<:i- \\i'.\ \>v w ATi.tl among them. I'or ^ome of those racers
.11. d *-;■• J !'■■»!;. k'<-:b i.Hfic jiurs have Ix-en obtained.
n.'- j.w;i;rs of I.-i.Jj fxtfattion have been found useful animals for
lAiu,r:.s ::; the Gjumv, an'l they are very numerous. They are easily
{".i. ii hj:-.!y cor.NlJtntion, of sliajely form, and of different colours,
.!•:;». tttAtu .'I lay prcvajimg. Dealers" are constantly engaged iri buying
'■: utII::-.^' t'.rjn. 'ami many of those animals are imported, principally
tu.isn i'vf.KJKuiihl. Tliey arc of much greater value than some others of
tifirjr <U\^, \\]'.uh have U-cn recently imported from Iceland and Shetland.
Ih" A^'K-^ v: iX^nkies in the County are kept mostly by the cottiers
iivt! v:;;jil f.i:rn<TS for drawing light loads of turf, manure, field and
Ka:d«-n vct:r!abl<^ ; they are also found to be useful for market and
fair riT;-.)jr(n-.cnts. They are very hardy, useful animals, and feed on
coarse ((<xl, which is readily procurable, and almost without cost to
t.K-ir <;\vf.ers. The Genet, a cross between a sire Pony and a female
Ass. is also pretty numerous ; but the Mule, a cross between a sire Ass
and a mare, is now seldom met with in the Queen's County."
Mr. James A. Mulhall of Pass House, Maryborough, has furnished
the following very detailed and accurate account of the cattle and stock,
native and imported, which are most in request, and he has thus noticed
their distribution among the gentry and farming classes : — ^
Cattle. — " The Queen's County is notable for raising and rearing
good cattle, principally of the Shorthorn breed, that were introduced
into it, over fifty 3'ears ago.* The Shorthorn is remarkable for its size,
■' In a comimmicatiou ilated Pass House, Granstown Manor, Ballacolla ; John Loftus
Maryborough, June, 1903. Bhind, Esq., J. P., Blandsfort, Abbeyleix ; the
* IJy the following well known breeders late \Vm. Rowe, Esq., Mountrath, and the
an. 1 gentlemen — Right Hon. Lord Castletown, late IIuin[)hrey Smith, Esq., Mountmellick.
4S HISTCJRV OF THE QUIlKX'S COUNTY.
•
symmetry and its ilrsli-producing qualities. It i-^ ol'ckcp red, white, or
roan Colour. It has been crossed with the old lii>h breed of dairy cattle
that are now nearly extinct in the County. The old Irish cow was a
low, lenL;lhy animal, of narrow shaj-e, with lar^'c turnt'd up horns,
of a light red colour, often found with white stripe along thu back from
shoulder to tail, and sometimes found ha\'ing streaks of black with
light red. It is known as a brindled cow. The old Irish cattle weie
more remarkable for milk production than for that of beef. Their
cross with the shorthorn breed helped to improve cattle very much
in the County. The local cattle fairs ar'> much irctiuented, jxarticukarly
those of Kathdownc}' and Ballinakill, which arc usually fully stocked
with well-shaped and growthy store-cattle. Large numbers of gentlemen,
graziers and buyers attend those fairs and make numerous purchases
to stock and fatten on the rich lands of the midland counties.^ A great
number of the well-to-do tenant farmers throughout the Countv purchase
from 3'ear to year pure bred shorthorn sires, at the Royal Dublin Societ\'
Spring Show, and bring them to th(>ir farms, where their service greath'
influences the impro\'ement of cattle among die neighbouring small
farmers. Aberdeen Angus cattle are also raisetl in the County. The\'
are of a deep red or black colour, with great length and depth of body ;
they have short legs and are hornless ; they are more intended for beef-
production than for dairy purposes; consequently they afenot a favourite
breed with the farmers, as they are not suitable for his immediate and
several requirements.'' The Hereford breed is of a red colour with
white face, mane and throat ; the beef of the Hereford is peculiarly
tender and fine grained, but it is often deficient in the quantity of in-
ternal fat, and therefore it is not jirofitable butclier's meat. A cross
with the pure Hereford sire, and the old comriion cow of the County,
gives a progen^', which forms splendid butter producers." The Kerry
breed is small in size, of a black or red colour. V(M"v hardv, producing a
rich milk, and \'aluable for its suital)leness to certain localities throughout
the County. It is very suitable for cottagers who can afford to keej)
one cow.^
SiiKEP. — The Queen's County is notalde for the raising of first class
sheep and of different breeds. The sheep flocks throughout the County
'^.\t the i)icscnt time there are a y;ood l)reei1('rs of ihi- Alicrdccn Ant;ns cattle in llie
mam' lueeders nf the pure shorthorn, cmnilv, and t-\en in the United Kingdom,!-,
AmonL^st the t;entry are to be luund the ful- Arthur j. Owen, list]., J. P., Shanvai^hey,
li'wiiiL; — Lorti de Vesci, iVbbeyleix ; Miss llalkacolla, anil also of hlessiinHon, Couniy of
.Staples, Dunniore, Durrow ; and Captain J. \Vicklo\v. Other breeders oi the Aberdeen
L. liland, Dlandsford, liallyroan. Many Animus stock are I, oid Castletown, Oranstown
larcje i'arniers have also taken to the raising Manor, liallacolla ; K. F. II. While, l^si].,
and rearing of the pure shorlhorn. Amongst. Aghalioe, llillacolla, and Captain J. L.
these may be named — Alfred Smith, Escp, Bland, blandsioit, Hallyroan.
]\lountmellick ; T. L. Hodgins, Ksq. , Brook- '^Colonel C. M. Kennnis, C.M.G., Killeeii,
vale, M.iryborough ; (icorge N. Je'ssop, Esq., Mountmellick, is the only recognised breeder
Maryborough, etc., etc., and are doing so of the pure Hereford cattle in the county who
with great credit and success, Ijy carrying off goes in for them extensively, and who carries
prizes with their exhil'ils of the pure shorthorn off |)rizes for his exhibits of the Hereford at
at the l\0)'al Dublin Society Siunv, at Queen's the Koval I'ulihn Society S]iring SImw.
County Agricultural Society Show, and at -"^ We had a large breeiler of the pnrc
other local county Shows. Some of those Kerry cattle m the former Lord de
exhibits and prize-winners are bought at Vesci, Abtieyleix, ■who kept a large
long prices for the Argentine Repulilic, South hertl, and carried away many prizes
America, to improve the native breed of \\ith them at the Royal Dnblin Society
cattle. Show, as also at the local shows held in the
'"One of the most notable and successful fhieen's Countv.
ZOOLOGY, FAUNA — DOMESTICATliD ANIMALS.
49
lia\-e improved much within the past tifty years. Several of the gentry
and many well-to-do large farmers have introduced from time to' time,
to their respective flocks, sheep of a distinct and jnne breed. At presi'ut
(lie following different breecls are to be found, viz. : — The ' Border
Leicester,' ' Lincoln,' ' Shropshire,' ' Cheviot,' ' Roscommon,' ' Oxford
Down," ' Dorset Horned,' ' Kerry,' ' Wicklow,' or mountain sheep.
The Border Leicester was first introduced into the County in iSby or
I.S68, by Wilham Davidson, Esq., Esker Lodge, Timahoe. The ISorder
Leicester is a large white-faced sheep, with a neat frame, a good fleece of
wool, and great aptitude to fatten. The mutton has however too
large a proportion of fat, and it is therefore not so saleable as the mutton
of other breeds/-' The Lincoln or long wool sheep is noted for the great
weight and lustrous peculiarity of its fleece. It has a glossiness which
is much prized, as that is retained when manufactured mto various
fabrics. Instances of fleeces weighing as much as thirty-four lbs. have
been clipped off from Lincoln sheep, in tlie Jlocks of some of the exten-
sive farmers near Maryborough, who are now amongst the largest and
most successful breeders of the Lincoln shec]> in the County, and who
have also introduced, in 1902, the Oxford Down sheep, that heretofore
were little known in the County. A specially careful breeder of tliis
class of sheep in the county was WilHam Young, Esq., J. P., Brockley
Park, Stradbally. The Oxford Down is a fine sheep, ^\ith a large hand-
some frame, having a black or grey face, close wool and firm mutton.
'I'he ewes are moderately prolific, one of the chief merits of their lambs
l)eing their size and maturity at an early age.
Numerous flocks of Shropshire sheep and of the pure breed
are in the County. I'J The Shropshire sheep has a fine fleece of thick
wool and a well-covered head, a carcase long, wide and deep, with plenty
of lean flesli. They have robustness of constitution and aptitude to
fatten. The colour of their face and legs is black or grev. The ewes
are good nurses and very prolific. The rams of this breed are in great
demand by many farmers of the County to cross with Kerry, Wicklow,
or mountain ewes, and they generallv insure a good progeny of lambs
that fatten early for the markets. The large Roscommon class of sheep
is very scarce in the County. It is the largest of all breeds, while the
sheep have shapely and handsome frames, well covered with flesh, and
having a great propensity to fatten, but fur grazing they require the
best of warm limestone land. They handle soft, and their mutton
is large but coarse-grained. 11 The Cheviot is also very scarce in the
County, although a very useful white-faced sheep. The e\\-es are re-
markably good sucklers. Cheviots have not a heav\' fleece, but it is
very fine in quality, while their mutton is excellent'-. The Dorset horned
sheep are very few in the County, although very prolific, as having two
births of lambs in the year, viz., in the spring and autumn. The Kerry,
" At the present time the following large Robert Hamilton Stubber, Esq., Movne,
:iii(l successful breeders of the pure-border Durrow ; R. F. H. White, lvs(j., Aghaboc,
l.eiceslcr sheep are— Miss Staples, Dunmore, Ballacolla. These gentlemen take pii.-es
I )arrow; Sir Algernon Coote, Ballyfin ; Right with tlieir sheep at all the noted sliows
Hon. Viscount Ashbrook, Durrow Castle, and tlirougliout Ireland and England.
.Matthew II. Frank-,, Esip, J. P., Westficld, "William Del.mey, Esq.', M.P., is one of
.Mountrath. the largest and most successful breeders of
'"These are chielly bred by Colonel Robert the Roscommon stock in the county.
Ashworlh Godolphin Cosby, Esq., Stradbally '-Robert Onions, Esq., Borris, Mary-
Ilall; Sir Hunt Walsh, Bart , Ballykilcavan, boiough, is a large breeder of the Ciieviot
Slr.ulb.dly ; b'lin L. Bland, I'sci., Blandsfort; sheep in tlie countV.
E
5° HISTORY OF THE QU1;KN'.S COUNTY.
Wicklow and j\Iountain Sheep are very small. Large flocks of them
pass through the County every year, aliout July and August, driven
by dealers. They are disposed of at the rates of 7s. to 15s. to farmers
in the County who keep them for a year or two, for breeding purposes,
crossed with a pure bred ram of the Shropshire, Lincoln, or Border-
Leicester. They are very prolific and great sucklers ; moreover, they
thrive where other sheep of the pure breed should perish.
Goats.— The County is well stocked with goats, particularly in
the mountain and hilly districts. Their fleece is usually of a black, brown
or white colour. Several of them are hornless goats, and of a black, brown
or grey colour. Their milk is most nutritious, especially for children,
and as their feeding requires little care, their keeping is usually favoured
by the cottagers and small farmers ; but if allowed to range at large
along the road-sides, as they often are found browsing on the hedge-
rows and especially on the young hawthorn buds, they are very destructive
to fences, and therefore not much in request by the large farmers.
SwiXE.— Large numbers of swine are raised and fattened, while
nearly every town in the County has a monthly pig-market, where
buyers attend, man\' from Limerick, Waterford and Dublin. Like the
cattle, swine have also improved greatly within the past thirty years.
Previous to that time, the country pig was a long flat-ribbed animal
with good shoulders, rather narrow back, tail placed low, good hams,
thick bristly coat, and all placed on long legs. THeir colour was white
with grey spots, and they never fattened until they were twelve months
old or more. Afterwards, however, they reached an enormous weight,
sometimes going to thirty or forty stone. During latter years many
new breeds from England have been introduced, viz., the Berkshire,
which are very hardy, particularly when young, and they require less
care than other imported breeds. They are of a black colour, with a
star or white flash down the forehead, "their feet and tip end of tail
white ; the neck is muscular, the shoulders are wide, and the ribs flat ;
they have somewhat narrow loins and hind quarters, a drooping rumj) ;
the bone of their legs is thick and coarse. Moreover, the coat is very
coarse, and they are rather hard to fatten. Consequently, they are not
favourites now-a-days, and they are very scarce. The Tamworth or
red pigs are bred in the County, but in one corner of it only, at Emil,
on the borders of Tipperary. They are of a red colour, having long head,
body and legs, with deep flat ribs, and they scarcely ever fatten until
they are twelve months old.
The principal breeds of swine now in the County are the small
Yorkshire and the large white Yorkshire pigs. The small white Yorker
IS short, with upturned snout, and the lower jaws are dished ; these
animals have prick ears, with heavy jowls or cheeks ; their necks are
somewhat long, but notably padded with flesh. Their shoulders are
well apart and well joined to hoop-like ribs ; their hind quarters are
long and square, with flesh down to the hocks ; the tail is very slender ;
the legs are short and placed well apart ; their whole carcase is covered
with soft and silky hair. They are easily fattened, and weigh about
twelve to thirteen stone at seven months old. Still on account of
their small size and ugly faces they are not general favourites with the
people, who prefer the large York breed. These animals grow into
pigs of twelve to si.xteen stone weight at the age of eight or nine
months.i3 The large Yorkshire pig is purely white, with short square
head, and having somewhat drooping ears. It'is rather slight in the neck
ZOOLOGY, FAUNA — DOMESTICATED ANIMALS. 5 1
it has good shoulders, a long back, good hams, a thick wavy coat, and
large bony legs.
Dogs. — The Queen's County cannot boast of any i)articular breed
or variety of dogs. Attached to all the farmers' homes in the
("ounty is found the useful, faithful and intelligent collie or sheep-dog,
iNualJy black and tan in colour, and of medium size. Irish
ii-rriers and English or fox terriers are very numerous, and are very
Useful for killing rats, mice and rabbits. Greyhounds are to be found
in the districts of Maryborough, Mountrath, Ballinakill, Portarlington,
Hallyhnn, W'olfhill and colliery districts, where many sportsmen and
'■(unsing nifn reside. Bull terriers, are very scarce and rarely seen
in the rur.il ilistricts ; they are generally kept about towns. Mastiffs
a:c \-er\- lew, and only to be found about Stradbally and Carlow Graigue.
I cann(jt saN' if anyone in the County has an Irish Wolf-dog. I made
inquirifs. and could not find one.
At present there are no P"oxliounds in the County. R. Hamilton
Mulilvr, Ksq., J. P., and also Colonel Robert Cosby, of Stradbally Hall,
KM-d to krc]) a ])ack of Foxhounds that hunted the County for many
\car>. :\[ this ]ir(.si'nt time, the County is hunted by the Castlecomer
Hound-", owned by Prior W'andesforde, Esq., J. P., D.L., who has a
^J'l•■^did pack of En,L;li>h Foxhounds. During the Hunting season, the
(..'astleccMuer hounds meet one da\- in the week, at \he following places ;
In t!ie I.eix di\-iMon of the Connt\-, they meet at Pdandst'ort and di'aw
l)v:r\loie .md CuU-iiagh cov^m's : they meet at Swan and draw Wolf-
hill and Mov.idd co\-ers; at TinKihoe tlie\' draw Sling, Fosse\' and
Kiibiide'> (ik-n ; at I.;ini!ierton, tlie\- draw the Croshyduff and
"^J'.t fTi' Id (Dveis; at I'.ilhkilr.iwin, the\' dr.iw the woods surrounding
It. 1 ii'- Kind's ("ounty h(nin(b hunt the ()ssor\' division of the
<'o:;!i5v.'' S'e\t:al ol the i.;'^''!^'}' '" ^he County keej) Pointers.
Vttr:> (In-"!.) ;i!id a few l-'ngli^h Setter> are to be found, but verv
vjd'ni A < r •:d<'U S<tter. Tlieie .lie Keti ie\c'rs, Irish Water Spaniels,
(«xk<r >p.ij.jrU, li<.ai;K-.*., l'.i>M;t Houiid>, Dachshunds, Skye Terriers,
T'-e,' I>v ,:>, rutjur.isa.ins, r<)».ili<->, Dandy Diiunont and Airedale Terriers,
l»-n!'<'* vutjaii.* lirt-t-ds of l.idu>' laj)-dogs, and of foreign extraction.
I v./iK! rvil ]ir.AT ♦>! .1 >inf;l<' I'lood Hound or Newfoundland Dog to be
j;-^! wv'.h jM tho ('«'Uijty ; but I l>elieve, there are some St. Bernards,
A->i fitr*! |)aiic I>-">i:> to In.' fouiul. We have a nasty lot of mongrels
to itp t^rru III c\cry {^-.isanl's cabin in the County, crosses between
»|j«-<j^ it-x^-s, ?<nirr> and f.;ie\ hounds, ill-bred, ill-fed and ill-used.
< .\t» " M,r (^'.-jirral brrcd (if cats, which are good mousers, does not
wrn» Uj ad::vs! o{ iiiucli varietv, and they ar.' of the old Irish species,
»n r^rts varjrlv of colour, .^omc of a foreign extraction and as " pets"
arc to }?c foiiiul. cJ.ifliy in tlu' houses of the gentry, and chiefly prized
ift tl.rjr jK-cuii.iritv o( shajx.- and characteristics.
iVti'MKV. — I'nlil in rrccnt years, there was no particular class of
Poultry in the County, but only a mixed gathering of barn-door fowl
t i a ^^^'<K^ laying; strain. In later years, however, several distinct varieties
Lave U-vn iiitruducvd I'y many enterprising fowl fanciers, amongst
•' .\t the pfr-rti! litur. the I)ci>ar!uu-r\t <if uinlcil to cnco\iragL' the improvement of the
.\^fi( u'.iufc *n<i Ti-itmiral Invtructinri oiler liree'l of ]iii;s throughout the coimtry.
j'lrijii-m* of £5 cmU, !hroii^;li the t'ovimy ^* Mr. ^loore f)f Creniorgan keeps a
< •uiicils. and j^t.inl thcv ten ^'5 orrmiums pack of harriers for his own private use
!•■: iJistriliution to the ten ownrfb olliu.-iis uf in huiuirif^ hares over his property,
ihc tM;c Ijrgc Yorkshire hreed. Tins is in- and on tlie adjoining estates.
52 inSTOUY OF THE QUEENS COUNTV.
the gentry and farmers throughout the County, for their own use and
profit. The sale of their eggs at 3s. to 5s. per setting to their neighbours
was rather excessive, and with such prices for twel\'e or thirteen eggs,
it was scarcely possible for new breeds to liourish and multiply amongst
tlie peasantry, the chief persons who suj^plv the local markets with
fresh eggs and early chickens. However, thanks to the Department
of Agriculture, and with the approval of the County Council, they have
established several egg stations or poultry farms, where incubators are
to be found. Also, by offering and giving premiums of £$ each, to people
who undertake the keeping of one pure breod of fowl in their yard or on
their farm, and by their distributing the eggs of these purely bred fowl of a
distinct breed at one shilling per dozen to their neighbours or to any
resident of the County, much practical encouragement has been gi\'en
to the breeding of barn-door fowl amongst the farmers and peasantrj-.
Already the Committee of Agricultural and Technical Education
have appointed and sent a qualihed instructress on poultry to lecture
in the National Schools during the evenings, in several of the rural
districts throughout the County, the people Ix'ing admitted free to all
of those lectures. In 1903 five poultry farms had been established
in the County ; and one of these was placed in each union district, viz.,
of Abbeyleix, of Mountmellick, of Roscrea, of Athy, and of Slie\'emargy,
respectively ; and thus they were lately stocked with thirty-three pure bred
fowl of Buff Orpington and Black filinorca breed. The Buff Orpington
is a large and buff-coloured fowl, and it is one selected for general purposes.
It is equally good for laying and for table use, and especiaUy it is a great
winter layer. The Black Minorca is a small black fowl, and it is prized
principally for laying.'^
Turkeys. — These birds are raised and reared extensively throughout
the County. Nearly every farmer rears from ten to thirty young turkeys
each year. Some very industrious wives or daughters of farmers are
known to rear over one hundred turkeys in the year, and to dispose of
them in local markets at Christmas, from los. to 22s. a pair. Turkeys' eggs
are eaten, but are looked on more or less as a luxury, because the good
housewife does not like to use a turkey egg, that possibly might pro-
duce a bird worth los. or 12s.
Geese.— These also arc very generally reared, and their eggs are often
eaten, but these are not thought so much about as duck eggs. However,
geese are getting to be scarce in the County, owing to the fact, that
farmers do not like to have them on their land, as they are thought to
damage it much in a variety of ways. Ducks arc very numerous, and
particularly the breed known as the Indian Runner. These birds areof small
size and of graceful appearance, while they are wonderful layers. Also
the Queen's County Canadian duck is a species peculiar to the County. i"
'"' All of these departmental fowl were im- became tame, such as partridge,
ported from England. Other breeds of im- pheasant, and wild duck, with a croas-
ported fowl in the county are the Plymouth ing of the wild drake and the Indian
Rock, White and Bruwn Leghorn, the Runner duck. He produced by this
Dorkings, the Black Spanish, Blue Andalu- method the wonderfulhardy, graceful biril,
sian, Wvaiidotte, etc., etc. which proved such an extraordinary
i** This Inced is supposed to have been layer, and that he called the Canadian Duck,
first introrluced by the late Rick At present wc often see advertised lor
Ivennedy, Esq., when residing at Pass sale in the Weekly FreentaiCs Journal (\wvV
House, Man,'borough. He was a great fowl eggs of tiie (Queen's Countv Canadian breed,
and bird fancier. He used to keep and they are greatly in rei|tiest.
wild birtls in capitivity, until the}-
ZOOLOGY, FAUNA — DOMESTICATED ANIMALS, 53
We have also 'the Aylesbury, Pekin and Roweii cluck ; tliesc arc more
adapted for table use than for laying purposes. ^^
Bees. — Formerly in almost every comfortable farmstead throughout
the County, and frequently in the smaller holdings, the hives of domesti-
cated bees, as distinguished from honey-bees that in a wild state built
their nests in the meadows, were to be seen. At the j^resent time,
nevertheless, the bee or honey-industry is greatly neglected, and you
might travel from north to south, from east to west, over the County,
and not notice in a score of gardens, attached to dwelling-houses, any
stock of bee-hives. '^ It is expected, that instructors in the Bee in-
dustry shall soon be appointed by the departmental Committee of
Agricultural and Technical Education, to instruct the people of the
C()n]it\' in this profitable occupation of bee-keeping. In reference to
this subject, I cannot specify an^^ distinct class or variety of those most
industrious, useful and valuable insects."
«" The following breeds of Poultry are at JNIaryborougli on tlie Asylum
be found in the County : — ^rounds.
(i) Dorkings (scarce.) ^-^ A small farmer lives near tlie Rock of
{-} Plymouth Rocks (plentiful.) Ca.shel in the barony of Cullenngh) and a near
(5) P.rahmas (scarce.) neighbour of mine), lias ihi-, present xear. i()f)^,
(4) Black Minorcas (plentiful) tliiiiy hives of busy bees wnrkm^^r ^viUi all
(c) White Leghorns (numerous) their miglit, going back and Inrv.ard d.iily to
{')) Old Irish^Game (verv scarce) the Ca^hel and Callenagh bog-., bringing
(7) liuff Orpington (verV plentiful) their sweet stores from the heather and wik]
(>S) Wyandottes (scarce)' flowers. NUjreover, all of those thirty _ hives
(9) Indian Came (numerous) resulted from a swarm that came to him by
(10) ]''avorelles (scarce.) accident about four years ago. He has a
.\11 these varieties of domesticated fowl numerous and young fannly, who are doubt-
w. rr e.\!nt>ited bv the gentry and farmers less regaled with it, and the farmer in ques-
at the f'ue'-a'b C'liuiilv (Lv rr-ir',.n;^ of tioii slated, that he never sells any of the
li.e County) .Xg'u idt ,i:..l Show, lield honey.
54 HISTORY OF THE QUEEN S COUNTY.
BOOK II-ANTIOUARIAN AND PAGAN
HISTORY.
Chapter I. — Monuments and Antiquities.
The Pre-historic remains in Ireland are considered to have Iteen those
which existed previous to, or within a Hmited period after, the intro-
duction of Christianity in the fifth century, and they consist chiefiy of
cromlechs, oghams, cairns, tumuh, stone forts, stone circles, beehive stone-
huts, pillar-stones, rock-markings, urns, weapons, and other ancient
instruments. "■
The surface of the Queen's County is very thickly strewed with
different Forts or Raths, which are shown on the Ordnance Survey
Townland Maps, and many of these are remarkable in size and con-
struction. For the most part, they seem to have been erected as en-
closures for former strongholds or houses of individuals. They are usually
circular in shai)e, and outlined by an embankment covered with a thick
growth of hawthorn or briars, and having a deep circumvallation as the
outer boundary. The peasantry had aprevailng superstition, that thev
were habitations or ]:)laces for fairy resort, and, that ill-luck was sure to
betide those who should seek to remove them. It is probably owing to
this popular belief, that so many still remain ; but nevertheless, a great
number of the liclcl-raths have been levelled within the last century, and
chiefiy to enlarge the area for pasturage or agriculture.
The remarkable Duns- or Forts^ and truncated cones, so marked as
features of a very remote age in Ireland, are to be met with in certain
parts. In some instances, those are primarily of natural formation, and.
when of stone, artificial surroundings of escarpment have been wrought,
as in the case of the very remarkable old Forts of Dunamase, of Clopoke
and of Luggacurren. In like manner, where rounded earthen elevations
had been formed, these were shaped into higher truncated cones by
digging the soil around their lower sides and piling it on the top. Generally
mounds and circumvallations are to be found enclosing very old ceme-
teries and church sites ; but, it is greatly to be regretted, that in many
instances, the poor-law guardians when enlarging several of the rural
grave-yards have also destroyed those ancient remains. At Aghaboe,
towards the north of the church, there is a very remarkable truncated
cone, and it is surrounded by a deep fosse. At top, it is about forty-five feet
in diameter. A wall ran round its summit, and tlie ascent to it was by an
undulating pathway. It probably served as a fort, to protect the inmates
1 See Wal^eman's " Handbook of antiquarian sense, it is usually applicil
Irish Antiquities," Third edition, by to a lortilied hill.
John Cooke, M.A. (Dub.), chap, i., ^ They were small protected places,
p. 2. Dublin. 1903, Xvo. surrounded with a ditch, rampart or
-An old Celtic word, meaning paraj^et. In Ireland, where they are ex-
" hillock." whence comes the Latin, ceedmgly numerous. Moats had nearly
dnmnii, and the l-'reiicli ihi>tc. In an the ^anie meanini;.
MONUMENTS AM) ANTI(^riTI i:s. 55
of the monastery or the townspeople about it, durin.c; the Northmen in-
vasions, ii indeed it liad not a still earlier origin. An ancient lorlitica-
tion, called the Rath of Lara, or otherwise the Moat of Monacoghlan,*
is within the parish of Aghaboe, and its circumvallations are very curious.
On the highest point of the Boley Hills, and not far from the woods of
(iracefield, there is an extensive and elevated earthwork mound called
Dundrum, " the fort of the ridge." The summit is 130 yards in diameter,
and it is enclosed by a high bank. Within this enclosure, there is a well
of fine water. At the base, a fosse thirty feet wide at the bottom surrounds
the Dun, from which there is an uncommonly vast range of view.^
The Cashels or strong stone-built forts were numerous, and usually
they gave name to the townlands in which they had been situated. A
specimen is still to be seen in the parish of Offerilane, and which has a
large fort named Cashel.'^ Near the old church of Killeshin, there is a
very remarkable elevated mound, the ascent to the top of which from the
lower ground-level is exceedingly steep. It was surrounded by a deep
losse, but at present it is much reduced in de])th. A very remarkable
moat and cone shaped is to be seen at Ballyroan. This is circular in form
and flat on the top. A winding pathway is carried round the sides, from
the lower level to the topmost stage. It j^resented a picturesque appear-
ance beside the town, as finely grown trees had been planted around
the sides.
Towards the close of the early Stone Age, the custom of burning the
bodies of the dead s<'ems to have been practised by the inhabitants of
the British Isles. The dead were also disposed ol by ordinary burial,
and by j^lacing the bodv in a hori>:ontal, sitting, or per])endicuiar posi-
tion. Such methods wne jiractised throughout the whole succeeding
a!(h;eoloL;ical ]iciio(l, or Bron/e age, as numerous remains testify. When
ru-niated, the ( .tl( nud remains were [)laced in an urn, and tlicn deposited,
often as stated v.ilh a small food ver-sel. within an artificial chamber,
tailed a Ci-i or Kistwe:;. This was usually a small rectangular chamber
111. '.lie ot fi.u''^ or lude stones. ()\'er those chambers it was customary
to co\.r with eaitheii mounds or to laise a cairn of stones. However,
the ("i-t has l>ecn frequently found in oj^en fields and in other unex-
|-i'ct'.d pi.i' es.* In ihc townland of Cirange and jiarish of Dysart Enos,
.*•!:. I>.in;el lUine (Icsciibed a sei)ul(dn"e of unusual shape,* and jiresented
».».«•!< !;<•> <){ It to the Kilkenny Arclux'ological Society. The iiionument
l.>v al-^nst t\v(i lect K-nenth the surface, and in sandy earth. It was formed
I't tl u: Ii.'f.r >to!ies. which were set on their edges, and covered over with
ftnullcr itoiifs. Tills sepulchre contained a great quantit\- of ashes, oak,
» h.irco.il jt) stii.dl jx)rtions. and some few bones. Fire seemed to have had
f;ir.it fi.rco uithin this chamber, as the stones comi)Osiiig it appeared
rrustct! with June. In his very complete and learned work, "The Dol-
mens ol Ireland." William Coi^eland Borlase mentions a supposed
l>ohiK-u, in the tow nl.md of Manger, adjoinmg that of Coolrush. and in the
* ("opjH-r-pl.itc rn^:r.i\ui:;s <>i its ap- " See '■ Walunum's Handbook of Irisli
j>r.ir.incc. aii'l a Kr<"i'»il plan, .ixc j^ivcn .Vntuiuities," Third edition, edited [ly
l>> Krv. Dr. Lcdwich. m a Memoir wliich John Cooke, M..\. (IJub.). chap, ii., p.
has apiH-an-d lu li:-> " .\tilupiitus of 40.
Ircl.ind." •'* Said to reseml)le the print of a shoe
•In the ye;ix 179H, a J'arty of in- for the ri;;ht foot. That part answering
biir>;tnts cKcupied this as a {xjsition, but to the lieel of the slioe was made by
• •nlv fur a short time. small stones set one over the other.
•See " Ordii.uue Siirve>' TownLuui The cireular part of this tomb was al)out
M.ips fjir the Oiieen's County." Sheet 22. nine feet in circumference.
56 HISTORY OF THE QUKEn's COUNTY,
parish of Tullomoy.'-* It is marked Ass's Manger on t])c Ordnance Survey
Townland INIap.^*^ In the townland of Monamanry and parish of Tullomoy,
about a mile and a-quarter west from the Ass's Manger, there is a Dohiien
marked Druid's Altar on the Ordnance Survey Townland IMap.^^ The
Cromleac on the top of Coolrus Hill, in the parish of Ballyadams has been
described by Mr. Daniel Byrne. The removal of earth from the south
side of "this Cromleac caused the upper stone to slip from its original
position, and it now rests with its southern edge on the roadside, the
other end being supported by two upright stones measuring respectively
four and five feet in height. Many rectangular Cists containing
burned bones were opened near that Cromleac, but in them was
no trace of urns, arms or ornaments.^- At no time could the
upper stone, in Mr. Byrne's opinion, have been more than one
foot six inches above the surface of the hill. Underneath it how-
ever, was a square pit sunk about five feet, faced with large
flags and dry masonry. The upper edges of the' flags which formed
this pit were level with the surface of the hill^ and when the upper
stone was in its original position, about two feet of the pit was left un-
covered to the north. The upper stone measured eight feet by six feet
and a half, and it was twelve inches thick. To the cast, a passage like
a sewer, and about three feet square, extended nine feet in an easterly
direction from the pit, and opened on the hill's surfac(?. It was formed
by flags and dry masonry, well built and covered over, and had not any
communication with the pit, being separated therefrom by the large flag
which formed the east side of it. Adjoining the west side of the pit, two
flags about three feet high were firmly fixed in the earth in a chair-like
fashion. Close to these were discovered the calcined remains of a con-
siderable quantity of bones belonging to some large animals. At a radius
of about one hundred and fifty feet from this monument, formerly stood a
circle of upright stones, now removed. ^^ Mr. Borlase, who regards this
monument as of a most instructive character, thinks that itself and that of
Grange already described had been burning places, in which bodies were
consumed, rather than Dolmens. ^^ He also compares the Coolrus monu-
ment to a crcniatorium he had examined at Tregiffian in West Corn-
wall, and in which fire had been kindled for the burning of dead bodies. i''
The pagan custom in Ireland of interment in Kistvaons or Cists
has been proved by several discoveries of these in the Queen's County.'^
As the word cist signifies a box or chest, those receptacles generally
9 See vol. ii.,p. 374. Mainsair Asal, i.e. cinders or ashes, from the ash-heaps that
Asses' Manner, is also the name of a he around them. See Alex, du Met^a,
dohnen at Gahvay in Ivilkenny. " ArcheoL Pyreneennes," voL iii., p.
1" Sheet 25. ' and n. p. 20.
^^ See sheet 25. is See "The Dolmens of Ireland:
'- Sec " Transactions of the Ki'lkenny their Distribution, Structural Charac-
Archaological Society for the year 1850," teristics, and Atiinities, m other Countries
vol. i. part ii., pp. 131, 132. together with the folk-lore attaching to
12 An old man, and a resident on the them; supplemented by ConsideratK>ns
spot, assured Mr. Byrne, that he had on the Anthropology, Ethnology, and
found and opened to the south-east of the Traditions of the Irish People," vol. 11.,
structure many small rectangular cists, pp. 374, ;75, 446, 447. This valuable
formed of six flags, and containing work has been published in three royal
burnt bones, but no urns, or arms, or octavo volumes, and it is furnished with
ornaments. Four Maps and Eight hundred illus-
" In some parts of France, as for trations, including two coloured plates,
instance near Toulouse, dolmens are London, Chapman and Hall, 1807.
termed cibouyjiies, meaning piles of >'' In any that have been hitherto
!Sf^SiHAv
•*;;^<j.v>y;;; ;
l^|*■/~TR>^* ^ 'MlJif^,^
', '-vn-V
'"^.w
I
^«saaL^I^;g;ia«a
rm: DRIID'S AI.IAR.
A
I'ji.'i,'. I,
VlWi ASS'S ,MA.N<iKk.
/•:. (n:.
\'..i. I.
I a re |.Mi:c =;()■
MONUMENTS AND ANTIQUITIES. 57
*
had been formed by iijnight stones, in the former Celtic times, and dis-
posed in the shape of an elongated box, or as sometimes happened, they
have been found cut into a harder material than ordinar}' earth. Flags
or flat stones are usually placed transversely over tliem as a covering.
There were formerly many hillocks or mounds of earth, usually of cir-
cular form and artificially constructed in a cone-like shape. ^'' Several of
these have been removed, but it is to be regretted, as human remains
have been found buried beneath, that no anticuiarian investigation
regarding their appearance or position has taken place, or that even a
record of the facts survived their removal. However, in one instance,
early in the last century, when the proprietor of the lands of Cuffsborough,
in the parish of Aghaboe, had determined on levelling a mound then
existing in one of his fields, the labourers having cleared away a con-
siderable portion of earth came to a beehive-shaped structure of rough
stones. Three or four of these being removed gave entrance to a
sepulchral chamber. This measured about five feet in diameter, and it
was formed by placing a circle of large stones on edge, at the back of
which clay and small stones had been carefully rammed down ; these
stones were about three and a half feet in height from the floor of the
chamber. On the u})per edge of that circle, and with a slight ]:»rojection
over its inner face, another circle of large flat stones was laid horizontally ;
above these another row had the same projection over the former ; and
this arrangement continued upwards, until the dome was closed at the
apex with a single large stone. The floor of this chamber perfectly dry
was covered by about an inch of very fine dust ; and, lying confusedly
in the centre were the bones of two human skeletons. When the chamber
was first opened the bones were quite perfect, but when exposed to
atmos]-)heric action for a short time they crumbled away. It seemed
as if the bodies had been placed in a sitting jwsture, and that during
the process of decay, the bones had promiscuously fallen. 1=^ One of the
skulls, considerably smaller than the other, was supposed to have been
that of a female. -As no door or other aperture appeared in that sepul-
chral chamber, whereby the bodies could have been introduced, it was
supposed to have been built over them after interment. The bones
showed no trace of cremation, and that impalpable dust covering the
chamber-floor proved, that in the first instance, the bodies had been
placed there entire, and after sepulture had undergone the process of
decay. Subsequently to the completion of the rude stone-work already
described, a mound of earth was heaped up over all ; thus forming a
sepulchral iuDiuIasP Such is substantially the account given by
the learned antiquary, the Rev. James Graves, A.B., on the yth of
opened, no emblems of Christianity posture. See William Grcenwell's
were discovered, and they have been " British Barrows, a Record of the
found apart from Chris tian cemeteries. Examination of Sepulchral Mounds in
"In Irish, these sepulchral, hillocks various parts of Engand," Introduction,
are known as Tulachs. and whether pp. 24, 25.
simply or in composition they give i^ All trace of that interesting
names to many Irish localities. sepulchral chamber above described
^^In the barrows of Britain, corres- is now oI)literated. Soon after its
ponding in use and origin with the discovery, some persons, expecting to
iii/(((7/s- of Ireland, bodies are said to find a ' crock " of gold, began t(/
have been found buried in a sitting excavate beneath the upright stone.-T
position, as also in the chambered which formed t!ie sides, ami this causeii
barrows of Scandinavir', wluic m the a subsidence, which at once reduced (he
Channel Islands, liudies were in some whole structure to a mass of un
cases found interred in a kneeling distinguishable ruin.
58 HISTORY OF THE ^UEEN's COUNTY.
January, 1853, at a meeting of the Kilkenny Arcli;eological Society.-*^
Those iiiniuli and death-chambers are referable to the pagan period,
and are of remote antiquity.
In 1784 a Cist or stone coffin was found at Clonaslce. It had a covering
stone or flag of enormous size and shaped like a lozenge : in length it
was 8 ft. and in breadth 5 ft. 4 in. ; in some })ortions it was 11 in. in
thickness, a small portion at one end only 7 in. The side stones or flags
were from 8 in. to 10 in. in thickness. On oj)ening it, a very old skeleton
was discovered, the skull being placed eastwards.'-^ About the year
1840, Mr. James Lalor discovered, while ploughing on his farm near the
rock of Dunamase, an ancient grave, formed by stones placed upright,
and covered over with flat ones. These were nearly on a level with the
furrow. On removing some of the top stones, the skull and bones of a
human skeleton were found beneath. This rude se[)ulchre was thought
to have been formed in remote pagan times, and it served to illustrate
the ordinary mode of interment at a period now unknown. It seems
probable, however, that when persons of distinction had been interred,
iiilaclii — lueaning burial-places — or tuviuli had been erected over
the " fearts " or graves. On the 7th of October, 1849, Mr. Richard
Lalor unearthed a curious sepulchre of an irregiflar shape, at Clash
Field, in the townland of Grange, about two miles from Stradbally.
Its length was about twenty-one feet, \rith a breadth and depth varying
from about one foot and a-half to two feet. It contained oak, charcoal,
ashes, aiid only a few remnants of bones.--
The Cromlech was another form of tumular erection, and underneath
its massive upright stones and rude covering have often been found
curiously-sha])ed urns, containing human calcined bones and ashes. -^ On
the Marquis of Lansdowne's estate at Luggacurran there are the remains
of a Cromlech, consisting of five upright pillar-stones over 4 feet in height
with a table-stone 8^- feet in length by 7 feet in width, it being 2^- feet in
thickness. Formerly it was supposed, the Cromlechs had been used as
Altars for sacrifices of the Druids ; but since it has been ascertained, they
were erected as sejiulchral monuments, and it seems i:)robable, the size
and shape of the earth-covering over them indicated the distinction of
the individual they were intended to commemorate. It is thought,
moreover, that the ]-)illar stones, many of which are still standing, were
erected as mon'umen ts. Thus, on Froghney Hill, near the Dun of Clopooke,
there is a pillar stone,-' and it is known as Cloughleeken, and in Slat,
there is another near the Wolf's Hill road. Both are on the estate of the
Marquis of Lansdowne. In Dysart Gallen there are eight pillar stones at
a place called Cluain-ach, interpreted the Field of Misfortune.-^ Two
-'J See " Transactions of the Kilkenny nsed from earliest times to mark the
ArchicoloRical Society," vol. ii., 1852- graves of distini^uished persons. In
53. Part ii., p. 35S. very earlv times, it is related, that Tea,
-1 See Michael Carey's " Antiquities the daughter of LuLrhaidh, son of Ith,
of Queen's County and County Kildare," and who was married to Heremon in
p. 8. Spain, requested as her dower a place
'-- See Mr. Daniel Byrne's account she should chose, that she mi,i,dit be
in " Transactions of the Kilkenny interred tiiere. and that a mound and a
Archaeological Society for the year grave stone should be raised thereon.
iS^o," vol. i., part 11., p. 139. The place she selected was Druini-
-^ These remains serve to show, that Caoin or the Hill of Caen, and after her
cremation of the body after death was interment it was designated Teamhair.
a usual practice of our ancestors at See Dr. O' O'Donovan's " .\nnals of the
a remote ])agan period. Four Masters," vol. i., pp. 30, 31, and
-■* It is said, that the pillar stones were nn. (l;, h,) ihid.
MONUMENTS AND ANTIQUITIES. 59
stone circles are near the stones, one of tliose on the summit of a heathy
hill. The other is on Knockbawn, and it has three concentric circles.
Also on a high hill in Skeirk, there is a circular area surrounded with a
stone rampart, and in the centre, there is a pillar stone six feet in height.-*^
Certain curious traditions remained in reference to the retreat of the
Munster Army, a.d. 138, when vanquished by Cu-Corb, King of
Leinster and Lugaidh Laighis ; and it was asserted, that wherever
they made a stand and fought a battle, pillar stones marked the graves
of heroes that fell in it.-''
As a specimen of an ancient dwelling, and among the antiquities of
the Queen's County, it may be observed, that on the side of Fossey Moun-
tain, about one mile and a-half from Timahoe, there is a valley, which
contained a tract known as the White Bog, and which formerly was
many feet deep in its centre. The neighbouring people got their fuel
from that bog, which is now almost cut away. About the year 1830,
while some turf-cutters were taking sods from it, having got to the
very bottom layer, and to a considerable depth, they came upon a square
structure, about 10 feet by 8 feet, and made of oak poles, reseml:)ling stakes,
closely set one after the other, and all of equal height, about 7 feet, and so
resting as to allow those who constructed the work to interweave switches.
The turfy substance was then carefully cut from the outside and inside of
the structure, without disturbing the wooden staked. When the turf
had been thus carefully removed, the wooden building remained in as
])erfect a state as the decay of ages permitted. A further examination
.found, that the poles were sunk about 2 feet in a stratum of solid earth,
which lay beneath the bog. Rising on the original surface, with a wooden
frame work, and resting upon it, a beam of oak was discovered, with
a wooden wedge sticking in one of its ends. A mallet not i)erforated
and originally jiart of a tree, its handle having been a branch growing
at right angles from the strm. was found beside the the old erection, and
it bore marks of having Ihtu nuich used. Smce the time of that occur-
rence, these most interesting antuiuities have been lost or destroyed.-"^
In dei'i'ening the River Xore near Borris-in-Ossory,-'-* the remnants of
an cM <i.ik liridge, about tweh-c feet below the modern channel of the river.
wc-ie di^'i A'ered. Near Shanagoonah Bridge were also found four or five
ancient liton/e .>wurds double edged, with a jx'culiar leaf-shaped enlarge-
im-nt <•( i!:e M.ide towards the point, logviher with the remains of a
cop.i.-.tl iiiin hcluK-t, and a skull of verv peculiar shape, much ILattened
.it [].'■ .i;e\ and puxiuci-d posteriorly.^^ £e\eral iron s])ear-heads also
tuu.ed u]) iiuiing the work. At Rathaspiek and under the site of its
ar.'i'T.t < J;urch, three vaulted chamber.-, were found and there also was
diMuvcud a well. Moreover two large ke\s. with curiously constructed
wards, an ill-!i.ipcd diinking cup,' a dagger of brass, a pin with a chased
=> .\ ti.v!iti..;i c.M.ils. th.U ;i 1 .ittle was -■'Si.l- tlic account furnished on the
fcHiKht licrc. and whicli Ic! to the fure-oing subjects, in Dr. P. W. Joyce's
ru.-vrnnf,' of Ossory (lom the kmyduni " Social Hi^>tery of Ancient Ireland,"
of l.ciiistcr. vol. 11., chap. .\xxi, pp. 539 to 579,
■■* Sic Michavl Cirey's " .\nti.iuitu.-, I )anul Byrne of Timahoe in " Proceed-
of Oucen's County and County m^^ of the Kilkenny Arch;coloyical
Kildare," p. .19. Society, 1S52." Vol, "1., pp. 207, 208.
■■^ See Mr. Daniel Byrne's paper read '-^ This operation was carried on by
at a nieetmi^ of March (>th, and pub- the Board of Public Works in deepening
ll^lu■d in the "Transactions of the the river-bed for drainaj^e purposes.
Kilkenny Arch;coU)>4ical Society for so See " Transactions of the Kilkenny
the year 1S50," vol. i., part, ii., pp. Archa'ological Society, for the )'ear
IJ3 to 136. Also pp. 207, 20.S. 1^49," vol. i., part i., p 30
6o HISTORY OF THE QUKEn's COUNTY.
broach of brass, and adorned with yellow stones, as also some coins, were
found near the old church. ^i At CuUohill were found a curious bronze
pin, a bronze belt, and a silver coin of Queen Elizabeth, with some liuman
bones. Numbers of such objects have been discovered in the fields, and
many old coins especially are in the keeping of individuals. A very curious
specimen of bog-l)utter was found, nine feet below the surface in Grallagh
bog, near Abbey leix.^- It was enclosed in a single-piece wooden vessel
considerably broken. This find was presented to the ]\Iembers of the
Royal Irish Academy, by a former Lord de Vesci, and at present, it is to
be seen in their collection in the National I\Iuseum. Tliat bog-butter
has a rancid taste resembling that of spermacetti, and owing to long
immersion in bog-water, it has been converted into a hard yellowish-
white substance."^ A curious collection of jet beads was exhibited,^^ at
the great Dublin Exposition of 1S53. These were found, during the
s])ring of 1S4S, at the depth of seven feet below the surface in ]\Ioyne
Bog, Queen's County. ■^^
Of a much later date, but as interesting memorials of an extinct pro-
cess of manufacture, are yet to be seen, along the course of the River Nore,
and at the base of the Slieve Bloom Mountains not far from IMountrath,
the waste or slag of the former iron furnaces there erected iir the seventeenth
century."*^ We learn, that wooden scoops were found in an old working ^''
lor bog-iron in the Queen's County. Three of the Irish Round Towers
are known to have existed in former times : one of these was at Rose-
nallis, and the other at Killeshin ; this latter fell in the beginning of the
eighteenth century. Another hne specimen was erected at Timahoe, and
still it is in a good state of preservation. Before the end of the eighteenth
century, the Rev. Dr. Ledwich was able to reckon the remains of eighty
ruined castles in the Queen's County, and he was sure there were more.^''
A closer examination should be certain largely to extend that enumera-
tion; and more esp^^cially, if we take into account the ruined mansion
houses of proprietors or occupiers, who formerly dwelt in them, even
dov.'n to the earlier part of the nineteenth century. The vestiges of
church ruins, ancient or medieval, are also very considerable, and the
grave-yards on which such churches formerly stood are still more numerous.
However, we reserve for subsequent and detailed mention, under the
heading of their respective parishes where found, such notices as may
be necessary to invest those various objects with a special interest for the
student of antiquities and for the general reader.
^1 See Michael Carey's " Antiquities butter, p. 369.
of Queen's County and County Kildare," ^-i By John Francis Shearman, Esq.,
p. 37. Kilkenny.
^- See Sir William R. Wilde's ^5 gee "Transactions of the Kilkenny
"Descriptive Catalogue of the Anti- ArchrEological Society " for 1S49, ^'ol. i-,
quities in the Museum of the Royal p. 32.
Irish Academy," vol. i.. Class iv. Animal ^^ gee "Proceedings of the Dublin
Materials, &c., p. 26S. Society," 1S86. Tart iv., October,
^^ See " Proceedings of the Royal Irish Metal Mining, by G. tl. Kinahan,
Irish Academy," vol. vi. Paper read M.R.I. A.
by W. R. Wilde, Monday, May 26th, '•^^ Some of these are now preserved
1856. Introduction and General Use in the Royal Irisli Academy's Collection
of the Potatoe in Ireland, with some in the National Museum.
notice of the substance called Bog- ^'^ See " Antupiities ot Ireland," p. 197.
LOCAL LEGENDS OF THE PRE-IIISTORir PERIOD. 6l
CHAPTER II.— Local Legends of the Pke-Historic Period.
However strange it may appear, not alone the doubtful but even the
manifestly fabulous traditions of every country have some interest and
importance, with a direct or an indirect bearing on the true facts of its
history. Although we may not be able to ascertain their origin, or the
cause that first gave them circulation, the imaginative and credulous
people of generations long past have received mythical reports without
any disposition to deny or criticise their accuracy. Many of those recorded
fables, if not the actual inventions of bards and chroniclers, have probably
l)een transmitted to thcui from times very remote, and when historic
credence, for a primitive jx^ople, did not require genuine historical
material or evidence. To account for the names of various places in
Ireland, and some of which are still in vogue, a very old tract known as
the Diudsenchas ^ professes to gi\'e the derivation of some localities
within the Queen's County. In a legend for the name given the River'
IJarrow, the story goes, that three serpents were in the heart of Mechi,
son of the Great Queen Berba ; Diancecht, a magician, killed them ;
afterwards they were burnt, and their ashes Uiiaitli) Hung into the
river, so that it boiled (co ro-m-Z'tv/)) and dissolved yvery animal within
it. Thence, as we are told, came the names of t\^■o plains — Mag I\Iechi
and I\Iag Luadat — as also the name Berba, for the river.- However, a
different version is given m the Book of Ball\-mote, where it is wTitren
Bir-balb : the word Bir being glossed to mean zvatcr, and " balb "^
'm just as rendered in O'Davoren's Glossary. An ancient Poem is also
contained in tlie Dind^enchas, which relates to the river Barrow.-^
There is a Diudseiiciias of legendary story which states, that the
mountain of SHab IHadina was so called from Bladma or Blod Mac Con,
the son (jf Cai^r, Chlothai-h. Having killed one Bregmael, he took ship
and tlril from Alh Cliath m Galway to Ath Chath in Wicklow. After-
waid-, he lied to' th-' range of mountains that subsequently bore his
n.inio.-' Thriv i^ al-o a Dmdsenchas for Belach Gabran,*^ said to have
Im;< !i ^wWtX lioin the « oiu>ing of a famous hound, that went in pursuit
of a ;;:..Mt ludl-blnu] pi<, wliich disappeared under ground. Nevertheless,
i: w.i- iolluwfd by the dog, and Imally he killed it, but on his return he
■ lit •) .ti i w.is Innied there. Belach Gabrvin seems to have been the former
iLiin-- !■■: a road al-nig tin- Mde of Slie\'e Bloom." In the Diudsenchas,^
:l.f n.-.:r.e .'->!:fVc Mairge is d. lived from Margg. steward to t])e King of
!!." l--.::.''':e, wlio » aine lo Iielaiid in the time ot Eochu ^lunisti, King of
I. <■»!;'•.< t. \i Mek till utes due to liis niasirr. Having become half-mad
wjth tliitsf, M.ii>:,s' Ihuig l.i-> head. on a rock there, and died of the blow.
Two .iSK irnl iKK-:us in Iii>Ii, and having rekrence to Sliabh Mairge, are
to Ix: foutid in »lie H(.>ok of ]-eiiister.'
Airamg our e!d Iii.'^.h manusciipts, we have various accounts of the origin
' I In^ Irish \\..ril h.i-. \\w niiMiKii:; Book of Lcinster, Avlule the end of this
of I'opular Tradition or M..;y. Puna is at the bj;,'inning of p. loi a.
^Sco the VcTMoii of It 1:1 th..- " Book -Sec ihc account giveu in IJook of
of Lcinsti-r," edited by IvuL). rt .\ikin^>.ii, Lein^tcr, ]>. iqj <(.
M..\..LI..I)., p. I.;y^. "^ ll he-uis inmoan, b.ini m 5.\bi!An 5tAn
^ Ilie uliole word in In>!i i-, sot down '" Book of Lemsler," p. 190.
as lnT)cjibA, bu.in^b.\ilbe 8 Sec that version in the "Book of
* Tlub iM-miis with the hne mtice Lemster," at p. i SQ l>-
b.'lbe, at p. 159 h. of the pubhsiied '^ \\. p. Ji6 b./ibiJ.
62 HISTORY OF THE QUEEN's COUNTY.
of names oi places near the Barrow and Nore. Likewise, have we siniihir
statements regarning Sleumargie and Lcix.^" Also about Magh-Raighne.
a district situated in the present Queen's County. ^^ There is a story told
of one Raigne Romanacli, wlio came from Italy to Gallia Narbonensis
with three implements, his " bacc," his " rama " and his " tuag." The
people of Gallia imposed on liim the task of clearing the ]~>lains from forests
andalso otherlabour, all of which he is said to have accomplished in three
days. Afterwards, he is related to have gone to Ireland, and there too he
cleared the woods from a district, that from him bore the name of Mag
Raigne, a portion of wliich was within the jjresent Queen's County.
Among the fables of Irish tradition is an account of a celebrated hero of
romance named Goll, who killed Cumhall, the father of the still more
renowned Finn, in a battle at Cnucha,^- near Dublin, and who is said to
have been buried in ]\Iagh Raighne ; but whether this interment was in
the Queen's County or Kilkenny portion of it has not been determined.'''
There is a legendary account of Lege, now Lea in Offaly, in the Dind-
senchas,^^ and which derives its denomination from Liag,^^ the sister of
More, son of Dela the Fomorian chief, who is celebrated in connexion
with Conand's Tower. She seems to have requested of Fergus, that her
name should be imposed on the territory, where the decisive battle was
fought. A prose legend at the end, however, refers the origin of the
name to Lege Mac Scandail, the former owner of the lancj, and who had
here died. The legendary account^'^ for the original denomination of
Straboe is, that a mighty man of Daire Leith, in Offaly, and who was
named Liath Lurgan, having heard during his travels a cow bellowing
as it came out of Loch Sithgail, followed it, until he came to Scriib B6, in
the west of Mag Rochet.'''' There he came u]) with the anmial and killed
it. The owner, who is called Sithgal, followed in ]:)ursuit, and he arrived
after this occurrence. Liath was worsted in an encounter that
ensued, and he was brought back bound to the loch. A great terror
then seized on Liath, who feared he was to l)e drowned ; but, making a
mighty effort, he burst the bond that was around his arms. He then
attacked Sithgal, who flung the cow's carcase before him into the loch.
Sithgal and Liath renewed their struggle, but the former was vanquished
and his body was thrown into the loch. The j^jcople of Sithgal then en-
deavoured to pull the cow by the tail and into the loch ; but Liath held
it by the head. The carcase was torn in two parts, but the strength of
Liath availed him to carry off the cow's head. He then returned to the
place where it had been killed, and there he left the head as a memorial
of his strength. This preternatural incident is said to have given name
to the place. '^
'" Sec F.uf^'one O'Curry's " Catalogue ^^ That version in the Book of
of Irish Manuscripts in the Royal Irish Leinster," fol. 2oq.
Academy," vol. hi., pp. 852, ct seq. '^ Her pedigree is traced up to Noah,
" See ibid., p. S54. the son of Laniech.
1- Now Castleknock. ^*j Contained in the Dindsenchas of
" See Euf^ene O'Curry s " Lectures on the "Book of Leinster," fol. 160 a,
the Manuscript Materials of Ancient ^' Now Morett.
Irish History." Lect. xiv. p. .302, and '^ The term sjuib bo means " the cow's
App. No. xcii., p. 594. snout."
AN'CIENT CI.ANblllPS, LAND DENOMINATIONS ».^ND ROADS.
63
CHAPTER III. — Ancient Clanships, Land Denominations and
Old Roads.
In the succeeding pages we shall have occasion, especially in the earlier
ages, to use historic terms applicable to those chiefs and tribes that
originally occupied the Queen's County, as also to the different divisions
of land, which retained their denominations even to a much later period.
Therefore some previous explanation is required the better to elucidate
our narrative. The tribal system of Ireland, aristocratically formed,
was composed of families related by blood, and having a" common
genealogical origin, but owning allegiance and submission to chiefs of
their race, and also of their selection. The tribes had an Eponymus
or hero as an ancestor, of whose valour and merits they preserved tra-
ditional accounts, and to whom thev felt proud of being related even
in a remote degree. Their tribal names are derived from a distinguished
common ancestor. Thus in nearly all cases, the names of Irish territories,
and of the tribes inhabiting them, were identical. Their families were
Usually known as the inhabitants of a certain Tuath or Territory, in
which they lived ; and as the Cinel or Cineal, n;eaning " people," '
they gave name to it - They were generally closely connected by
kinshi}) and social ties, while boasting of their respectable pedigrees.
With them also lived clients, retainers and dependents, who were devoted
to their interests and service ; the union of all forming what was re-
cognised as the Clann,^ meaning " the children " of their Tuath.' This
genealogical and geograj^hical term was ajiplird to a jieople occupying
a district which had a complete jjolitical and legal administration, under
a Rigli or Chiu'', who could bring into the field a battalion of six or seven
hundred aruu'd nun. .Moreo\'er, it was apjjlied to a larger division
(if tcriitoiA', ((insisting of three or four, or even more Tuaths called
a M< r I'u.ith or great Tuath, associated for purposes of policy, and
t!i>- trwps (jf wiiich wvw united in war under one commander. ^ The
una i-"(;an, i:i<-uiiing "land," was Likewise applied to the sept names
'• \ J.: ■ ', i". . , ■■'»,!. '.ir!." " latc," " (Icscen-
•l..: 1 ' Vf I >i Ol>';u*i:ri ililfovi ii< limi
I * 1)^ I ;• •4;i»; hivil l'i>cms of lohii
« » i*.' >.:^h.tix:A G^lft n* NA"n.!i U'IIulllh-
'.. .• P 6
* lt-» shr (.'jr.cl K- •'^i.in. tn(r4n> ihc " r.icc
'i K.' ■gli*.'* " ; l^^ t"»r.c;I ('.'liaH, iikai.s iKc
'* tx<t oi L\/<-»Ji " ; CA<:)i iiilf dcminj^ Un
tfiij'.a (l< m *o ar.C'-vlor to i.iii.rd.
*^It »lv«> »:^:.:;i^ti mcx <•! J tir^cnv ; thus
whiih »j,> •.!.et«i!<-riA;nf of titc U'.Mcla^lilins
0/ .Mrarh.
•-•src tlic vcr*- leatnt^J am! indicious uLscr-
vations iit» this iubjcci Liv \V. K. Sulhv.in,
I'h.D., in his lntHMluc:ion to Kii^^t ac
O'Curry's jjosthuriK^us w.nk, "On ihc .NJaii-
ncrs and Customs of the Ancicni Irish,"
sol. i., pp. Ixxviii, Ixxix., Ixxx.
'•" .\s appHc.-xble to the Irisli Tritxrs or Clan»,
wc also have the terms Ccrr, or fVr. j, " a
race," or " prot^cny," as the Corca I'.haisciun,
" the race of lihaischiim," in the County of
Clare; \.\\e Diil, "a tribe," or " pruLjeiu',"
as tlic Dal Cais, in Munstcr ; the JAui/,
" sons," in old Manuseripi-, as Dubthach
Macu Luj^air, " Dubiacli of the sons of
Lu^air " ; the A/iiDifir, "laiuil)-," or '' jieu-
ple," as Muinlir Maoilmardlia, '' people of
the 0'Keil!ys<if luiht I-!refni y " ; S/c'/, "seed,"
or " descerid.uitv," as the Sijil Muireadhaij^h,
the tribc-naiiic of the O'Cunors and their co-
relativc? in the County of Roscommon ;
Sli.'iht, " prot;eny." as Sliocht Aedha Slaine,
" the jirogcny of Acdh .Slaine," in Mcalh ;
7ealac/i, " family," as Tealach Eachdhach,
tiie tribe name of the Ma<^aurans in the
county of Cavan ; Ua, " i^randson," or
"descendant," plural Ui, dative or ablative,
Uil'h., as in the in'itance Ui Neill, the descen-
dants of Niall, the tribe name of families des-
cended from Niall of the Nine Hostages. See
on this subject Dr. John O'Donovan's intro-
duction to " The Topographical Poems of
John C»'Dubhagain and Giolla na Naomh
(J'Uuidhrin," [)j). 6 to S,
64
HISTORY OF THE QUEEN S COUNTY.
or families who occupied it, and this was especially used m tlie Queen's
County medieval denominations. ^
The different old civil denominations of Irish tribal land divisions
are thus distinguished : viz., the Tuath, also known as the Tricha-ced "^
or Cantred ; ^ the Bailebetaich ^ or Ballybetagh, meaning Victuallers-
town, sometimes simply Baile or Bally, a town ; the Seisreach '-* or
Ploughland ; ^^ the Baileboe^i or Ballyboe, meaning " Cow-land "
literally, but usually denominated Townland, and it^- was the lowest sub-
division, yet not defined by any fixed number of acres.^s Likewise,
the designation Bally m Irish, has the signification of " a town " in
English, and this latter term has been derived from the Saxon word
" ton, "or " tun," originally meant to indicate a settlement. i' In the
country districts of northern England and of southern Scotland, it
meant a farm-steading or inhabited enclosure, frecjuently consisting
of only two or three houses.^s it was a place usually surrounded by
a hedge or a rudely formed fort and trench. The term township naturally
had its nucleus from the town itself, and included a portion of the ad-
joining lands. At a very early period, the to\\nshii:) became an area of
local government, and it was used for the purposes of opening and main-
taining roads, and for combining the efforts of the peoj^lc for necessary
and useful local improvements.^'^ However, as among all early nations,
•'This word is Latinised " Treuca " by
O'Sullivan and O'Fahcrly ; while cc'd' is ren-
dcreil " ccnturia" by the hitter. See " Ogy-
i;ia," [)ars. i., p 24. The word means
" tlurty-hundreds,"and sometimes it is to be
fijund simply a!> " Tricha," or Thirty, as one
Tricha contained thirty lJallybetaL;hs. (Jiral-
dus Cambrcnsis states, that in the twelfth
century, the number of Cantre(is in all Ire-
land was one hundred arid seventy-si.\. See
''Topographia llibernica," Lib. iii., cap. v.
It was supposed to contain one hundred villas
ur towns. Even Colgan translates Triucha-
ccd by Cantercdiis or L'ciUivilUiria Rfi^'is, as
if each (jcathramhadli or quarter of land con-
stituted a villa. See ''Trias Tluiumaturga,"
i'rima Vita S. Patricii, n. 5., p. 19. Each
Tricha-ced was composed of thirtj' Ijally-
betaghs, of three Imndred and sixty Seis-
reaghs, while it was estimated to contain
43,200 acres.
" Sir James Ware remarks that the Cantred
was both varied and uncertain in its measure-
ment. See " De Hibernia et Antiquitatibus
ejus," cap. iii., p. 13.
^The baile biataii^h was an established de-
nomination in Ireland in tlie twelfth century,
and allusion is made to it in Dr. O'Donovan's
" Annals of the Four ^Masters," vol. iii., at
A.D., 1 1 76. Accoiding to an ancient cus-
tom, the Biataig, or purveyor, was obliged to
keep a house of hospitality, subject to certain re-
gulations, for the acconunodation of strangers
and travellers, at a time when inns were not
known, and his land was held subject to such
conditions. The term seems to have an
analogy with the Saxon Hundred, although
not derived from it.
"This word is supposed to iiavc been de-
rived Irom Scisear, "six," and eaJi, "a
horse" ; and it was underst(jod to denote the
extent of ground a six-horse plough could
turn up in a year at so much per day. How-
ever, this derivation requires further examina-
tion. The number of Sehreachs, or plough-
lands, in Ireland is slated to be 66,600 ; and
it is a remark.ible approximation to that
sum, especially in such high figures, when
the number of tuwnlands as now defined,
named, and laid down on the Irish Ordnance
Survey Townland Maps is found described
as 62,205. The Scivcach was represented by
the carrucate, or hide of land among the
Saxons.
^'•'Twelve plough-lands it is said were in
each Baile iJietucli.
"It appears to be analogous in meaning
to the Latin Uovala, and to the Sa.xoii
^- To Ollimh Fodhla, monarch of Ireland
from A.M. 3883 to A.M. 3922, has been
attributed the placing of a Chieftain over
every cantred, and a Brughaidh, or "farmer,"
over every townland, who were to serve the
King of Ireland. See Dr. O'Donovaii'.-,
"Annals of the Four .Masters," vol. i., pp.
52 to 55.
'•^The etymon Bally, Bailie, or Bal, which
enters so largely into ihc names of jjlaces in
Ireland, ha^ the understood meaning of
townland.
i-'See the Rev. Isaac Taylor's "Words
and Places, or Etymological Illustrations
of History, Ethnology, and Geography," p.
126.
^^ Formerly in Ireland, such small groups
were frequently united in close proxiniiiv
for pur})oscs of nnitual assistance, con-
venience, and protection, and the custom has
come down even to our own times.
ANXIENT CLANSHIPS, LAND OLD DENOMINATIONS* AND ROADS. 65
I. Hid in Ireland was estimated and measured more by quality of soil
in.in !)y area.i' As elsewhere remarked, formerly there were more town-
i iiul denominations known in the Queen's County than at present ;
I lie number now being only 1154, wiTh an average extent of 36S acres
for the whole. ^^
The most ancient historic account we have of a road passing
throu-h Lcix, is that of one running southwards from the Hill of Tara
in Meath towards Ballaghmore, on the southern slope of the Slieve
liloom Mountains, and which extended westwards from the latter
i;in.L;e. It may be premised, that this was merely an opening through
the woods or the cultivated spots, but rendered somewhat smooth and
K-vcIied for the passage of the primitive chariots and carts, as well as
for horsemen and pedestrians. At what jiarticular northern point
the road from Tara entered Leix does not appear to have been determined,
as lew traces of its original simple construction could now be expected
to nniam, after the lapse of so many ages. That it crossed the River
I'.irrc.w at some fordable pass on its up})cr course seems probable, and
within the modern barony of Tinnahinch. It passed through Upper
O.-./ry, which was formerly a portion of Leix. It also continued in
a southern direction north of the Nore, and afterwards it bent west-
w.itdiy towards Koscrea and through the territory ..of Ely O'Carroll.
AKordini,' to an ancient tradition, on the night of the birth of Conn
iii the Hiin<iied Ixittles. the following live great roads extending in
v.t:i(ni-. diicctuHis from tlii* Hill of Tara aic recorded to have been found
or j-!h.i]'S made; vi/., tlie Slighe-asuil, Slighe-midhluachra, Slighe-
«u.d.ir.:i, Sl;.:h'.--in!i'i; .1'' and the Sli^he-dhal.i. According to the
DinijMa:.' hus, the .^i::^! D.il.i was dibCo\cre(l by Sctna Serc-derg, the
vi.'i (,i Dii:l'.i:ih'-, lufore the Druids of Irmumliain, on their way to
Tt.rr.v::. '•: 1: v'..f, D.ii.i himself that watched for him.-'^ It is stated,
\>\ In }'• ■.::-•. ti,.it :!.'.• Sliiihe Dala letl from (he southern side of the
1(jU ui l^:.\ m th'- d reetion of Ossory and East Munster ; and, it is
MVi>i: ; :..'.4l:c tl..-,t the track at its junction with Tara is still preserved
n; iLc ■■■■.■.:'•. <-:'.\ ro.id iiom (he llill.-' Hut, whether the meeting of
t!;c I'...: K ..1.1 i>y the !Sii;.;Iu--Mur meant continuing in its course or
^ St^ »";.?j«.M rj(R/r»* •' V..»kthixc, I'jist inj;f of Land in Ireland." Soe (he Carew
^.ul t^ti^rtf. t, ll.xr tf iA:l * <if 5<:tii>iion of (^)lIection, No. 614, p. 197, In 1S46 it was
t^« TV-« Kti.-ji ■<-i Jh* Circj! Cuntr of copied Ijv Dr. Juhn O'Dondvan, and it was
\'im%. «t:..' *U 1 , <iii^ Tu-. {>j». 5X4. ',85. primed by Captain Larconi as an Appendix
**AA<» !"•«■ A;<»> N>.<!i»Aii Ii.»iis:->n, a to his valuaMe "Memorandum" on the
tmatt'i** ^ '.»T.'w;.» •,y./>."^ t-;* rr.c»%u:rn)cn!i Territorial Divisions of Ireland.
<i U*-<1» wf.-T »-•:*'» J i-Trl Arnc.ii; (I'.oc "Sec the valuable and learned paper of
«E4*» l« <r.i!R.ntj'r! the (Jr:'.''i. «vf Inwn- the Kev. W'ilh.un Reeves, D.D. On the
U.T.!. «T;SKj,tr»l a: U<itu 0:> to l^*.- a- trs ; Townl.md Distribution of Ireland, read before
l^,* ^4'i^A.'f. c* t^'re.. tf.r }.|f »4:lii'^; con- the K(i\.il Iri-h Academy on .Monday, April
»«•&•.» '( nb^r.H »eff it It <»j t'» 12J .iCrts; 22, iS'jI. " I'loceedings of the Royal Irish
•uj. ••'•.'.: HA/, ifit .V.'/-.j»J.', AvA ffntt\ Lir.Ji, Ac.idcinv."
K«ti.-vj • <fit*!f> fv.nvcn't'jriAl mrinin^ not ''To ibis is added the observation, "ubi
• rJl uryJcf r -ml ; ^>t.trlfrj, ciuivAlrnt to Kskirrinl.i se obviuni oflert."' — Roderick
tw»r.ur.'.\ ; t.hc .'j.V, ui tj:k ', *.;/,•// /.j»;./j ; U'l l.ihci i\ 's " ( )f;\L;ia," pars, iii., p. 314.
r».'.> ; :j.'Vj.'r; Aj-rj.V//; -:c;«.;^-i'/, cnsist- '* Sucli is tile account in that copy con-
i.-.g of 4 dwrl!if.p,huu»e. wr.h .n kmall piition tained in the "Book of Leacan," fob 239, p.
<A \An<\ .t'.tjchctl : fM.'Jj,;>i, corm^^l^.;J of a (ii, cnl. i.
|.lwr.I.^n.l and a lliiid o( it; a horsfC^tJ, or -'See "Transactions of the Royal Irish
Jk.-rif:njii's /ci/, c>in!.iinin^ 20 or t;o airei u{ Academy," vliI. xviii. Antiquities. No. iii.
ihc wcllkn'iwr division ^:rf. There is an On the History and Antiquities of Tara
i.-.tfiesJii.;; .^IS. in the I-aiiil>clh Library on Ilill. By George I'etric, Esq., R.II.A.,
*'T1.c Sundry Denomin. . lions ol the .Mtasiur- M.Is I A., p. J30.
F
66 HISTORY OF THE QUEI^n'S COUNTY.
crossing it, does not seem to be a matter of easy solution.'-- ]\Ierely
indications of passes through the woods, and very partially displayed,
are to be found on the most ancient map of Leix we now possess ; but
so incorrect and irregular is the outline of country traversed, that no
accurate idea is afforded to trace their direction and connexions.
Ballaghmore was one of the ancient highways of Ireland, and
leading from Lei.x into the territory of Ely O'Carroll. An ancient castle
may be seen near it, and alongside the modern road leading from Borris-
in-Ossory to Roscrea. The ruined church of Dysart-Gallcn and its
surrounding cemetery are situated beside the Owenbeg, the ford of which
at this spot is crossed by a bridge imiting two very ancient roads. These
are again crossed by four other old roads, and all radiating in different
directions from the church up and down the river's course.
An ancient road led from Athy to Blackford, and it seems to have
been rejilaced by the modern one, which takes the direction of Strad-
bally. From this latter town, or at least from Noughval onwards in the
direction of Carlow, an old steep road led over the Wmdy gap towards
Tecolm, and yet i: remains, but now almost disused, as it runs nearly parallel
with the present high-road, which has been better engineered ; at the eastern
side of the gap, its course is in part traceable over the fields, but it is
no longer travelled. A very ancient road extended southwards from
near Mountmeliick over the Esker to Maryborough, and thence througli
Lamberton demesne to the Pass of Cashel, and onwards to Balh'roan,
whence it proceeded to Kilkenny. From this diverged two old branch
roads ; one of these led to the old grave-yard of Kilvahan, and doubtless
to the old church, which it is probable had been built within it, while
the other old road led towards Kilwhclan, on the western slope of the
Cullenagh IMountains. An ancient road likewise led from Clonenagh to
Crcmogue, and it has been utilized to form a more improved modern one
across a moory surface. Although entirely removed or greatly obliter-
ated at present, traces of ancient roads are yet discoverable in various
localities, and the investigation of their structure and bearings should be
a curious and an interesting subject for the antiquary's investigation.
CHAPTER IV. — Anxient Tribes and Tribal Divisions.
The present Queen's County has been formed chiefly from the whole
or from parts of four distinctive and very ancient territories, viz. :
Osraighe, Laioghse, Clannmalugra and Ui Regain. To trace its anthro-
pological history, so far as recorded in chronicles and bardic stories, it
may be desirable to begin with the mythic period. However, the judicious
and learned Tighernach remarks, that the annals of Ireland to the time of
Cimbaoth^ are uncertain.^and therefore not wholly reliable as authorities.
" Facini^ p. 152 is an engraving, plate 7, deacon Lynch 's " Canibrensis Eveisus,"
showing the Monuments of Tara liill, re- vol. i., cap. viii., p. 443, Rev. Dr.
stored from ancient Documents. On this, Matthew Ivelly's edition. However,
too, is shown the position of the five roads, Dr. O'Conor, who has examined tlie
that of the Sli^e ■OAt-..\ alone, extending list of ancient kings, arrives at the con-
southwards. The Stije mofi is represented elusion, that Cimbaoth's reign cannot
as taking a western direction. See tdzd. be carried back to a remoter date
^ This monarch of Ireland is stated than two hundred years before our
by some Irish chronologists to have era. See Moore's " History of Ireland,"
flourished three hundred and fifty years vol. i., chap, vii., p. 106.
before the Christian era. See .\rch-
ANXIENT TRIBES AND TRIBAL DIVISIONS. 67
But where it is not possiljle to authenticate their accuracy, yet difficult
to pomt out their misrepresentations, or to reconcile their divergencies
of statement, we can only follow the f^encrally received accounts of Irish
historians, regarding the original inliabitants and their tribal distribution
Ihe celebrated monarch of Ireland, Ugain.; Mor,^ who nourished
according to our annals, more than hve hundred years before the
Incarnation of our Lord,-* was of the Heremonian line, and he left two
remarkal)le sons; his elder son named Cobhthach,^ from wliom descend all
the chief families of Connaught, as also the O'Donnells, O'Neills, and
others of Ulster; while from his second son, Laeghaire," are derived
the chief families of Leinster. Ugaine M6r is said to have married
( .e^area, a Gaulish lady, who bore him no fewer than twenty-two sons
naimd respectively, with their territorial grants :— i. Cobthach Coel, of
iJregia; j. Cobtliach Murthemn, of Murthemne ; 3. Roigne, of Mov-
Kaigue ; 4. Laoghaire, of the Lilly ; 5. Fulleus of Feibh ; 6. Cuan, of
Airgrtros ; 7. Nar, of Moy-Nair ; 8. Norba, of IMoy-Norba ; g. Fafeus' of
Moy-Femhin ; 10. Tarra, of I\Ioy-Tarra ; 11. Triath, of Moy-Tretherne •
12. :\hul, of Cliu-Mail ; 13. Sineus, of Luachair ; 14. Bard,"^of Corcaf-ia |
15. heigus (^lai, of the Southern Desics ; i(). Aidne, of Aidnea ; ^17'
Mo-iius. of .^hu•n-^h)y ; 18. Saiib, of .Moy-.F:oii-dric 'in the Northern
Dr. 10 of Mi-ath ; 19. Carbre, of Corann ; 20. Laoghaire Line, of Linea •
jr. Lath, of Latharne ; 22. Manius, of ."ilcath. The following are the
n.imts givru to the daughters, with their si-\-eral places: i/Aiiea, of
Muy-u AiJe ; 2. Muresca, of Moy-Muii>kc ; ]. Albea, of Moy-n Ailbe."
I-rom the lor. jwing stateih-ut it may be srrn, that for the most part
w.-ll-kuown an. !.-iit dir,tncts in various parts of Ireland have been called
aitt-: th.in. To on.- or other of ihr^v, all the later Leinster families trace
their j".h ;i.e-/ Aiuoul; the ^U()ngest ol their fortresses was that
si:u.it.-.l on t!ie v..>teMi h.tnk ol the Kiv.r liarrow in the County of
' .irl.jA. .in>i .ieiiu-ninated b\- our oldest chroni. lers Dinrigh or " the
H:il >.i the Kin->." It is nvntioned by U'Huidhrin, after describing
iLc i.i-;ets a:.<l di^tn.-ts of Lei\.'^ This was one of the most ancient palaces
^'t U^'iv'^r, U-!(Jiii;ing to the kings of Leinster.^"^
•■"«•■.;;.» :!•... n-.i::ic;Ua S...)t.)ruin on th-' Manuscript iMaterials of Ancient
t.t.-yc t;r:,tA..;h ja.>crt.i rraiit." — Dr. Irish History," lect. x., pp 207 ^08
«>*.*».<■» ^ ••I(cf>i:ti Hit...Tinc.irurn Ma las Chrono-ranliicaj p,u-m we
V/i;!*'5- Ion>u» li.. ri;;criiach rca.l ; —
l!r 1.41 %. n to l-.-.-h.i: .h Hua.lh.ich, on cp ioctirii.i,i> vnt.meAl.Mi:,
*.'.! tw- Avca.lr-l \Un liiroTjc ,\.M. .J567, O -DinD 1,105 co mA.pcm ihni
ui.l U r.'-jT^'-^l i^'^i'^' ''-'fty vi-.u-s to thu "Do -oioL m' Aipcin ^'> a n-u.\irLiB
rr,.l u5 A w. ^'..-i. Src Dr. 0'Dun^jv.ia's It is thus translated into JCn -hsh •
* .\nuiS ^,i tlic Four ilujlcrs," vol. 1., "Paas across the B6arL>ha of tlie cattle
Si* T* »■» ;'• borders,
*lhr Hcv. Dr. JorJry Kcatinj,' places Fr.)in the land of corn and rich
h:5 .»tcc^^Mn to tlic cr.-wn, al a.m. t,^S(k honey,
Sre •• Gcucral Hi»t,-ty of Ireland," From Di'nnrigh to Maistin the stronq
j.iTl i.. p. 1S5. ^ My journey is paid for by their
» I renounced nearly " COv-a." now nobility."
Mij.fK^^nltobcrct.reicntcd in the family "The Topot;raphical Poems of John
niincolLotlcy. He waa also suruaraed O'Dubhagain and Giolla na Naomh
Coc or "the Slcn.lcr." UHuidhnn," edited from the orimnal
•Pronounced nearly " Lca-ry." He Insii, by John O'Donovan LL D
was hk.-wise surname.! Lore, meaning M.R.I. A., pp 88 89 " '
"-.^'"'n' ,*""■ J^'n*;'-,"' . ,^ "'I'l'^" remains' are" in the townland
•bcc Roderick O Maherty s " Ogygia," of Ballykaockan, on the west side
pais 111. cap. x.xxviM.. pp. ;6o, 261. of the River Barrow, about a quarter
"^r-e l-,uRene O Curry's "Lectures of a mile to the south of Leighhn Bridge
68 HISTORY OF THE OUEKX'S COUNTY.
After a long reign, Ugaine Mor was slain b}- his brother Badhchadh,
son of Eocliaidh Buaidhaigh ^^ but Loighaire Lore his own son immedia-
tely suceeeded him as monarch of Ireland. Nor did he enjoy this
distinction for more than two years/'-^ when his brother Cobhthach
treacherously killed him and his son Oilill Anye. The latter is said to liave
reigned for many years/^ and to have resided m his stronghold at Dun
Righ until Maoin — also called Labhradh Loinseacli,'^ the grandson of
Laoighaire Lore — raised a force of Munstermen with whom he landed
in the harbour of Wexford. Thence he marched towards the River
Barrow, and by a sur])risc he captured that fortress, i)utting the old
usurper, and his own uncle, to the sword with all his retinue.
According to the Rev. Dr. Jeoffry Keating, all those princes that
governed the province of Leinster were lineal descendants of the Irish
monarch Labhradh Loingseach, except O'Xuallain who descended from
Cobhthach Caolmbreagh.^'^ The people of Laigin or Leinster, who are also
calledGalion and Domnand, are said to have taken their name Lagin from,
the lagiii or long lances, which were borne by the troops who followed
Labhradh Longseach, when he returned to conquer his patrimony from
Cobthach, whom he killed at Dind Righ. The pedigree of Laljraidh is
traced in the Book of Leinster,i<^ back to ililidh of Spain, and up to Adam.
The tribes of Leinster and their branches are also recorded.^''
In Ireland, about one hundred and fifty years befor^ the Christian
era, a chieftain called Bresal, surnamed Breac or the Speckled, lived.
He had tw(j sons, respectively named Lughaidh Lothfmn, the Eponymus
of the Lageniarjs or men of Leinster,^^ and Connla, progenitor of the
Ossorians or men of Ossory.^'-' Previous to the establishment of Leix
as a separate territory, a renowned son of Crimthan ]\Ior-*^ and known
as Aengus,-^ surnamed Osraighe, a quo Ossory, had dis]nited the right
of the Munstermen to possession or sul^jjection of that territory, supposed
then to have been bounded by the River Suir on the west and south,
aiid by the River Barrow on the north and east.--' It has been said that
it comprised three extensive plains separated from each other by parallel
ridges of mountains.-^ However, besides the questionable historic
1' AccordiiiLj; to some accounts, he cinbracinL; the whole of Kilkenny
reit;ued as a usurper for rme day and a- Coui\tv.
halt. See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals -"lie was eighth in descent from Connla
of the Four Masters," vol. i., j^p. 70, 77. — the patriarch of the aboriginal
^■- These were a.m. 4607 and 4608. Ossorians — sou of Bresal Brec or the
See ibid. Speckled.
1^ From A.M. 4609 to a.m. 465.S. See -illis mother was Cingit or Kingit,
ibid. daughter to the famous chief Daire the
i-* He was sou of OlioU Anye, and he Plunderer, and descended in the seventh
was carried away to Munster when degree from Aengus Tuirmeach, who
young, to save him from the death died monarch of Ireland, a.m. 3819.
Cohhtach had designed for tliis prince. --The derivation of Uiscreaghdha,
^'^ See " General History of Ireland," pronounced Ossory, is said to have been
part i., p. 189. derived horn the Irish words iiisc,
1'^ Edited by Robert Atkinson, JNI.A., '' water," and ri-a^i^hda "kingdom,"
LL.D., ]!. 311. owing to its ancient water boundaries,
''See ibid, pp. 311 to 341. by the rivers Barrow, Suir and Nore.
18 These are said originally to have -•'See "Journal of the Royal,
occupied the country eastwards from Institution of Cornwall," No. xlviii,
the River Barrow to the Irish Sea. A catalogue of saints connected with
1^ They are stated to have planted Cornwall, with an l-lpitome of their
themselves as early settlers in that Lives, and List of Churches and
tract of country, lying between the Chapels dedicated to them, by the Rev.
Barrow and the Suir, and at present S. 13aring-Gould, M.A., Part iv., St.
Kieran, Abbot, Confessor.
ANCIENT TRIBES AND TRIBAL DIVISIONS. Cg
accuracy of that statement and name derivation, the geographical
position is both undefnied and incorrect. -^ Aengus incited his tabesmen
to resist that encroachment, and to throw oil tlie Munster yoke. Where-
upon, Feimhin, from wliom Ahigh Fcimhin in that ])rovince is said to
iiave derived its denominaticjn, appeared ni arms to oi)pose tliem.
However, Aengus engaged his army at the battle of Magh Reighna, and
having slain their leader,-^ he drove the Munster forces over the l^iver
Suir. This decisive engagement enabled Aengus to recover the plains
known as Magh Feimhin and Magh I^eighna. Afterwards, he formed that
i:atirc tract of country between the Barrow and the Suir into a distinct
jirincipality, ahke independent of Leinster and Munster. These events are
thought to have occurred during the latter half of the hrst century of
the Cluistuin era. According to the Book of Leinster, the grave of
.\cngus Osraighe is on the height over Cill Culind. This valiant founder
of tti.it princijKdity was succeeded by other rulers, who long maintained
u-> triritorial independence.-^
So lar back as the time of St. Patrick, and in the okk'st of his Lives,
the territory of Ossory is described as having been in the western part
of Leinster.-' But it would appear, that the kings of .Munster claimed
luii-iiii tion over Ossory, so far as (iowran ;-^ while on the other hand,
ill'- ()-MMiaiis conteiuK-d, that their country of Osraighe should comprise
.ill the 1.111(1- extending Iroiii the Rivw Suir to the lower River Barrow,
.'.:i'l nwni the mount. lins ot Slieve Bkjoin to the meeting of the Three
\\'.it<i-^ in W.iterlord H.n bour. bv virtue of the conquest made by their
.;:u('>!or .I-.ngus ()>r;iiL;he owr Magh Feimhin. 1 lowever, this claim
w.is never e>t.ibli>lie(i ; .uid the teiriloiy d(Je^ not a])pear to have com-
i'M-ed more than that iiiehuled within the present diocese of Ossory,
.a l-.i-t ^inc- the time of St. I'.itrick.-'
An. lent iN-..r\- vr<Mns to li.i\e comprised the former barony of
Lpj-ei ( >-.'.i;. -• lio-.\- divided into the ii.iionies of I'pperwoods, of Clan-
do:). ii;':i .i!id of Ci.iun.dl.i.i^h in the Queen's County — as also nearly the
r.-itirr o! ti.e i':.-v.-iit Cotint\- ol Kilkenny, -''^ before the Anglo-Norman
l!-.v.»^i..:i/i ^-iitc tiii> l.itle! period, the O'Dubhshlaine, O'Dullany or
•I". -.1 * ; r 1 ■■ N r:!-.-n):u'/Nt I.S the t)ut, tlu-y were aflcrwardy exi-elled
M^.tU iiUi:->>. Sir^ft !<.<>. <-.\ti-!i>liiiK' In' CiKorLj, ihe kin.i.; of that prt>\incc,
•-.i»iN !.. !•-.<• I). Ju!.A-»i i-h.iin. 1 he ank-d by Laoii^hscach LY-aii Mur, son
te*ii-'-« ylua u Mji,;!» Kr;»;ti!i.i. lx>iin<li-il to C'oiin.iri Cc.iriKich. Sec Rev. Dr.
i4» IV ».'-j!U }»v l!.'- DunJci^ r.m^c. Jeoltry Kc.itin,L;'s " History of Ireland,"
i«-<J*-r »ilc% l-ci..* KiUcnnv. .M.i::li under the rei^n of Corniac Mac Airt.
i-'n-^i.in «» iJ.c iJ.s:.! ox fcviiitJivrnin.ist -^ Sec l.)r. Jolin O'Donovin's l,v\h1iA'i
pi.a»f», *n5 tj;:?' "r i i-. :: ii liic Ko^k ol tia ^-C.'.njic, or il.iok of KiLjhts, u.
l'^»-'l (a). ].]>. i;-i,S.
^ U i» <t;L.. ,•.'. !•. i.!j 1 ih'- d.it.j. I. r ■" li 1-, tlnis ih'scribcd tiy O'Hui'llinn :
'•• • cvfoi, ^ nijc .sioLlApACjiuicc piMtic t:)pe.i5,
* 'vr* J.khn II. .:.t.'»'» " St. Ci.ir.m," Uc Opii.ii^^e .if -oo .\p -uUjeA-o,
l'Atr..n v.J VKvu-y . lli» I.ifr aii.J 'riini.--." o bL.iTjmA .\i)iac ^up An muiji,
I'.irt II . thjp. 111., pi>, 5 ; \<t'>. Kilkenny, CilmA a c.\c op n^ co>cuit).
!<;(>. 6\o. lo .Mac GioUaphatraic ol tlie Bregian
' I h-.w : — " < K ^i.li ii'.alls I-i;;in' nMuni tort,
j'l.i.:.!." — .\r^.ht•l^!lo;» 1:>!,!it '5 "Hrit- The land of Osraiqhe is due.
ta.'inic.tnin) {CcclcM.uurii .\ntiipnt.itf>.' l-roni Bladluna out to the sea,
s.ip. xvii., hcc Pi>. S05. '/►>. I>ul..lin L'diti.in Hravc is his battle over the battles.
vjI K'V). 4to. ^' After tins period, the Butlers
^ .MkuiI two hundred vt-ars after wrested a preat portion of Kilkenny
t!ic birth of Chri.^t, the '.Momoni.uis from the ^iaG Giolla Phadraigs and
lu.i.Ji- inroads on Leinster, and arc said formed it into a new territory, known
ti) h.ivc tonqiiered a jjreat part of it ; as Oriiioiul.
70
HISTORY OF THE OUEEX S COUNTV.
Delany ^- was a sub-chief o\'cr the cantred ^-^ of Coill Uach toracli, now
the barony of Upi)erwoods. Two other sub-chieftains were under him,^^
O'Cearbhaill or Carroll ^^ and O'Donnchadha ^'' or O'Dempsey. These
leading families, with the tribes of Leix, constituted the chief former
inhabitants of the present Queen's County.
Before the Christian era, the territory of Leix had no separate
existence, but it formed a part of the Kingdom of Leinster, apparently
inhabited l)y a people under the immediate jurisdiction of its chief rulers.
At times, it is thought to ha\e been subject, at least in great part, to
tlie kings of Munster. The circumstances that gave origin to the jn'in-
cipality of Leix, we shall endeavour to relate, as they are found in ancient
Irish story. Although necessarily obscured by distance of time, and
])0ssibly ]:)y bardic fictions accepted as authentic narratives ; on the
whole, the ancient annals and genealogies of Leix are not often incon-
sistent with the general traditions and known facts of Irish history.
The antiquities and monuments still remaining prove sufficienth^ how
remote most have been the period, smce its aboriginal inhabitants
occupied and cultivated its agricultural lands, or hunted through its
dense and ]:)rimeval woods. The people of Leix trace their early origin
from a northern stem to Ruidhrigh Mor,^'' descended from the line of Ir,
and he was remarkable for his warlike prowess.''^ From him the Clann
Ruidhrigh descended. Before and after the Christian era, the princes
who belonged to that line for the most part occupied the Royal Fort of
Emania. They held an extensive sway for a long period in Ulster, until
Colla Uais, or Colla the Noble, restricted their power.^''^ Afterwards,
many of the Clann Ruidlirigh left Ulster, and settled in other parts of
Ireland. Among these, not the least remarkable were the warriors who,
under the leadership of Lug Laighseach, transferred themselves to the
territory of Laighis in Leinster."-*
■'-Thus noticed by O'lliiullinn : — ■
A.\\\X) CAOifej;ch cuAice An rojtAix),
On ClioilL Aoibmn UAcbcotu\i5,
C'DnftflAine, pu\L An feA]!,
On rpLiAB Af AiLle inbeA5.
The liigh chief of the fruuful cantred,
Of the\lelightful Coill Uaclitoradi,
Is O'Dubhshlaine, hospitable the man,
From the mountain of most beauteous
rivers.
'•' Girakhis Cambrensis states, that
this division of land was supposed to
contain one hundred " villas," and
that its name was derived from the com-
pound word in the British and Irish
language, "Cant," meaning centu»i,
and '' Tref," villas. See ' Itinerarium
Cambria^," T-ib. ii., cap. 7., p. 867,
and Cambruc Descriptio," cap. iv.,
p. 884. Edition of Camden. According
to this, the Irish compound should be
ced-i>'t;bh.
••^ Thus described by O'Huidhrin : —
O'CeAiiftAiit •OAft coiiCfiA-o ciioinn,
©'"OonnchA-DA 'ojieAC ■oi05hoinn,
SI015 li-ij Ap x)on v\\\ ronAi-Q,
"Oa -1115 lAX) A hAonchonAt]!.
O'Cearbhaill for whom trees are ruddy,
O'Donnchadha of honest aspect.
Whose rock-like hosts possess the
fruitful land,
Are two Icings of the same territory.
'■^■' He is said to have l)een a descenclant
of the celebrated Cearbhall, chief lord of
Ossory from 845 to 885. The O'CarroU
of ttiis district is to be distinguished from
O'Carroll, of Ely O'CarroIl, seated at the
other side of the Slieve Bloom JMoun tains.
lie belonged to a different race.
'•''^ This name is sometimes incorrectly
rendered O'Donoghue. The Ui Dou-
chadha were also a tribe on the Dodder,
near Dubhn.
27 According to Rev. Dr. Jeoilry
Keating's ' Ceneral History of Ireland,"
book 1., he filled tne throne of Ireland,
A.M. 3850, and reigned for thirty years,
some writers giving him a reign of seventy
years. Seeparti.,p. 195, Duffy's edition.
2Ji See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of
the Four IMasters," vol. i., pp. 84, 85,
and notes.
^'^ See Roderick O'Flaherty's " Ogy-
gia," part lii., cap. Ixxv., Ix.wi.,
pp. 359 to 366.
*J Lioseach Lannmor, son of Conall
Cearnach, and brother of trial
Glunmhar, is said to have been the head
ANCIENT TKIHKS AND TRIHAL DIVISIONS. J I
Among the Ultonian champions of Irish heroic times, and largely
blended with the bardic and romantic literatnre of Ireland, few are more
celebrated than Conall Cearnach.-*^ He nourished about tlie time of the
Christian era ; and he was renowned among the Craebh Ruadh, or the
Red Branch Knights, lie was also leader of Conor Mac Nessa's army,
and he conducted the war against Kmg Oilioll and Queen Meave of
Connaught. This contest lasted for seven years. The Knights of the
ived Branch had engaged with the men of Leinster at the battle of
Kos-na-Righ, and had defeated them there ; so that afterwards, the
conquerors extended the bounds of the northern province beyond the
Ri\-er Boyne, and southwards to the River Rye.'- They had also made
an irruption into the Province of Munster, where they destroyed the
ancient fort of Teamhair Luachra. There is an account of a northern
poet Aithirne Ailghesach having embroiled Mesgedhra, the King of
North Leinster, who lived at Naas, with the Ultonians. The siege of
these latter at Howth, and the death of his brothers ]\Iesdeadad and
Laeghaire brought Conall Cearnach on the scene, with his Knights of the
ived Branch. "^The Leinster men then f^ed, the hero Conall Cearnach
went in pursuit of them to avenge his dead brothers, Mesdead and
Lie'^aire, and at Claen, a ford on the Liffey, he slew Mesgegra/-^ King
ut Leinster.'*
A renowned potentate of Leinster was Cuchorb. c-^nd he is said to have
been married to Meadhbh Leithdherg, or " Mca\e the half-red," daughter
to Conaii ol Cualann. It is stated, that Ik; fougfit no less than seven
l).ittlrs for his iiiimipality ; tlure of these at a jilaee called Ath Finn
ImiI,*-' and aLi) a l)attl'' at a j^lace called Ath an Sc:\il,''" one at Fossud,^^
one 'at .Maeji Maeui.''-^ and one at (.lais'- Crielic.'' According to a poem
or drath el- l^v, .ittributrd to his Qui'en Meave, he also fought a battle
at i-'.-rnas/ ' while he lai-rd a content to conquer Gailian.'^' When
("u-Cm:;.!i, the i>oi\ vi Mui^-Coibh,^- wa^ kmg of Leinster ^^ — owing
I.! ^:.;^ :..:.'.;%. S' c J-lm O'llart's from it to a place called ITada in Leighis
•• Iriih 1''. .li.rcos." jMtt VI., c..ii>, 1., (Lcix), iu the present Queen's County.
V, V J ;. J.. ;',?. 1h\u\ '.dition. Fortius he quotes the Book of Lecain,
♦^ ^--c an j..<. .:nt ol Imn m Kodenck fol. 93, 109.
«• rUi-rrf. '» *' (.)f;\ .;u," {.loxt Ut., caj). ^ Bcrnas (ubi Laighes RetaMor).- —
kivu.. i);*. 37S t'> jM. Bernas means literally a nap in i hill.
** V..r U iUi'.A.'v t.-f.vtcn the present Keta Mor in Laiglies, or Magh Reta
«.. •4r;!;r» <.J Mcath 3.u\ Kildarc. is said to have been the plain about
■»-«■<• Lustrnc O'Curry'i. " Lectnn-s Morett, near the Great Heath of
trt» •.;*<' .M.»nj^<Mpt M.itcn.iLs of AncK-nt Maryboroimh, in the Queen's County.
\ti\U Hutury." Icct., xn.. I>i). -'-"> Sec Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the
(., ,•;<», ' Four Masters," vol i., a.m., 3529, note.
"'Mil* .>.w>uut Is c.in*..un'- 1 m "The "'An ancient name for Leinster.
11 *>Vc o( I..ruistcr." V)mctiinei called the accordms to Professor O'Curry. But
H>)k of G!'-nd.il(ni|.:!i. f.lite<l by Robert within the territory of Leix itself there
AtkinviO, .M.A., LI..!)., fol. 116 b. is a tract yet called Guiken, while there
"This is interpreted the f.iir or whilt was another district near BallinakiU
/I'rJ 0/ /-"jj/. Its situation is unknown. called Galien.
*• Interpreted the jord of thf cluim- ;■•! In " The H lok ot Leinster," aUol. 44,
pun. h. 23, there is a tract descriptive of
*' .\ j:loss has ponjiu-o T)A 5;utic «.<•- .tin what is here stated.
ctimf) or residence uf the 'tMO fields. "According to the Irish Annals,
*» Or the plain of Mafn. when Ederscel, or Eidersceal — otherwise
** It means the boundary itnam. called Feargus Scannel, Ard-Righ or
Professor O'Curry states, that this High King of Erin — son of Eoghan,
stream was in the County of Kildare. son of Oilioll, had reigned from a.m.
and that it formed the eastern boundary 50S5 to A.M. 5089. he was slain by
ol an ancient territory, which extended Nuadha Neacht at the Hill of Allen,
72
HISTORY OF THE OUEEN's COUNTY.
perhaps to his refusal to pay them tribute ^^ — the people of Munster
declared war against him.^^ This happened during the reign of the
monarch Fcidlimidh Reachtmar over Ireland. ^"^
From tlie powerful monarch Cathair Mor,'" his son, Ros Failge, or
Ros of the Rings, ^"^ inherited that extensive territory, which after him
was called Ui Failge, or the descendants of Failge. He is described as
a valiant warrior and of impetuous temperament, in that composition
said to have been the Will or Testament of his father Cathair Mor.-''-'
yVccording to the Irish genealogists, the latter had three
wives ^'^ and thirty sons ; but only the ten mentioned in his
will left issue. *^i These are severall}/ named in the following
order : — i. Ros Failge/'- the eldest, from whom the O'Conors
of Hy Failgc,'^3 O'Dempseys, chiefs of Clann Maolughra, or
in the County of Kildare. But Nuadha
Neacht did not long enjoy his triumph,
lor he was slain at the battle of Cliach,
m the Barony of Idrone, in the County
of Carlow, A.M. 5090, by Conaire Mor,
son to Ederscel, and who afterwards
ruletl for seventy years, from a.m. 5091
to A.M. 5i(3o. After the fall of Nuadha
and the defeat of his people, Conaire INIor
levied a fine off the Leinstermen, ani.l
there resigned, by a solemn treaty
to the kings of Munster, that tract
of Ossory extending from Gowran to
Grian. See Dr. O' Donovan's " Annals
of the Four Masters," vol. 1 , pp. SS to
91, and nn. (x, y, z.)
^Besides the cession of part of Ossnry,
which formerly appears to have been
included within the jurisdiction of the
kings of Lcinster, they entered into other
engagements, binding themselves to
atone for the murder of Ederscel,
and this they swore to observe by the
air, earth, sea, land, sun, and moon.
See Roderick O'Flaherty's " Ogygia,"
pars lii., cap. xUv., pp. 271, 2/2.
However the Ossorians and Leinstermen
appear to have resisted successfully,
the imposition of such a tax, while they
carried encroachments into the Munster
province on various subsequent
occasions.
^5 It wou^d seem that he had carried
battle over Cliu INIail. which Professor
O'Curry states to be Cliu, an ancient
district in the barony of Coslea, 111 the
County of Limerick. It received the
additional name of Mail, from Mai, son
of Ugaine Mor, having been there slain.
^ He reigned nine years over Ireland,
from A.D. Ill to A.D. 119. See Dr.
O' Donovan's " Annals of the Four
Masters," vol. i., pp. 102, 103.
*'' He flourished in the second century
of the Christian era, and was recognised
as monarch of Erinn from a.d. i :!0 ;
but after a reign of three years, he was
slain by the celebrated Conn of the
Hundred Battles and the Luaighni
of Teamhair m the battle of Magh
h-Agda. The victor then succeeticd
lum as sovereign.
^^ It IS diflicult to ascertain, wliy he
was so called, unless we regard the
suffix to Ross' name as having had some
reference to tlie Ring-money, which has
fieen thought by antiquaries to have
been a metallic circulating medium
of value in ancienf times. A great
number of tine golden rings ol
much intrinsic value has been recovered
from time to time, and these are to be seen
in the collections of our museums.
^^ There are no less than three copies
of the UimnA ChArliAiii tnlion extant on
vellum in our Irish libraries, besides
another in the book of Leinster, as also
two copies used by Dr. John O'Donovau
when he was engaged in editing the
te<ibh<.\n rA j-Ce^jir, or Book of
Rights, for the Celtic Society of Dublin.
In that ancient compilation, the Will
of Cathair Mor is included and annotated
at pp. 192 to 203.
^^ These are said to have been Marnia,
daughter to IMorand, a Pictish prince ;
Manila, the daughter of Bressal, and
mother of Ros Failge, of Daire Barrach.
Eochaidh Timine and Bressal Enach-
glas ; as also Crimanda, daughter to
Achaius Dentiniger, or Eochy ot the
Black To(5th and ot the Ultonians.
"1 See Roderick O'Flaherty's ''C'gygia;''
pars, iii., ca]>. lix., p. 31 ;.
"■- The O'Conors of this race are to be
distinguished from those of Silmurray,
in Connaught, and from various other
families who bore the same name,
but who were from totally different
stocks, such as O'Conor of Kerry,
O'Conor Corcomroe, O'Conor of Glen
gevin, etc. See Dr. O'Donovan's
note 407, to the '' Topographical Poems
of John O'Dubhagain and GioUa na
Noamh O'lluidhrin," p. 1.
63 According to the O'Clerys, St.
Diarmaid, founder of the Church of
Gleann Uissen, was sixth in descent
AN'CIEXT TRIBES AND TRIBAL DIVISIONS'.
73
Clanmalire, and O'Dunnes of Hy Regan, derive their descent. 2. Daiie
Barrach/'' from whom spring the O'Gormans, or MacGormons. 3.
Crimthann, from whom are the Hy Crimthann,''^ 4. Bressal Enachglas.""
5. Achaias, or Eochaidh Timine.*^'' 6. Oihll Ketach/^'^ from whom the
country called Crioch-na-Ketach takes its name. 7. Fergus Loscan.''-'
8. Dearcmaiseach, whose posterity occupied the country near Dublin.
(). /Eneas Niger,"*^ or /Engus Nic ; and, 10. Fiacha Bah-Aidh, Latinized
Fiachus Bacchus. The latter was youngest of his sons.'^
The territory of Ui Failghe, usually anglicized Offaly or Ophaly,
formed a large level tract of land in Leinster, comprising the present
baronies of East and West Offaly in the County of Kildare, as also those
of Portnahinch and Tinnahinch in the Queen's County, with that portion
of the King's County, comprised within the present diocese of Kildare
and Leighlin. While the O'Conor Faly was head chief over this territory,-"-
lie had suliject to him O'Duinn or O'Dunne, chief of Ui Regan, which is
now Anglicised Iregan. Oregan and Dooregan. It still retains the ancient
name,'^ and it is co-extensive with the present barony of Tinnahinch, in
the north-western part of the Queen's County.
In like manner, the sub-chief of Clann Maoilughra"-^ or Clanmaliere,
named O'Diomasaigh or O'Dempsey, was tributar\' to O'Conor, chief of
11 V I'^ailge. His territory of Clanmalire extended on both sides of the
Kiver Barrow, north and south. It contained the barony of Portnahinch,
on the south side, in the Queen's County, and the barony of Upper
Pliihpslown, on the north side, m the King's County. The ancient
tcrntory of Leghe '■' was commensurate witli the present l^arony of
from him, and St. F\n.c of Slnbhtc is
s.i;>l 3<) h.ivi- l.r.-n las ;;r<.Ml j^rainl-bun.
'■• Chi. I, <.t I'l IJaiiLh-.
" (Jccwpyiii.; the tnUc lands, .iSo\it
Pdn.vm.i-;;-. ».Huch'3 Cuiinty. Hi- is
r..ii 1 t.) h.tv>- Ir.cii iincc-jtor to St. Colam
r.i C ri!uhlh.i!:iii. Vf.-.r.itt 1 (Hi the 13th
"If'.ta hi:ii arc d- nvcd the Ui
li:r.<-af h-k:'' I v '.*r l-'j I •humcIiI.us, \v)\o
mcir v-4t. i in the jirsent barotiy of
A;*.:.*. Ill the G.i-.i:ity «.>( Wn klow.
** llc<! '^» fi't Ajij^'^.ir to Isavc inherited
•• lh;» t* i«'\.v;!.\y tlic Co.itliach.. after
»t> .'51 !j»o iJi!>'.rKt ur i'.iroiiy of Ui
C'jktAi^tU. of Krathy. in the north of
KiIIajc. *IA» Cuilrd.
• He «» »;•', Wrj iwrt, ai haviii.; ac-
quired tfsl-' U.'i I
>» .Mxi KA.ll A.r.zM of the lilack-
lo>t!» —A jwr-vjual deforraily. He did
unt oStain trilT larn'..
" K(xlcrick (riUJi-ny add" — " Cui
rx Iiresi,iho HcUch fiho Krin-us Nia i!i
L.iuradius Hy Kcii^ahoru::i sator i.\\.io
iii-|«jtr5 stcuti>-» L.\;;iinr re^ei
Viiiueriint." — ""p^yi^ia," i>ars. in., cap.
lix., pj). 310. 311.
~^ In the In->h poem of OHaidliiin,
it !•> thus described : —
Cpi-ic O bp^ilje ^n fuinn caIIai5
ni h-.iirij:pip e 1)' rileAiJAib,
0'Coticot).MIt cuin5 jn elvMn
A]\ v^o)imcuL.Mt; cui-p CfiuAcliAin.
Lortl 01 Ui-Faiii;he the land ot cattle —
It IS not unknown to poets ;
O'Conchobhair is hero of the plain
On the green round hill of Cruachan.
" It IS thus described liy O'Huidhnn ;
^t' l!'^ rvi.ij50iin DA HUA3: rcjtom,
5;..ipH.i me..\]i liiunJeap coiriLonn,
oTDuinn, CAOifOdc nA cojIa,
Cu)n5 DA cciiAoireAC c<\cofni)4.
0\'er Ui Kiac;ain of heavy routs,
A viL;iirous tribe who conquer in
battle.
Is 0'l>u:nn, chief of demolition,
Hero ot the golden bat tle-spears.
"•' It is thus de-.cnbed by O'Huidhnn :
ClAnn mAOiliijpA op 5AC pci-OAin
ll.ipAl, ceini A ccine.i'DhAi 5;,
Clv^Jl win .in cujn ■00 co]'»\in,
Ci)! Af ■ou.iL X)' 0'X)ioiiiop<ii j.
The Clanu-Maoilughra over every
tribe,
Noble the degree of their race ;
A smoothplain this septhavedefendcd.
The l.ind is hereditary to
O'Diomosaigh.
"O'Huidhnn thus describes it: —
AOibinn An cpt'och, ci..\n ](o clop,
CuAch lejiO nA Ie4]i5 polop,
0'CeLlAi5 Lei5e, on C]tAi^ cAiji,
CeiLe All cl.Mtt eAn;;Ai5 lubpAij.
Delightful the territory, long since it
was heard.
The cautred of Leghe of bright slopes
74 HISTORY OF THE QUEEN S COUNTY.
Western Ofl'aly in the King's Countj' and it tool; in a small portion
of the present barony of Portnahinch in the Queen's County. In this
latter district, the great castle of Leighe, Lea or Ley, on the south bank
of the River Bariow, was situated, and in it the chief of that cantred,
named O'Kelly, seems to have resided.
The Ui Bairche are descended from Daire Barrach, the second son of
the Irish monarch, Cathair Mor. Originall3^ they were probably exempt
from the jurisdiction of the Kings of Leix, although subsccjuently, they
became incorporated with his clansmen and extended territory. They
possessed the present barony of Slieveraargy, in the Queen's County, and
lying west of the River Barrow. They are said, also, to have held a
district extending from Ath Truistean, a ford on the River Greece, near
the hill of Mullaghmast, six miles east of Athy, in the County of Kildare,
to the ford at Cill Corbnatan — where this lattir was has not been
ascertained.
The Ui-Foircheallain were anciently seated in a plain, known as Magh-
Tuathat, and they are alluded to in the Irish Annals. Whether or
not they had been exempt from the ancient territury of Leix, and the
rule of its kmgs at some former period, seems to be matter of great
uncertainty. In after times, they belonged to Leix, and according
to an ancient Irish usage, they gave name to the parish of Offerrilan,
extending along the eastern slopes of the Sheve Bloom Mountains,
in the Barony of Uperwoods, Queen's County. Another district Ui-
Ikiidhe, now Ballyadams barony, lay within the Ixunids of Leix, and
it is not'ced in the Irish Annals.
The sept, or seven-partite system,"*^ was a curious pcculiaritv of Irish
civil life, and it appears inwoven, likewise, with the ecclesiastical customs
of division. \\'e have only to instance those numerous entries of seven
churches and of seven bishops, connected with jiarticular localities, as
found in the pages of our Calendars and Annals. The word " sept " has
been derived from the Latin " se]itum " by Dr. Jolmson, who considers
the term as being peculiarly Irish."'' Tins term is thought by others,
however, not to be exclusively Gaelic, but to have been derived from the
French cep, " a stock," "scion," or" plant," more especially employed as
referring to a vine sucker or shoot. Besides the instance of seven septs
in Leix and Offaly, it is worthy of remark, that the Fermanagh terri-
torial extension was also di\ided into seven " tuatha," or people-
divisions.'^
This great territory of Leix was originally distributed into seven
tribe-lands, and its l:)Ounds are said to have met at a stone, denominated
Leac Riada, on the plain of Magh Riada."^ For purposes of descrijition,
this is not only inaccurate, but it is likewise unintelligible. The plains of
Magh Reicheat — said to be Morctt ^'^ — and of Magh Riada are mentioned in
the Irish x\nnals, at a.m. j^io. The latter is stated to have been a plain in
O'Ccallaigh of Lcylie, of the eastern "^ See Or. O'Donovnn's "Annals of
bank, the Four Ma^iters," n'oI. i., at A.n. 648.
Is siib-chief of the plain of deUs and '-'This hiv about tlie pre.S(.'nt old
yews. Castle of Murett. See notes to Dr.
'•'The seven-partite, or seven-fold 0'Dono\-an's " Annals of the Four
division, is also a peculiarity in the Masters," at A.>r. 2520, vol. i., and at
British and Caledonian Heptarchies. a.d., 1106, vol. lii.
'''He derives the word '' heptarchy," ""According to Dr. O'Donovan.
however, from the Greek epta, seven, si \ very ancient iioem in tlie " Book
in his Fnghsh Dictionary. of Lt-in'^ter " mentions "' I'lrnas, ubi
ANCIENT TRIBES AND TRIBAL DIVISIONS. 75
Leix, and which contained the forts of Lec-Reda and Rath-Bacain^ where
the chiefs of Leix resided, while the church there was called Domnachmor.
From Magh-Riada also the chiefs of Leix were styled Kings of Riada.*^
This Celtic Heptarchy was under the government of seven subordinate
and petty chiefs, who were subject in turn to the jurisdiction of an arch-
king called the Righ Riada or Reta. Over these septs, for centuries, the
O'Moores ruled, and these were chief seigneurs or patriarchal and powerful
dvnasts. The Archon of Leix — at least during mediaeval times —
had his customary chief residence at Dun IMasc,^' now that re-
markable castled crag, where the ruined fortress of Dunamase may still
be seen.
The seven original divisions of Laoighis, Latinized Lagisia, and now
Anglicized into Leix, probably continued for centuries without much
change of boundary. In the beginning of the hfteenth century,^^ the
whole territory was comprised within seven cantrcds, and they are dis-
tinguished, by Giolla na Noamh O'Huidrin,^' he having previously
• lescnbed the district of Ophaly.^^
1. Laoighis Reta. This sub-division of the territory was probably
till; portion retained in possession of O'More, the Ard-Righ, and his clans-
men. Besides the territorial possession of Laoighis Reta,*^^ it would seem
that the Chief Tanist had a certain tribute paid him from the subordinate
cli\'isions of ancient Leix.''' The territory of Lauigliis Reta was com-
mensurate with the northern half of the barony of Maryborough West,
and the north-western half of the barony of ^r;u-\-l)orough East. This was
the most distinguished cantred of the sewn districts, constituting the
f(.)riner prinripalit\- of Leix. Hrre, tm), was prul)al)ly the chief fortress,
known as Dunamase.'^ Aci^drding to the Dindsenchas,^^ Cainen Masc
I,;ii^hcs Iveta M'ir." I'roUs^ur Alter L'i-Kail;^he of the anticnt lands,
luigfiic O'l'uirv, in his " Lo lui'i.-s Let us api^roacli Laoi^'his of Leinster.
ou the .M.inusv ript Maten^K ol Browu-haireJ heroes for whom shosvers
Ancient In-Ii Hi-t-ry," Appendix li. tall,
]'\i. .i'l. .;;j. ni'te-^, th.it '• bern.ib " We shall devote some time to their
iiuMii". a i.i]> la ;i lul! \'.h.r.e '" r.au;his " history.
:.fjtu!:. s l.-iv. aiid •' Kcta M-.r," is t<3 o'Huidhrin thus alludes to it : —
i-'.i-nlu.il uith tile jjrosent Murett.
«.\ec.::diat; to l»uald Mac Firbis" tn6iicuo>ch tAOi^i-e tia lAnti |-Ln7i,
(■..■:■.■ .li...-;.^. .md under Uic head of L.\ei5ir UeAca, .ip in-^ r-^^''u'"i,
l.,ij. !.■.■. I ..; ihr.m. Oniup-OA CO ccleich CACA,
•-•.i.Ka lui No.imh O'llnidhnn or -in pcctc 6hx)a AOiTOAchA.
O'llc-iuj. a, I'-.irnrd Irish hi-.l'.)Man and The great territory of LaoiLjhis of slender
r.j...;:^; ;.• :. x» alv > n iHH.-t, has left as a swords,
»»} ; l'r.'.'-:it i> tlic I oiKi^rapliieal Poem T.uoiyhis Rcata, of it I speak,
..( J. !.ti O'Du; h.i.^.iin or John O'Du-an, Belongs to O'Mordha with bulwark of
wliilr hi* .id'.-d {>>jrtion deals cluell\- battle,
with the pruK-ipal tubes and tern'ories Qf the golden shield of one colour.
of Ltiiistcr and .Muiister, O'lluidhrin «- t t •• „ ^( t\.^ r^;,.tu -.ro-,,-
,,._,. ^ , . ,^,^ "' In an Inquisition of the nmth year
died al an advanced age in 14-0. ^ ,-, 11 , .1 • 4. 1 „, „<.
*'Sec " The Topographical Poems of ° '-^"^--^ h.hzabeth s reign takeu a
John OT)ut;hag:!.u*' and G.olla na Maryborougn, on Hie 17th of J"ne ^ve
Noamh O'llnidhnn." edited by John ^"^' ^^ account of the lands, customs,
U-lJonovan, LL.D.. and published by ^"^^es, perquisites^ and prohts be-
the lush Arch eolog.cal and Ceitic ^^"^T^ r^' ^'^'''^ S^T' Td n W o
Society, m 180J. Dubhn, Svo. his chieftainry. We also find a 1st of
^ Tiie following is O'Huidhnn's Irish ^he town ands. which he held of his own
text, with the Enghsh translation :- V^^'P'"' inheritance, and not as captc.n.
•D'eip O bp.MljenA yyonu pcAn, ^ It is said to have derived this name
•Diumn'jtn iie\^oi5,p L^M^eAn, from Mase, son of Augen I'rgnaidh,
lAochjiAi-6 bAnn-uonn tja VKeAji Ft^Af, the fourth son of Sedna Siolhbhaic, an-
C.^BIlonl pe<\l ^]\ a fCAncAi-. cestor of the people of Leinster. See iJr.
76
HISTORY OF THE OI'EEN's COUNTY.
one of Ugen Urgnaid's sons,'"' gave name to Dun M.-isc, wliere he built a
fort. It IS a lofty isolated rock, on which fornierlv was a large fort
or stone cathair, l)ut which the English crowned with a strong castle,
now in ruins. This division contained the fort of Ivath Bacain,''i and
the rock originally known as Leac Reda.'-'- J lere too, the 0'^h'u-dha■''
had its chief residence.
II. Kinel Criffan, the division in which, according to some, " the
Castle Crag " of Dunamase was situated, received also die denomination
Ui Crinithainn. or Hy-Criffan.'" The sub-chieftain O'Duff was ruler of
the Kinel-Crimthainn.^=' These were the inhabitants of this tcrritorw
comprising probably at present the greater part of the barony of
Maryborough East.
III. Tuath Fiodhbhuidhe belonged to tlie clan O'Deevy,^'' sometimes
called Devoy.'''' The name is yet common in this part of the Oueen's
County. This territory contained the northern part of CuUinagh Barony
and the southern half of Maryborough West Barony.
IV. Magh Druchtain was the country of O' Kelly. It would appear to
be identical with the district marked Feran OTvellv on the old map of
Leix and Ophaly.^« ]\iagh Druchtain in now identical with the barony
of Stradbally.'''' In the earlier part of the last century this territory
was locally known by its traditional name ; and it is considered the most
fertile district in the whole Queen's County, extending from the ford of
Athbaiteoige and the ford of Ath-fuiseoige to near Luggacurren. Mr
O' Donovan's " Annals of the I'\jur
Masters," at a.d. 843, vol. i. n. (a).
"^See that version in the " Buuk of
Leinster," edited bv Robert Atkinson,
M.A.. LL.D., fol. lOo a.
s" Accortluif; to a brief note in '"The
Book of Lcmster," p. \Gz h. — Ugen Urg-
naid was son of Setnu Sitlibacc, and
he had six sons : viz., Ladru, Noe,
Finteng, Luad, Guar and Alb. All of
these names have entered into a separate
topogra]ihical combination. Yet, the
iKiiuc- I.A C";iin/iii M;ise is here omitted.
'" it iiKiv lie (incslioncd, if tliis be tlie
K.ilhn M.nlhi granted to \)r C'nnsi;ni-
tnie, alter (he /\iiglo-N<inn,ui liuMsidii.
'^- See Dr. O'Donovau's " Annals of
the Four Masters," vol. i., a.m. 3529,
and vol. ii. at a.d. 9 58, n. (a.)
"^ This name is usually Anglicized
O'Moore or O'More, at present ; however,
the pret^ix O' is generally omitted, and
Moore only retained.
''^ This IS stated by O'Huidhrin : —
■p<\ 'Oun niAfCC Ay mi'n puinn.
0'T)uib yo]\ CbeneL cCnioiiic<\mn,
C]iiAch An ■c\\\e pA to|iA-6,
lAcli Af mine meAfiio^AX).
Under iJun Mase ot smooth land,
O'Duibh IS over Cinel-Criomthaiim,
Lord of the territory which is under fruit,
Land of smoothest mast-fruit.
"5 Their territory is said to have been
near the fortress of Dunamase.
'"' O'Huidhrin thus characterises its
soil and inhabitants : —
SeAncuAc pto-otjunje An jlnimn 51L,
fllAich An cij;eA|mup CAOipi.^ ;
lllinncin ■pio-oliuiTJe -xy •duaL x>\,
SliiAt; fionn bin-oe iia -ptl-li.
The oUi Tuath-l'-iodhhhuidhe of fair land
Is a good lordship ior a chief ;
The Muintir Fiodhbhuidhe are its in-
hentfjrs,
The yellow-haired host of hospitality.
^' Such was 'the opinion of Mr.
O'Donovan, at the time when he was
engaged on the antiquarian department
of the Ordnance Survey for the Queen's
County. But at a subsequent period of
hie, he asserts, that the situation of the
Muintir h^iodhbhuidhe had not been
determined. Their name means,
" The People of the Yellow Wood,"
and is one of man}' instances, in which
clans had other than patronymic de-
nominations, such as " The Old Evil
Children of the VVooil," near the City of
Limerick ; and the Clan Ceitherne,
or " Children of the Kerne or Caterans,"
in Ulster.
9' Now preserved in the library of
Trinity College.
S9 O'Huidhrin thus speaks of it : —
Op 1111115 TDiiuAchcAin ah 'ouin 51L,
0'CeAlLAi5 An cIaiji eijnij,
x\f f AtiiAii tiiin An niui5e,
Vie x:\\\ CAitAfu ccA^uijuqie.
Over Magh-bruchtain ot the fair fortress,
Is O'Ceallaigh of the salmon-full river.
Similar is the smooth surface of the
plain.
To the fruitful l.iiid of promise.
ANCIENT TRIBES AND TRIBAL DI\TSlOXS.
n
O'Donovaii idcntilics it with tlie district — on the map now published
called Feranokelle,!^"-' as extending from Ballymaddock southward? to the
hills of Slewmargie, and as comprising the Park near Stradbally, the
churches of Grange and Oghteoge, and Craogh Castle. The words of
O'Heerin clearly show, that he was well acquainted with the fertility,
beauty and local features of this territory."'^
V. Gailine, now Gallen,^'-"- or Dysart-Gallen, in the barony of Cullenagh,
was also the territory of another O'lveUy.^"^ It extended from near Abbey-
Icix to the boundary of Slievemarigue, and it is marked Galin on the old
inaji of Leix and Ophaly.
VL Crioch O'Muighe, the country of O'Caolluidhe,^"^-^ lay along the
River Barrow. In the old Life of St. Abban, iniblished by Colgan, the
Church of Kill-Abban is mentioned as being situated within this territory.
The scholiast on St. Aenghus, however, places that same church within the
territory of Hy-Muireadhaigh. Dr. OTJonovan hesitates in accepting the
latter account, preferring the testimony of St. Abban's Life. O'Heerin
describes the river Bearbha or Barrow as the boundary line dividing the
territories of Laoigliis and Hy-Muireadhaigh. The topographer and poet,
1 laving treated on the territories of Oft'aly and Leix, says, that he will cross
t'lie river ikirrow to Maistean, now Mullamast, to give a description of
( )'Toole's country, Hy-Muireadhaig. Thus, it would seem from O'Heerin's
Imes, that tins territory of O'Kelly extended along the west bank of the
l^carbha'"'^ in Leix, and that il contained the church of Kill-Abban. Dr.
()'Dono\'an is of opinion, that it must luwe comprised the barony of
liallyadanib, and thatpoitiun of the County Kildare, which extended
wt-stward of the liwT Barrow.'"-'
Vll. Clinch ()'mdjartha >ignitit's tlie countr\' of the Il\'-Barrtha
or Hn'-I '.ail n 111-, ihc (it -11 iid.iiit> (it M.uie Barracli,''''' the son ot Cathaoir
Mor, Kui-' ol l.ciii^trr, and uf all Ireland, m the second century
ot the ( hii-tiaii era. The Abbe Mac Geoghegan and other
Iri-li hi-^tou.iiis \\AW pl.iecd tlii^ trilie in the baronv of
^l:e\^.•!n,^!l,L;uc.'-' Accuidiiig • to the- Will of Cathair ]\Ior,iO'->
'■'• Frfan'.K' :! • Hi' .»!is !lr l.ml. or '"■■> 'I"he J^ivcr Barrow, winch flows
(:-. 'Tr t.j.vv •,;;.-. \\:- nu-:i ul D'Kclly. bctwci-n this territory, and that of
'I ; r t :::•.. r rc;v;tvi J. -a.! ..1 th.it l.iiuiiy l'i-Muirea(lhaiL;h, which latter is called
n •.,.: t'. .'-.vNc Uvii .Mr. I'l.T.is Kel!_\-, of O'Murethi by GiraUlus, and it w.is the
<,*■.■:••; a:\ I'ci.ry. tribe name of the O'Tuathails, or
*'* I J..- ot,-t.l•u^ ua-.tiii.," Ill till- drme>,ne O' i'onles.
• ■! ^!f A ll>.»llv H.v'.l. .iml tin- nv<r liiiwiiiL^ '"'Thus writes OTIuidhrin reyardin^
l(»rQ<)r to !;,r If..i;f ,)\v, .lb mil 1 \\\ trout, tins territory: —
rrJ, ah! liiSlcxcul u'.h' r ^'-ixus ot Ire^^h Cinoch O'tnm.^e aw f-oitj pnnci^,
v«Atrj ',.\\\. l)eoijibA biiij; bnAoinlmncii;
»'"U'lluidhnn oV.orvi-s jo^MidiiiL; it: T) 0'CAoLLAn'>e .\p cAotii <\ii cinoch,
,s-''l<nc n.s j-jicifj i-<ju'-l«'.ri\ A(j5;oi]ic tii]! vwoiii ei]'|-ioc.
"t> i> chc.ll.n.- Tii cuii'.uisjlicfjt, Croicli U-inbiiulhe of the lair sod,
C]!om ^5 fi.\v.u:h .-.n f""'" -Moni^ the Bearbha of the bright pools,
t\li ponn ns;;iijr..-.i li n5|;-Mt ir.f. To O'Caoillaidhe the territory is fair,
(.;iiline of the j.lea-.iiil .itie.ini>, A shepherd prepared to encounter
To 0'Ceall.iii;li is not uuh'.re litary, enemies.
.Mii^hty IS the tribe at huiitin- '"' See Dr. O'Donovan's Loabhar na
On the sunny land of Gailine. g-Ceart, or " Book of liights." pp. 212,
"^ Sec Dr. O'Donovan's ''Annals of 213 n. (in.)
the I'our Masters," at .\. I). 13.49, vol. iii., '"^ Dr. O'Donovaii inclines to the
!>. 733. n. (s.). opinion, that they maj' be correct in
10' This name has been .\nL;lici/,e(l this statement, although he is convinced
O'Cayley or O'Keely, and it is still the name Hy-Bairche bears no analogy
c<iinmon in the ])rovince of Leinster. with Sliabh Mange.
I' has been incorrectly .\m;licizcdO'l\elly 1 '->'■* Of this dcicument, three copies
or Kelly.
jS HISTORY OF THE (^UEEn's COUNTY
it woultl seem, that there had been se\er;il families ot the Ui P)airche
seated about Cloncurry, Kill and Kilossy, m the County of Kildare."^
However, the great antiquity of that composition has been questioned ;"i
while it is supposed in its present form, to ha^•c been drawn up S(jme cen-
tupcs after the death of Cathair Mor, and when tlic race of his sons had
more definite territories in heinster.ii- Accordiiit; to the Dinnseanchus,
the apiK^lation of Mairt^v is derived from I\Iarga, the son of Giustan]
Lawgiver of the Fomorjans, who was killed on this mountain. The
exact situation of the Hv-Barrtha has not betii clearly dehned.^'* After
the establishment of Irish surnames, the chief family there took the name
of O'Gorman or MacGorman.i^* However, it seems rather doubtful if this
latter territory belonged to Leix, as originally constituted ; but, in course
of time, it is certain, that it became annexed to the principality of Ui
■Mordha or the O'Moores.
The Ui-Duach of Argad-Ros, n''- people known as living in the territory
of Idough, also written Odach. — supposed to have been co-extensive
with the present barony of Fassadunn,!!*^ County Kilkenny — had a
part possession of the Queen's County ; namely, that in which the town
of Durrow is situated. Nevertheless, the district was formerly much
more extensive, ^^" and it was a lordshij-) under Calhal, son of Dubhan,
whe died a.d. S50 "^ or 851.11'^ It was likewise the territory of the
O'Braoinains or O'Brennans, descended from Cathair IMor, King of
Leinster, and afterwards monarch of Ireland. Carrol", the twelfth in
descent from Bresal Breac, the son of Catliair Mor, was the great-
grandfather of Giolla-Padruig, Prince of Ossory, We learn through
Keating,!-" that from Bryan, the son of Carroll, are descended the
OT^iaonain of Uibh Duach, distinguished by their irrilitary achievements,
and who were some of the most renowned cham])ions of the times in
on vcUnni exist, besides two copies
\iSL'd liy 1 >r. joim O'Donovan in editing
the toAbliAti r)<\ j-CeA^c, , or the Book
of Riyhts. See Introduction, pp. xxxiii
to XXXV.
1'" See Rev. I^lmiis Murphy's article
on KiUashee Church, in the " Journal
of the County Kildare Archxological
Society," vol. i., No. i. p. 17.
^^1 It is certain, there are great
differences in the texts of those copies
we now possess ; while another cojiy,
differing from any known, seems to
have been consulted by Rodenclc
O'Flaherty, in his " Ogygia," pars,
iii., cap. lix.
11- See the Irish of Cathair Rlor's
Testament, with the Enghsii translation
and notes of Dr. O'Donovan in t,eAblK\|i
5-CeAHc, or the Book of Jiights,
pp. 192 to 203.
113 O'Huidhrin treats of the territory,
in the following quatrain : — •
C]n'ocli O nibAHprhA An buoJA 5toin,
■Do fid 'Ooitue buTO bAjiitAij,
0'5o|inK\ni Tjo 5bAC nA puinn,
bA pjiAp 1 coniTJAib coriiLiitnn.
The territory of the Ui-Barrtha of Hv
line glebe.
Of the race of the melodious Dairc
Barrach ;
O'Gorman received the lands,
Rajjid was he in the battle meeting.
^'■•This family was driven from their
territory here after the Anglo-Ncjrman
invasion, and the chief of them
ultimately fixed his residence in the
Barony of Ibrickan, in Thomond, Clare
County.
^'^ Rendered the Silver Wood, a district on
the River Nora. In it was erected the Fort
of R.Tth-Bc-otliaigh, by Ileremon and Ileber,
the sons of jMilidh or Milcsius, a.m., 3,01.
It is still known as I\.athbeagh, on the Nuie,
and in a paiish of the same name, in the
Harony of Gahnoy, County Kilkenny. See
Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the Four Mas-
ter," vol. i., pp. 26, 27, and nn. (g, h.).
"^The Irish name, pAppAcli "Omeen,
mean^ the dcbcrt or wilderness bordering on
tlie (river) Dinan.
"' Ry O'h-Uidhrin, the Ui Diiach-Osraighe
is alluded teas the "fair wide plain of tlie
Feior or Noie." See Dr. O'Donovan's edi-
tion of " The 'Fopographical Rciems of John
O'Dubhagain and Giujla na Naoinh O'Huidh-
rin," pp., 94, 95.
"*See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. i., pp. 4S2 to 4S5, and
n. (c).
'''■• A second entry. Sec iii)/., and n, (1:.).
'-" See p. I 12. i;diti(>n of 1 725.
ANCIENT TRIBES AND TRII5AL DIVISIONS.
79
which they lived. From Ruman Duacli.'-'' descended from Aen^us
Osraighe/-- tlie territory and tribe of Ui Duach derive their name.^-'^
There are several references to those various districts, into which
Leix had been formerly divided, by our chronograjihers. Besides the
territory of Ui Creamhthann, in Leix, and which lay in and around
Dunamase, there was another territory so called in Meath.^-* Therefore,
owing to the similarity of denominations, but in different places, it
becomes difficult sometimes to determine the exact locality connected
with names, persons and incidents, which are noticed in our Irish Annals.
However, from the circumstances of names and position, this inference
of place can sometimes be fairly conjectured. Thus the battle of Sliabh
Beatha,^-'^ in Ui-Creamthainn, fought by Conmael, who died a.m., 3579,^-'^
has undoubtedly reference to a territory so called, and distinguished
iVom that in Leix. Lough Aenbeithe 1-^ — whicli has been Anglicized
" ],ake of the one Birch Tree " — in Ui-Cremthainn, broke out in the
reign of Aengus Olmucadha, who was killed, a.m. 3790. In a.d. 650
was fought the battle of Fleascach,i-s by CrnnmaL-l, Chief of Kind
Owen, in which Cumascach, son of Oilioll, Chief of Ui-Creamthannan,'-'*
was killed. Flaun Sifnna Ua-Colla, Abbot of Clonmacnoise, one of
the Ui-Creamhthainn, died a.d. 726.120 in 738, Maenach, son of Connalach,
lord of Ui-Creamhthann, was killed in the battle of ilagh-Scirigh, said
U) be near Kells.^^^ Most probably, this Ui-Crcainhthann was in Meatli.
In 832, Ruaidhri,^'" son of Maelfothartach, half-chieftain of Ui-Crimh-
thaum,'-'-' died. In 84S, Braen,!^^ and his two brothers, Fogartach ami
Bruadar, sons of Ru.idhi acli, lord of Ui-Crenihthainn.i"'^ were slain bv
tluir own tribe-^. Muircadhach, son of Cathal, lord of Ui-Cremhthainn,^"''
dird ot paraly-is. a.d. .^05.^^'' Cumascach, son of Muireadhach, lord
of the Ui-Crenihthainn ' ^^ was slain by the Ulidians, a.d. S75.i^'j Maclcaere
lord (it ri-Creuuhainn,'" died a.d. SyG.^'^ Anrothan, son of Murchadh,
Imd of lT-CiimhtIi,i!n:i.''-' died A.D. 885. Ful>hthadli, son of Murchadh,
lord of ri-Cnmhthaui!!."' di'd a.d. 8(jfj."' Cclc, son of Anrothan^
'■•'• Tl Iv V;;:j o ui ! I'. I,..'.,- ! e -n a r.>^ >", '"'' Xot idcniificcl.
a:;h - :^;> !.i- v-.rtt ■»- .:.\ i..i . r (.ri-t) vt-nciatcd ^■"' Tlii.s lia:^ Lscn identified with the terri-
».% **■..•!. ^'.x )iu (.: ;i,:r-7 III j .r.n I l.-.^in'i tory in Meath hy William M. Ilcnne.ssy in
•• M. < .i!A.-., l-:!(.:i •) <i.v,:y." I'art i., " Ciitonicum Scuioruni." See pp. 94, 95^ and
-.'..*,. ■>; , J. 35. ■»- i \-it: I., ci.ap. X., p. Index, p. 4iij.
• 5^ '■•'■'See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the
''*Hf ] i-l »a fr.c tin', .v.-.-.aty of ih- Four M.istcrs," \^ol. i., pp. 322, 323, and
( ■i.»'.tf»»3 cfv n. (a.)
■"• Ti-.» u«ni ijr tl li.ii> .:'.>cii;-'.d by ' ' •'^'■e ;'/7, jip. 33S, 339.
Cltv-If-' - ■^- See ;:'/./, p[). 44S, 44<;, and n. (t.).
h Ui X>«ji; Orr*-,^« ■»" »-'"'^ f'- ^^Allhough Dr. O'j)onovan .si,\ifs ihat
fso*^*!- ff.^r r*'rr''.S ''•* V'^'^M <"i ''''^ tcrriMry was in .Meatli, we may question,
n> rj^.ttr4 yrA<t A'> {\ :<;•> .iKo, it it h.id not been in Leix.
r^Jr * l'*r.lTa O" l>,«>/.o'^.Mr. '"See iln/, [ip. 4S0, 4.S1.
Ill ' >-v-h <•; < ^-..-iY'-* ' ' ■•■'^ ".iiiii io^il, ' ■* It seems doubtful if this were in Me.uh
The iji't nuir {j^j>::).'f \':.r tt ::i, or I.iix.
Not cinly piiv»jMe u the w.^ »J >.f t.'.t? p!«)n, "'' T lie exact locality has not been ascer-
III pr-^tccfint; chief i» (Jlw* .r.a:r.. l.'Mnnl.
'■•* N'.jw ln«»n d.1 iliC l.a.K.iny of SLm-. '-■ Sec tin/, pp. 502, ^03.
**Not iJcntitied. SliiU) lif*;).! wj-. on '^ Its [lOiition as a district is not deter-
I he borders of Mot; a^hin And Kcrm^ru^h. mined.
'■^ Sec Dr. O'Donovan's " /Viu.ils ol the ^^ See ?'/./, jip. 522, 523.
Four Mav.eti," vol. i., pp. 3S, 39, and '" Its ixjbiiiun has not been determined.
n. (d.). '*^ Sec ibiJ, pp. 522, 523.
'=^ Not identified. Possibly, IlclUhcc '^- In the Index to Dr. O'Donovan's " An-
Louf^h, on the confmesof Meathand .Nlonaj;- nals of the Four Masters," it is set down as
ban ; but this is a doub'.ful cunjcclute. belonging to .Meatli.
So
HISTORY OF THE OUEEN S COUNTY
and of Ui-Crimhthannain, died 921. ^'^^ If this latter belonged to Leix,
so most probably did the former, to which allusion has been made.
Flaithchius, son of Scorachan, lord of Ui-Crimhthannain, i"' died 923.^^"
Entries more pertinent to the territory of Ui-Creamthann in Leix shall
subsequently appear, as the foregoing have a doubtful localization.
Great changes of boundary took place during the lapse of ages in
the extent of Leix, and after its first formation as a distinctive territory.
Thus, Ancient Ossory is said to have comprised the three districts
called the Three Comauns.i'"^ If so, they appear to have formed a
considerable part of Leix in afterlimos. However, we know not on
what authority it is stated, that those extended northwards to
Ballydavis, in the parish of Straboe, barony of ^Maryborough, Queen's
County, until the beginning of the ninth century, when they were
united to Leix.^''^ Nevertheless, our Annals throw some light on
their position, and especially our Ecclesiastical Records ; for we
single instance allusion made to the deaths of the
over Tegh ]\Iocliua and the Comauns. Again,
we know from allusions to the chiefs of Leix before the close of the ninth
century, that they ruled also over the Comauns. Thus the death of
Cinneidigh, son of Gaeithin, lord of Laighis and of the Comauns,'-'"
is chronicled at the year 898. ^^^ Hence it would appear, that his
jurisdiction extended beyond the limits of Leix propter, and that he
likewise governed the district known as the Comauns. Through man\'
subsequent generations, the tanists of Leix ruled over the Comauns.
Where this latter district was exactly situated may admit of question. 1^-
To us, the Comauns appear to have extended along the hills eastward
from Timahoe and Fossey ; and it is likely enough they were to be found
find in more than a
Bishops who ruled
■''*■' Its exact position not determined.
^" At 916, l''eiij;us, son of Muiiit;en, with
many others, were slain at Loch-Dachacch.
He was chief of Ui-Crimthainn, in the barony
of.Slane, Meath. See William M. Ilennessy's
'' Chronicum Scotorum," pp. iSS, 189.
'■'^ See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. ii., pp. 60S, 609.
^■*" Position not determined.
^■*^ See ibid, pp. 612, 613.
"** See Dr. O'Donovan's tract "On the
Tribes and Territories of Ancient Ossory,"
published in the "Transactions of the Kil-
Icenny and South-east of Ireland Archaio-
lorrical Society."
^■''■^Sce ]\ev. Michael J. O'Farrell's " Popu-
lar Life of St. Patrick, Apostle and Patron
of Ireland," chap, xiv., p. 200, note.
"''' At the year 870, the lords of the foreigners
are stated to have plundered the men of tlie
Three Plains, and of the Comauns, as far as
Sliabh lUadhma, during the snow of Bridget-
mas. This happened about the 1st of
February, St. Bridget's Day. See Dr.
O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters,"
vol. i., pp. 516, 517, Now, Dr. O'Donovan
states, that these Three Plains of Magh
Airbh, of Magh-Sedna, and of Magh-Tuathat,
were situated in the baronies of Cranaghand
Galmoy, in the county of Kilkenny, as also
in the barony of Upper Ossory, in the
Queen's County. l\I;igh Tuathat, he says, is
at the foot (.f Sliabh Bladhma, nr Slievc
Bloom, lie also states, that the Three
Comauns were three septs seated in the
north of the present county of Kilkenn)'.
See ibid, nil. ^k, 1). To the writer it would
seem the 'I'hree Plains are distinguished from
the Coni.uins in the aunalistic passage re-
ferred to, while other evidences apfjcar to
establish the conclusion, that the Comauns
had not been within any considerable
portion of Kilkenny County, but rather that
they must be sought for mostly — if n<jt
altogether — within the southern limits of the
present Queen's County.
^^^See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. i., pp. 558, 559. This
entry is preceded in Dr. O'Connor's edition
by two tjuotati(Mis, referring to a chief of
Taeighis ; but, Dr. O'Donovan has omitted
them, as being irrelevant to the connection
in which they have been placed.
^^- At the year 931, the death of Cosgrach,
son of Maelochoirghi, Bishop of Teach-
ISlochua (Timahoe), and of the Comauns, is
recorded. See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals
of the J'our Masters," vol. ii., pp. 626, 627.
The name of such a bishcjp does not appear
among the bishops of Seir-kieran, of Aghavoe,
or of Kilkenny ; and, consequently, it dues
not seem that the Comauns should be placed
within the ancient diocese of Ossory, in the
tenth centurv.
PAGAN INCIDENTS OF QUEENS COl'XTV HISTORY. Si
within the present barony of Cullinagh, possibl}' separating Leix proper
of the tenth century from tlie territory of Ui Bairche, along the borders
of which they lay. Besides, the Commons of Fossey was a term applied
very generally in the late century to a large tract of freehold land
(ormerl)' held there in commonage, and lying among the mountains.
CHAPTER V. — -Pagan Incidents of Queen's County History.
In Pagan tunes, among the several allusions to individuals and to old
jilaces, few notices of the territories comprised within the present Queen's
County are to be found in our Irish Annals. Nor can the following,
in reference to particular persons or localities at such remote dates, be
regarded as sufficiently authenticated. According to the Chronology of
tlic Four Masters,^ in the Age of the World 35JO, the plain of Magh-
Reicheat - is stated to have been cleared, during the reign of Irial Faidh
iivvv Ireland." By this, we are to understand, tliat it must have been
pirparcd for ])urposes of cultivation.'^ Durnig the reign of Eithrial,''
\\\u) succeeded hnn, among the plains cleared for cultivation in Ireland
i.-. mrntioned Magh-Gcisille, in Hy-Failge, said to be represented
at presL-nt by Geashill, in the King's County. '^' In tlio pre-historic period,
also, A.M. j54'j, it is related, that a battle was fought at Raeire," thought
to have been the jn-escnt Rearymore,^ where fell Eithrial, son of Irial
and monarch of Ireland, in the twentieth year of his reign. The victor
was Conmhael, son of I'lmer, who succeeded him. a.m. 3550. Among
the plains cleared by Eochaidh Faebhar-glas." or Achaius Foebarglas,
^ou of Conmai.'l, is mentioned Magh-Smeathrach,'^ or ]Mo}' Smethrech,"
' 'I'h' u I Minj'Ut.i'ii 111 IS fwrmcil from lias lullnwc-ii in " .\nnali,-s X'ctcns ct
the S'.pi'.i.i^inl, .ir; ;,.\vM l'\ M. Jiicimc Ndvi 'l\'^,i;mii. nil." This calcuhiUon has
III lu.i i-,li;'"ii ..I i-.'.t '.: .:i^' i^/i)'>>:i(.^<ii. Iiecii ai|i)j'te<l \i,ry closely by Rev. Dr.
svliich [i!,'.- ' •- tli>- 1 )i,!iil;<.- ;it ihc .X^i-- ul Gcoltrcy i\catin|;, Roderick O'Flahert}'
t!io \\\ rhl j.-.;j. 1 !..-.\(.Ai;r, the Cdin- and other inoilerii Irish writers. On the
ji'.it.ili":) I'l the !!• Lr(',\> ii.id imin the general subject of Chronology the reader
(, le.kiinn to tin- l-i'i-;i I'.co ye.irs, and is referred to that most learned work of
tl.i> h.i> b- l:i ( 'ILAiifl by the " .\nnals Pelavius or IVtau, " Opus de Doctrina
o! ("!i,:im.icii'.a-.e." .ui.l by v.trious Irish Tcmjioruni ; " 3 Tomi folio, Antwerp,
la .t>..'!( .d ti.ii is. See Dr. ("harles 1703, bditio no\a. Also, " L'Art de
«>i.;n,:» rt..Ir.;.i!;;iii.i .1 1 .\un.iles, in Wretiei di > I'ates."
" i(<:fu!:i Hibff:iK.iru:n Scnptorcs," ^lle is said to have ruled twenty
I 'rnu^ I . p. h. a:i.l j.p, txwii. lo ..WW. years over Ireland, from a.m. 35JO to
' liy 1';. l.c -rircy Kr.itui^ the date 3540.
\ w i,">'> i» K''^<->. i'» liJi " History ot '' See Dr. O'Donovan's " .\nnals of
ltl»:, J." A:.i rr^-ar.ling M.igli-Keitl- the l-'our M.isters," vol. 1., pp. 30 to 39,
v;.v»Jli, it u jIai"-,; uj La^.i^hib or I.eix. and 11. (!■)■
Ai-A «i.» k. ■;■.■* :i ».■> l.rx Mai.;h Nciliu 111 " Koihiulc ()'rdaherty places his
I irjr.»'.rT.i:)}.:» ti;!ir iJy Dr. O'Doiiovan, nii^n .it a.m. jo''I to jqSi, and states,
It b-».« l,frn idcntiljol with .Morett, .1 th.U K.n ir u.is the name of a hill in
inanif in l!ir I .Uwny <A I'.irtn.ihnu li, Hyl.ilma. See " Ogyi;ia," pars, ii.,
ad)'>ir.i:ig the Gnat Heath of ilary- p. ^o.
liorou.;h. Sec " .\uiiaU uf the l-'mir » Hv Dr. O' Donovan. See " Annals of
.\I.l^t^■r^." \\>\. I., j>p. 34. 3;. and ii. (jd- the bour ^bl^ters," vol. i., pp. 36 to 39,
* He 11 c.died tfic son of biemoiJ, the and n. (r).
Non of Miledh or .Milisius. In.d i.s said to " He is said to have ruled over Ireland
have been King over Irel.md lor ten for twenty ycirs.
ye.irs. 10 This place has not been clearly iden-
• .Xccordini; to the Chronology of titled, nor is it known to have been within
Archbi.-vhop fssher, about .yKX) years the Queen's County portion of Ui-Fail^e.
intervened between tile Creation of the '• See " Ogyf^ia," pars, iii., cap. .xxiv.,
WorKl and th<' LJirlh of Christ. This he p. 205.
G
82
HISTORY OF THE Ol'liEN S COUNTY
in Ui-Failghe, a.m. j'/2yy- Roderick O'FIaherty has his rcigu at a.m.
30S5. A battle is said to have been gained over the jMartini and Ernai
at Moin-Foichnigh,!^ in Ui-Failge, a.m. 4169, by Sirna Saeghlach,i^
son of Dian, and monarch of Ireland. ^-^ Sedna Siothbac,^*^ the forty-
fourth King of Ireland in descent from j\Iilcdh, is said to have built
Dunn Ailhnn. He had thirteen sons,^^ and one among them named
Masg is said to have built, in Ua Crimtliannan, Dunmaisg ^^ — called
after him, and now known as Dunamase. Again, Setnu Sithbacc is
called the father of Ugen Urgnaid.^'^ He had six sons, according to
one account ; viz., Ladru, Noe,-° Finteng,-i Luad, Guar,-- and Alb.
The chronology of Irish history becomes less confused when we arrive
at the opening of the Christian era. The celebrated Boruinha or Tribute
imposed on the Leinster province by Tuathal Tcchtmar, King of Ireland, -^
led to various wars in aftertime ; and, as the ])eople of Leix owed alle-
giance to the Kings of Leinster, they were no douht involved in those
contests, although their race was of Ultonian origin. However, among
the battles ^^ fought l\v the race of Neill against the Leinstermen, who
opposed payment of the Borumean tribute, from the period of Oilioll
Molt's death -^ to the reign of Muircheartach, son of Muireadhach,-'" is
mentioned tlie battle of Dun-RIasc, now Dunamase. There exists a tract,
known as "Duan Eireannach," which was an ancient legendary poem
on the early colonization of Ireland, It was composed, as would seem,
in the ninth century.-'' From this we learn, that ''' The seven Laigse
of Leinster the wealthy " were originally Picts. The bard declares,
that Eri "^ " is full of the race of Ir." He then proceeds to enumerate
12 See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of
the Four Masters," vol. i., pp. 44 to 46,
and n. (1).
13 No such bog is now known bearing
this name in the territory of Offiily.
11 By Rev. Dr. Geoffrey Keating he
is said to have reigned from a.m. 3212
fo 3233. Sec " General History of
Ireland," book i., pp. 171, 172. Duffy's
edition.
IS See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of
the Four Masters," vol. i., pp. 5S, 59,
and n. (g).
1'' This must have been intended for
Seadhna lunarraigh, said to have Ixen
in the sovereignty of Ireland from a.m.
4271 to A..M. 4290. See Dr. O'Donovan's
" Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i.,
pp. 62, 63 and n. (a). The chronology of
Roderick O'FIaherty is from a.m. 3453
to 3467. See " Ogygia," pars, iii., pp.
447. 448.
i'^ Others of them are thus named in
McFirbis's Pedigrees, at p. 186 : Lagra
of Ard Lagrain, now said to be Ard
Latran, or Ardcamhan, at Wexford
Harbour, Nui of Rathnew, in Hy-
Garrchon, Nar of Duunair, Ucha, the
father of Gabhran, a quo Beallach
Gabhrain, and Roigen Ruadh a quo
Magh Roigne in Ossory. See Rev. John
Francis Shearman's " Loca Patriciana,"
No. ii., with the Genealogical Table,
No. I., of the Dal Messingcor Tribe,
and some of the older Feinster
Pedigrees.
1" According to jMaciarbis's Pedigrees,
p. 346. IManuscript in the Royal Irish
Academy, Dublin.
i'-* See the version of the Dintlsenchas,
in the " Book of Leinster," edited by
Robert Atkinson, M.A., LL.D., fol. 162 b.
-" He is said to have given name to
Rath Niii.
21 He is said to have given name to
Dun Finteign.
-- He is said to have given name to
Dun Chuair.
23 He reigned thirty years from a.d.
76 to a.d. 106. See Dr. O'Donovan's
" Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i.,
pp. 98 to lOI.
2* These are noticed in the ancient
historical tale called the Borumha
Laigliean.
2" He was killed in the battle of Ocha.
fought a.d. 482 or 483, according to the
Annals of Ulster.
2" He began to reign a.d. 504, and
his term lasted twenty-four years, until
A.D. 527 ; he was burned in his house
at Cleiteach. See Dr. O'Donovan's
" Annals of the Four Masters," voL i.,
pp. 164 to 177.
27 See the " Irish Version of Nennius,"
edited ,by Dr. Todd and the Hon.
Algernon Herbert, p. 265, n. 9.
-'' The name of Trt_-land.
PAGAN INCIDENTS OF OUFEN'S COUNTY HISTORY,
83
those clans, wliosc d^'^'X^nt is traced from that i^atriarch. Regarding
the name " Ir," it is suj^posed by some to have been purely mythical,
and to have been invented as the name of a pseudo-patriarch of the Irish,
just as " Brito " was said to have been progenitor of the Britons. Other
similarl}^ suppositious ap])ellatives have been assigned to the ]ircsumcd
originators of various nations. There is a poem -^ on the Kings and
Families of Leinstcr descended from Catliair Mor, and his thirty sons,
in the Book of Leinster.so By Edward O'Reilly this has been ascribed
to the famous antiquary John O'Dugan, who died in 1372 ; "^ but it is
evidently older in date, by at least two centuries. The Irish historians
state, that Conall Cearnach^- of the Ultonian Clan Rury family was
chief of the Craebh Ruadh or Red Branch warriors, in Ulster, during
tlic first century of the Christian era.^^ This prince, distinguished for
his valour in several battles, then bore swa\' in that provincial realm.
At this time, however, the men of ]Munster resolved on the invasion of
L' iiistcr, over which ])rovince Cucorb ^* then ruled. The monarch
iM-idlimidlr'"' Rcachtmluu- or Felim the Law-giver was then Ard-Righ.
1 hen also lived a warrior named Eochaidh Fionn Fuathairtj^ii brother
to Conn of the Hundred Battles,^" and to him Cucorb appealed in his
ilistress fur assistance against the invaders.''"^ Complying with his
vntreatit's, Cuct)rb also inomised a grant of lands in return for such
service. ■'■' Ivjchaidh Fionn summoned his friends and allies to muster a
iai'ge nuinlH'r of troops to engage with him in this expedition."-' Now
('MMall Cearnach had two renowned sons, Irial (ihmmhar and LaoiseacJi
( aennior." sometimes written Lannmor. The latter had received his
• ■ducation with I^oeliaidli Fionn,''- and had been in\-ited as a volunteer
lo joii! his Idler-;. Cucorb also rallied to his standard the men of Leinster,
.iiid when all were united, such reliance was placed on the military
:> It ].,..■
I I,.l>., fo!.
J' Sv i
!, .•!■■. i! A...
n-; \vitl> tin- \v. ir.!s
I .M.^cii I'l .Mill c:.-.c.\otn
!,v" Kuinr: .\lkins<,n, M..\.,
!'.>.. irJ (.)'K'i!Iv's "I'lifiino-
-init ut ii'.irlv l-\jur lluiulred
:v" p.
•'■II 'Ir.iNsn in the
.:■ ; .'cir lt"!a Ir. the bun of
IlIjMlH.
: I l:> hivc h.i'l 'onr <litlt
'.•.-.'.•■.x \x : i. \ .\'a\Ak'.t\:
■nt
■■• Hcis -
T\\'\ — l. I - :;::
** AiTtajtuini; to J>r O P riMV.in's
r'i!i .n oi iJjc " Arin.iit of the 1-our
?>EAit'-:-»." ;^i^ in.^:JArch Ikt^mii to roicn
A t». M I., an I he ilic<l A.I>. 119. Stc vil.
i., T'j>. loj, JOJ. However. 1:1 01"l.ih<r:.ys
'■ <JK-»;ia." »t t» Matrt!, tli.it hi- <Iil ivt
cijnu:ieiicc hii rci^;n tmlil A.f. I'-.j. .in 1
It is there s.ii'l his nil-- continuc<l to the
tenth year. viz.. to a.d. 174. Sec pars.
111., cap. Ivi., pp. 306 to 30,S.
^* He haci been banished from Midhe
or M'-.ath by Art, monarch of Ireland,
\s\\o reigned from A.D. 166 to A.D. 195.
Serr Dr. O'Douovan's work, vol. i, pp.
1(j6 ot III.
'^Monarch of Ireland from a.d. 123
to A.n. 157. See Dr. O'Donovan's
" Annals of tlie I'niir Masters," vol. i.,
pp. lOJ to K)5.
^^ See LoaBah 11A 5-ce<\nc the Book of,
l\i'-;hts, edited hy John CyDonovan, Esq.,
M.K.I. A., Bariister-at-I^a\v, jip. 214 21 q,
n. (p.)
^" These lands, afterwards known as
the Fotharta, seem to have been distri-
buted in localities ayiart from each other.
*" l-^ochaid hinn h^iathart took
rcfu.L;e m L( inster, wliere himself and his
descend. mts c.dled Fothart,i, acquired
consider. d)le territories. The liarony of
l-'orth, in the Count v of Cailow, still
let, 11ns its name in the ]iresent modified
lurm, and it \',-.is li)rinerl\- called I'^utharta
(.)>nadhai;^h, fruin its chief church, Cill
Omi.uIIki, now Kellistown, but more
frequently Fotharta Fea, from the plain
of .Ma).h Fea, in which that church was
MUiated. Sec " The Book of Ballymote,"
l<i|. yy b. In like manner, the barcmy of
l-'iirth. in the C\)unty of Wexford, was
one ot their possesions.
*' Ilis mother was Lonncada, and he
is sometimes called Lagisius — .\n!^licized
Lewis — Lannmore. See O'Flaherty's
" ORy^^ia," jiars. iii., cap. xlvii., p. 278.
*- See Rev. Dr. Geoffrey Keating's
" General History of Ireland," book i.,
p. 271. Duffy's edition, 1854. 8vo.
84 HISTORY or thi: queen's count"..
qualifications of Laoiseacli Lannmor, that lie was a]~)pointcd Commander-
in-chief of the whole army. Other accounts Ikwc it. that Lughaidh
Laoighis or Laciseach.-''Uhe great grandson to the celebrated hero Conall
Cearneach, was the chief leader," who procured Leix by his valour ;
yet, his father Lioseach Lannmorc— otherwise Laoighise Cean Mor —
was recognised as head of the famous Leinster tribe, the Ui Mordha or
O'Mores of Leix.'^^ Meantime, the men of ]Munster had advanced so
far as Athtruistean,^'' said to have been a ford near T^Iullaghmast.'^''
As the Leinster forces marched to meet them, the IMimstermen took
up a position on that liill. hioth armies soon engaged, and a bloody battle
was fought with great bravery and determination on both sides, so that
it was difficult to decide for some time who had the advantage. At
length victory inclined to the confederate arm\^ when the ranks of
their enemies were broken, and they were pursued with terrible slaughter
from the top of Maistean to the River Bearl)ha.-'^ This ]ilace is said to
have deri\ed its name from the circumstance of Oi or h'o, the son of
Dergabal, a Leinster hero, having been there slain. Tlu' memory of
this event caused it to be perpetuated in the etxiuon Ath-0i-I5erbha.
" Oi's ford on the Barrow." Animated by that success, the Lagenians
continued the pursuit. A strong body of tlie enemy having rallied,
drew up in order at Cainthine on ]\Iagh Riada ; but the victors fell upon
them with fury and again put them to liight. Afterwaixls, they were
pursued to Slighe Dala, or Ballaghmore in Ossory, where the forces of
Leinster made such a dreadful slaughter of the Momonians, that few
escaped destruction. This series of victories settled the state of Leinster,
and so discouraged the men of Munster, that they ne\'er attempted
subsequently to enlarge their boundaries, but were glad to conline
tliemseb'es within their own territories. Being thus restored to his
dominions through the assistance obtained from T"^ocliaidh Fionn,
Cucorb out oi gratitude bestowed on him the seven Fothortuaths, and
confirmed this donation in jieri^etuity to his ]:)Osterity.-'''' According to
an ancient Tract,''" it was Cucorb's queen, Meadhbh, that divided the
Loigsi and the Fotharta into seven divisions respectively, as she did not
desire those tribes to be united, so that their power against the King ol
Leinster might be weaker. Her strength and influence over the men
of Frin were very great ;''^ and we are informed that she would not
■•■' Among the Genealogies of the referred to the transhuion by Mac
Leinsternien or people of Laigin, tJie Geoghegan of the Annals of Clonmac
genealogies of the tribes of Leix may be noise, at the reign of l-Y'lym Reghtwar,
found, in " Tlie Book of Leinster," some- and to Keating's "General History of
time called the Book of Glendalougli, Irehind," at the reign of Cormac Mac Art.
edited by Robert Atkinson, M.A., LL.D., or tlic bardic account of this acquisition
iSrc, fol. 31S. This most interesting of of the territory.
Irish Codices has been published in ^^ According to Keating, this battle
elephant folio, Dublin, iSSo. was fought at Athtrodam, which he
^*See I.ady Ferguson's "Story of identilies as the present Athy on the
Ireland beiorc the Conquest," chayj. iii.. River Barmw.
p. III. Dublin, iSoo ; second edition, S\o. -I'J See Lady l'\Tguson's "Story of
''■'■' See Jdhn llogan's " St. Ciaran, Ireland belore tlie Coucpiest," chap, in..
Patron of Ossory ; a Memoir of his Bile p. iii.
and Times." ]iart ii., cha]). iv., pp. 57, 5S. ^'^ Beginning UIacc 1"no5A-Conl)b celAp
*'"' On the Iviver Griese, now written Clu in "The Book ol Lem,-.ter," at
Greece. fol. 44.
*" See O'Donovan's " leAb.\n nA ^^ See Professor Eugene O'Curry's
jj-CcAiic, or Book of Rights," p. 215, and " Lectures on the Manuscript IMaterials.
" Annals of the Four Masters," vol. iii., of Ancient Irish History," appendix ii.
pp. 105, iu6, n. (f). The reader is also p. 480.
PAGAN INCIDENTS OF QUEEN S COUNTY HISTORY. ' 85
pennil any king in Teamair or Tara withont liis liavin;- lursi'lf for wifc.''-
Stiil,,isit wasacknowledt^cd, tliat the success ot tlie exjieclition was chieHy
owing to the valour and skill of the general whose military ex])erience
gave him such advantages over the enemy, an extensive territory was
l)estowed on him as a reward for that assistance he afforded in ex])elling
the men of Munster, who had invaded and seized on Leinster. Froin
him it derived the subsequent denomination of Laoighis, usually
Anglicized Leix and pronounced Lease. Whatever ma3' have been its
original extent, this territory, in its later inde])endent existence, com-
prised the eastern and southern baronies of the ]:)resent Queen's County,
wliile it excluded those of Upperwoods, Clarmallagh, Claiidonagh, Port-
iKihinch, and Tinnahinch.''^ At the earliest period of its organisation,
its boundaries were more enlarged in a direction extending westwards,
while they changed at different times. I\'Ioreo\'er, this concession was to
be enjoyed for ever by Laoiseach Lannmor and his heirs, with the title
of Kings of Leise or Leix, and certain other pri\'ileges and dignities,''^
which were to receive a return in fealt^' and service to the Kings of
Leinster.^^
We have no means for ascertaining the original boundaries of Leix as
these had been fixed in the time of Lughaidh Laoghseach, and conjecture
has b(-en emjiloyed in vain to detine its exact extent and area. I'erhaj).-,
■'■- SIk' is sniil to have erected tlie his ]i1;ice nt all puMic assemblies and
Ktiyal Kath by the side of Teniair, enttTtainmenls in tlie loiirth di^'^ree,
kniivMi as Kaith IMeidhbhe or ]\Iaeve's only three being adniittetl to sit above
iuitli. Within that rath she built a him nearer the King. He was to enjoy
hmi-^e, in which kings and the chief the chief ollice in the treasury, and to
masters of every art nsed to assemble. distribute the King's bounty to tlie
'"■' According to Sir Charles Coote, the chiefs, the anti(iuaries, the poets, the
whide of the present Queen's County musicians, and to those learned in the
was originally called Leix territory. Ko arts and professions, whose abihties
iionbt, howe\-er, nearh' all, or the vastly entitled them to a reward. It was
gre.itii I'.irt, ot that shire, at one ])enotl regulated, that whatever presents or
or <.tln 1 , was included within the domin- acknowledgments were sent to the King
i..ns ..f 1.1 i\. 'I'he same authority most sh(Hild pass through his iiands. It was
m> • irei !l\- st.itrs, that aliout the close further decreed, that seven of the Leix
<il ilu- -i\th cMitiiry I. fix had its name royal family should constantly attend
-• .,cit.viid\- 111. I Imi ihr iii,-,t tiiiir — and on the Leinster J-iing's ]ierson as a lixi.'il
\\.\l n v..i^ th'U .dl tliiinh lands. See bod\'-guard, lor wliich service they were
i.!-. '■ >!.i'.:> e, il Survey nl the (Jueen's to be lionourably maintained at the
(..:ii.!\." chi>. VI., sec. 4., ]•>. oj. charge of the Leinster Crown. Seethe
li* .■..;.': 1 I . !,iv- H .il SI lH)(iIm,i-,trr, who Kev. Dr. Geollrey Keatnig's "C.eneral
hv<! s!s \:!.\ ■ .iiid (.u-neial \'.i!lancey, History of Ireland," JCeign of Cormac
^rr li. ...,:.: tu h.ive led Sir Charles I'lfada, .v.D. 2 1 3, jiji. jjc; to 372. Duhy's
i^''.<- a->::.v\. wh'ti d'.nning the buun- edition.
i1.'.:;<-» <! .ii.irjit l.<i\. ^' 'Ihe King of Leix was bound to
'• Jt v..>.> l:^t.lb!l-!.• d bv dei ree. m, lint. iin at his o\vn expense one hundred
th.il ihc KissK* <•*• I':\. m uiemury <if and iiliv stout soldier.--, to serve in the
ihr M-r\-»c<r% rc<fjved l.-w-n Lam^iaeli Kirg <>t 1. cluster's army. Those were
I^mum r. should !;.ivr .1 )u>{ tl.iini lur boi nd to execute the most diilicult and
t vrr l(> .1 iirl'iiii of c\iry 1 < ex e th.it was ilanuerous commands; to force the
kdlid in the r<>\,il .Nl.r.uhttrdKaise fcjr enemy's lines though with tlie utmost
ih'- ir.c o( the LcuiMcr K:!U-s ; ih.it iwu- h.t/.trd ; to be.tt them out of their
of ihf f;.dlt .^d.iclis or rtciiver.s of the ipKirters, and to distinguish themselves
Lfln^tcr King .nIiouUI attcn<l in his court in the hottest part of the battle. He had
v.tth a salary allowe<i to supervise and the ]irivilege to lead the van in the army
I'lllcct such tribute for tlie King of Leix. of Leinster, when entering an enemy's
Moreover, it was ord.iiiud, that the country, and to holil in battle the ^rrtr;/a
Kin.g of I civ f< r tie time being should Imc^hnil or " gap of danger." See Lady
I e allowed a place at the council-board I-"er^^Ubon's " Story of Ireland before the
of th.e Leinster King, and should take Conipiest," /;han. iii., p. 112.
86 HISTORY OF THE QUEEN's COUNTV. ,
the nearest approach to that jiroblcm might be a supposition, that the
River Barrow from near its source among the Slieve j^loom ^Mountains
formed the northern boundary and thence drew its increasing course on
the eastern side towards the south, until it received the River Douglas,
or perchance the Fishoge River, a little below the present site of Carlow.
Thence, an irregular line, over the summits of the Slievemargue range
of mountains towards the River Xore, and along the upper waters of
its course to the Slieve Bloom I\Iountains, formed the southern and
south-western boundary of Lcix,^" in all probability ; while the highest
crests of the Slieve Bloom Mountains were undoubtedly the separating
features of its division from the territory of hLly O'Carroll. By some
the old barony of Upper Ossory bounds have been excluded altogether
from Leix ; ^' but, suflicient historic evidence i"emains to prove, that the
Ossorians made inroads on the Leixians' ancient i)ossessions, centuries
after their earliest foi"ination, and thus contracted the territory, at least
towards the north and west, in subsequent ages. It is related, that the
first division of Leix was four-partite ; and that Lug Laisach had it
divided into Dubh-Laighis, Tulach Breogain, Laighis-Lethnada and
Fuinncle-Laighis.^^ Were this even so, at the present time, it is im-
possible to define their respective limits. It is related also, that Cucorb was
killed in a battle fought in the second century, somewhere in Leinster,''-*
but probably at the mountain called Sliabh Suidhe Chonchorb^"'*^ —
otherwise Sliabh Uighe Chonchorb''^ — where he was buried. Fcidh-
limidh Rechtmhar is said to have been his slayer ; but of the battle
itself our Annals preserve no account.*^- His wife Meave bears a very
bad character. She is said to have given poison-drink to Lugaid Laigse,
son of Laigseach Cendmore, and to have eloped from her husband,
Cucorb, with the man who aftenvards slew liini.'''^
Thus, according to the bardic accounts, the Ua-Laeighis formed a
tribe, which gave denomination to the country of Laeighis, Laeis, or Leix.
These people are said to have descended from Laeighseach, or Lewis
Ceannmhor, who was the son of Conall Cearnach.'^'^ As in most of the
t^* Thus, in the sixth century, the 6° The former name of Mount Lcinster,
Dynast of Leix bestowed the site of between the counties of Carlow and
Clonfert I\h-)hia, a httle north of the Xore, Wexford, and also called Suidhe
on St. jMohui, in the sixth ccntnrv ; Lai^hen, interpreted " the seat of
while Mena Drochit, on the River Men, the Leinster people." Professor O'Curry
is placed within Leix, by the commen- thinks it may be identical with Shabh
tator on the Calendar of St. ^'Lngus, as Suidhe Chonchorb. >
found in the Book of Lecain. See ''^ Literpreted " the IVIountain of
" Transactions of the Royal Trisli Concorb's Fate " or " Death."
Academy." Irish Manuscript Series, vol. ^- See Professor Eugene O'Curry's
i.. part 1., on the Calendar of Oengus, "Lectures on the Manuscript Materials
by Wliitley Stokes, LL.D., p. cxlvi. of Ancient Irish History," appendix ii.,
^'' See John's Hogan's " St. Ciaran, p. 480.
Patron of Ossory : a Memoir of his Life ^''-^ She is said, however, to have
and Times," part ii., chap, iv., p. 5S. composed some elegiac and eulogistic
58 Three other divisions are also stanzas in Irish on the death of her
named, according to the Rev. Patrick husband, Cucorb, at Raith Maidhbhe,
M'Loughlin's " Epitome of the Leabhar and which are to be found in " The
Lecain," p. 156. Book of Leiiister," fol. 44. That poem
^'■^ According to the Rev. John Francis was composed at the setting up of the
Shearman, Cucorb was slain at Cliu, stone which was over the grave of
at rhe base of Mount Leinster, which Cuchorb at Sliabh Uidhe Chonchorb.
is crowned with a sepulchral chair, "■* This ascribed descent from a hero
that probably marks the grave of who nourished in the first century,
the Toparch. See " Loca Patriciana," was always a matter of family belief
No. viii.. p. 143, n. 2. among the O'lMnores.
PAGAN INCIDENTS OF QUEEN S COUNTY HISTORY.
87
tribal traditions of Ireland, their origin and authenticity are uncertain ;
and as the family pedigrees — especially in the more remote times — are
confused, unchronological, and sometimes apparently irreconcilable ; so
must we premise, that the following attempt in reference to our par-
ticular branch of enquiry should be received with some distrust, as many
of the names given do not appear in our Annals that are accessible. Yet,
proceeding according to the order of pedigree in the kings of Leix, we are
informed, that Lug or Lugha-Laoghscach or Lugaid Laighse, already
mentioned, had a son named Lug or Lugha-Longach. He flourished
towards the close of the first or beginning of the second century of the
Christian era. He, too, was regarded as a common ancestor of the seven
tribes that branched from him and from the Archon who in course of ages
was named More or 0'I\Ioore. The genealogy of Laigis Laigean, from
Lugaid Laighscach, son of Conal Cearnach, of Ultoman origin, is given
in the I:5ouk of Lecain, a manuscript belonging to the Royal Irish
Acadcmy.^^ There seems to be a gaj) in the line of Leixian succession
as preserved for us by the genealogists ; for we cannot accept the
statement, that Luglia-Longach was the immediate progenitor of a son,
who, by some it is said, flourished in the fifth century. However, we are
tnld, that the foregoing Lugha-Longach had a son named Baccan, who
was renowned in his day. But it is likely, the acts qf a later Baccan in
succession have been attributed to lum. A Baccan seems to have
nourished in the time of St. Patrick; lor when the Irish Apostle passed
through this part ot Leix on his way to Ossory, a work was in course of
ciertioii. near which the Church of Donuiachmore afterwards stood.
Tiiib Baccan, it is said, built the Fort of RatliTjacain,*^'^ in Magh-Reda,
and its ioundations were being laid at tliat period. St. Patrick
riideavoiireil to di>-n;i(le the king and ])eu]jle from erecting that
hlructure as inttiwlrd lor tlic royal residence. Tlie legend relates, that
in the spirit oi i>i(jp:u e\ the Irish Apostle declared an evil s])irit should
h.iimi It.'' It app•.ll^ piobable, that Bacc;i,n lived and died a pagan.
1 h'' e II hi r b'.u i\iii h.i 1 a son. who is called K:\vc or Eric, and he had a
viu n. lined Cjuaire. Ine son of (luau'c is called Eoghan or Uwen. Eoghan
« I a!) -: O'KtIiy. chi'-i of the Collo^e
tit I • Ui\ ..:At II! r.ui . jri'Oircd the
l.-'-Al'Jt.o: I.r.i. .in lor v;<- oi tlie Kev.
raUi<:Vi M l.<.i:.-.'.ha, <>i Iniihoucn, who
*<x» J\»:: .;.:Nr',; !.y icvcr.il disuilKuishcd
€.;liir;» t! {he Iriih lUu:.i'Ic. Oi this
l*" t:iiii'3 a tiiK'-st. r.iiliT ih.an a traiis-
Ustiin. A1.I tl.i» t:..l!•.;l^^ ri[)t is now
Inrvrivc"! i:\ tJ.c Koy.ii linh Ac.idcmy.
►i»Mii>. cl.^.^^c'J ;-t C 13-3-4, cat. p. 18.
NVc h.wc no d.i'.c lift us to a-^ct-rtain
wliru tins K)a!Ui*.<rij''. had Ix-cii com-
piled, but It \\.is fjf..:- tin;<- in the
cu'litccnth ct-ntury. After ttus Wcrk
h.id ben i.jiupli-tcd, l-"athir Ml-ouKhhn
rctiirncd to Jnland, and he waa I'.iii^h
I'ncbt in Ini^houen. He was ollcred
t!ie Irish Profesborbliij) in the College
of Maynocith, but he would not accept
of it. Note by Jnhn O'Donovan,
dated January 27, 1S35, and prcnxed
to this manuscript.
•' At i^resent, tJure is no place bear-
irn^ this name about Morett in the
Queen's County ; but, there are several
large l\aths to be found in the lands
adjoinin,^'. Magh-Rccliet or j\Ia,i;h-
iviada was in Oilaly, according to the
Prefa.ce of the Feilire-Aengus ; 5'et,
in the earlier ceuturii's, it seems to
have been m the principality of Leix.
lb.wc\cr, lioth statements are perfectly
reconc ilable ; since the plain of i\Iorett
took m the boundar\- line between
ancient Olfaly and Leix, while it
formed a part of both territories.
"' Tlu- acce)unt as given in Colgan's
" Trias Thaumaturga," adds : " nisi
singulis dielnis Missa' in ea celcbretur
oUicium nee ab ullo inhabitabitur
donee ventus u.b inlerno exortus ad-
veniet." lie alluded to Goithan
the son of Kmaid, who, while Fedhh-
mid and Conchovar ruled at Tara
restored that fortress. For, according to
the Irish word, Goithin means " windy"
or " stormy." See " Se[)tima Vita, S.
Patncii," 111), iii., cap. xxvi., j). 155.
88 HISTORY OF THE QUEEN 's COl'NTY.
«
liad a son named Lu^;;iia. Lupia's son is called Canrc. It is also stated,
that Lugna, son of Eogan, and the sixth descendant Ironi Laigsech, hacl
seven sons, to whom he distribnted his fcariUi, or land. To the three
eldest — Ruadan, Garban and Colum — he gave Rath Ruadan, Rath
Coluim, Ceall Mcthne, and Ard mbruchais.'''' The fourth, Nise, had
Bile methis and Cluain mac Nis. The fifth, Laignech, from whom
O'Baith and O'Brocam, had Loch Lainig and Cluain Conaid. Ere, the
sixth, from whom O'Diamrain, O'ForandIa and O'Cormac, had as a
fearan Teach Declain, Domnach finchon and Cealbothar, and Cluain da
fiach, and Cluain Dartada, and the estates of OT'oranla.*^'' Cuirc, the
son of Lugna, we are told, had a son named Cormac. Cormac had a son
called Carthann. The son of Carthann is named Seirbealagh. Seir-
bealagh was lather of Bearrach. He is also called Barr, and he is said to
have been the first Christian King of Leix. From this latter ancestor,
the O'Moores were denominated the Sil-Bearaigh, or the people of
Bearrach.
The author of the " Duan Eireannach " mentions, among other
descendants of " L-," those seven se]->ts who inhabited I^eix, or
" Laigse of Leinster." According to a note, by the editor of the poem,
this tribe comprised the seven septs, bearing this name, which agreeably
to tradition, after the establishment of surnames, were denominated the
O'Mores or O'Moores,"" CTvellys, O'Lalors, O'Devoys,* or O'Deevys,
MacEvoys, O'Dorans, and O'Dowlings.^i Their descendants are still
ver}^ numerous in and adjoining the Queen's County. Their heptipartite
condition is thought to form a strong proof, establishing their Pictish
origin. This is likewise affirmed, by a paragraph in the Book of Lecan.'-
This account enumerates " the seven Laighsi " among " the Cruithnians
of Eri," who are synonymous with the Picts. Some writers believe,
that these people retained their appellation of Picts, because thej^ con-
tinued a practice wliich had originally caused their race to be known by
such name. A continuance of painting their bodies probabl}^ distinguished
them from other tribes of Celtic race. Besides the Leix heptarchy,
among the Cruithnian caste, " The seven Soghans," are enumerated.'^
A tribe, inhabiting part of Mcath and Connaught, the Ualaraid, or
aborigines of Ulster, the Conailli, and numerous other clans in the five
j^rovmces, are mentioned. Like this tmder view, the last named tribe
sprung from that hero of romance, Conall Cearnach. In order to conceal
the Pictish extraction of those clans, it is thought an unworthy device
was resorted to by Gaelic genealogists. They appear to have been
unaware, that the words Pictish and British are synonymous, while they
fancied, that some disgrace attached to the British origin of Irish families.
'^^ At present, it beems impossible is to be fuuiul, An Account of the
to identify those places. Settlement of Lei.x, at p. 933 ; the
'''■> According to the Rev, Patrick Genealogies and l^edigrees of Leix, at p.
McLoughlin's " Summary of the 947 ; the History of Magli Leige,
Leabhar Lecain," p. 156. or Plain of Leix, Queen's County, at
■"J This chief family of Leix is said p. 1019 ; and the History and Genea-
to have taken its surname Ivoiw Alordh, logics of Families of I-eix, at p. 1075.
i.e., " the great " or " big." A peiligree These refer to tlie original documents
of the O'Moores is to be found among on the subject matter in the "Book
the MSS. belonging to the Royal of Lecain."
Irish Academy. See Lu-cne O'Curry's ■- See the " Irisii W'rsiou of Nenuius."
Catalogue, Vol. i., \\ _'0 ^ " Additional notis p. Ixxui.
'1 In Eugene O'Curry's "Catalogue, " Ol these, llie M.igenis clan was
Descriptive of Irish .MSS. lielonging most renowned in Liter limes,
to the Roval Irish Acadeinv," \'ol. iii., '^ See an a.linirable paper writter,
PAGAN INCIDENTS OF QUEEN's COUNTY HISTORY. 89
Therefore, tiiey particularize a certain woman named " Loinccadlia."
Her they feigned to have been daughter to a Caledonian Pict, and to
have been espoused by several patriarchs. From such a circumstance,
those perverters of history stated, that their offspring were called
Cruithnians." '
by Herb'jr I'\ llore, Esq. "Notes on a Museum." It was published in "The
Facsimile of an Ancient Map cif Leix, Journal of the Kilkenny and South-
Olaly, Irry, Clanmalier, Ire-an, and East of Ireland Arch.rolooical Society,"
Slievemuiyy, preserved in the ijrilish Vol. iv., new series, pp. 349, 350.
f)0 HISTORY OF THE QUEEN S COUKTY.
BOOK III-ECCLESIASTICAL, DIOCESAN
AND PAROCHIAL HISTORY.
CHAPTER I. — Early Bishops and Sees within the Queen's County,
AND Subsequent Ecclesiastical Distributions.
At an early period after the introduction of Christianity, St. Patrick
IS related to have sought the territory of Leix for the conversion of its
pagan inhabitants. In the Latin Lives of that saint, ^ there is a confused
narrative of his journey thither, after he had engaged on his Leinster
Mission and visited Naas,- about the middle of the hfth centur3^3 fhe
people, however, were addicted to their Gentile superstitions, and are
related to have -at first resisted his entrance there, and to have even
formed a plot against the saint and his disciples destined for their des-
truction.^ This account, however, is largely blended with fable. Nor
would it seem very certain that the Irish Apostle, although it might
have been his original purpose to visit Leix, ever set foot upon its ancient
territory. It seems to be more credible, that immediately after leaving
Naas, St. Patrick went to visit his former friend, Dubhtach Mac Ui-
Lugair, the arch-poet of King Laeghire, who had been present when
he preached at Tara, and who had been already baptised. Dubhtach
then resided at Domhnach Mor,^ of IMagh-Criathar, in Ui-Cinnselaigh.
The King of this district at the time was Crnnthann, who received the
saint and Iiis discii)les most willingly, and he became a zealous convert
to Christianity. L'nder the patronage of Crim.thann which extended
to Slieve Mairge, St. Patrick was enabled to establish a church and
congregation at Sletty,® over which he placed St. Fiach.'' We are told,
that seven of St. Patrick's disciples were left with Fiadi.^ These were
all men of distinction in the Calendars of the early Irish Church — viz.,
* See Colgan's " Trias Thanma- not only blessed herself, her father,
turqa." Septima Vita S. Patricii, and her brotlicrs, but likewise all the
Pars, iii., cap. xix., xx., p. 152. tribe of Ui-Ercain, and he said they
- Then said to have been the seat should never be without distinguished
of Leinster's King. laics and clerics.
3 See this subject more fully treated ^ In the " Leabhar na g-Ceart," or
in " Lives of the Irish Saints." by the " Book of Rights," Dr. O'Donovan
author. Vol. iii. March, xvii. Life of places Domhnach Mor near Sletty,
St. Patrick, Apostle and chief Patron m Ui-Cinnselaigh, p. 208.
of Ireland, chap, xviii., pp. 689 to * About two miles north of Carlow,
697. and on the western bank of the River
■* The story runs, that water-pits L)arr<^\v.
had been prepared by the sons of 'His feast is kept on the 12th of
Laighis on the road leading to their October. See his acts in the author's
territory. It is stated, that Brig, " Lives of the Irish Saints," Vol. x.,
the daughter of Fcrgnad, son of Cobtach, October xii. Life of St. Fiach.
had reported to the saint the male- ** See more on this subject, in Rev.
volence of those youths. She belonged John Francis Shearman's " Loca
to the Ui-Ercain tribe, which seems Patriciana," No. V., Dubhtach Mac
to have been seated in the .south of Ui Lugair, and his Sons, p. 76 to p.
the present County of Kildare. Patrick, 90.
EAKI.V PJSHOPS, SEES, AND ECCLESIASTICAL DISTRIBUTIONS. gi
St. ]\Iochatoc, of Inisfail, — thought to be not different from Cadoc,
who is honoured as an Apostle in Wales and Britanny ; St. Augustin
of Inis-Bec, who was one of Palladius' companions ; St. Tecan who
is venerated on the gth of Se]:)tember ; St. Diarmait, on the loth o*'
January ; St. Nainnid or Nennidh, who was surnamed the jMU'e-handed,
and who administered the Holy Viaticum to St. Biigid ; Paul, who is
said to have retired to a desert island, where St. Brendan afterwards
visited him ; while Feidilmidh was venerated as the patron of Kilmore,
where his feast is kept on the gth of August.^ Again, we hnd an account
of St. Patrick having visited Magh-I^eta ^^ or Magh-Reicheat — supposed
to have been identical with Morett, near the Great Heath of ^Maryborough —
and wliere the people of that district had laid the foundations of a royal
fort called Rath-Bacain, but of which no traces have been found. In
after time, it is stated, that the church of Domnachmore or the great
ehurcli had been there erected. On leaving Laoighis and on his way
to iMunster, St. Patrick is said to have ])assed through the territory of
li-Duach. In his acts, there is but a scanty account of the success
that attended his preaching and labours within the Queen's Comity.
NrW'rtlieless, the Christian religion was early established there, by other
missionaries ; but to enter upon details of its rise and progress must
be referred to the accounts given of its various localities.
Within the limits of the present Queen's County in the early Christian
ages, there seem to have been several sees or i)laces where bisho]is,i* —
whom we may chiefly regard as Chore-episco])i '- — had been stationed,
and who have been mentioned as bishops in the Irish annals.'^ Among
those placus mav be enumerated Sleibte or Sletty, Teach ]\Iochua or
Timahoi-, Achadh-boe or Aghaboe, Coollxmagher, and Rath na n-Epscop
or Ratha^pick. Their boimds and the nature of the jurisdiction
cxcrei^fd :\\v left in ohscuntw but where and when our records refer
to them, th(,-\' ^hall be treated undur the several j^arochial divisions
that were sul -<-,|nenllv formed. In the year a.d. nil, when the
Svnnd of I'alh mil- AenL;hu^a " had l)ei,'n convened during the reign
of Miiii. h' in.f. h >hir O'Brian ^^ over Ireland, and afterwards wlien
a gi-neial Ssiicd ,.[ the Iri>!i ]irelates and clergy had been assembled.
A I). iii>. at K.itli r.iesail,'" the bishojis and sees in Leix acknowledged
th'- .\:«hb;-!i"p ol Ca^hel for Metro})t)litan. Then the numerous sinaU
''-'■•■ Mr-. M. V. C"i!«.uk's "Life of subileacons, and conjointly with the
>•.. l'.i;:i fc A;- ■>:!'.• i.f li'.-lan<L" Cliap. dioccsaa bishop confer deaconship and
ji.. 5';>. .;'•. :,-. a'.'.\ pp. 462, 40;. the priesthood. AIL of those chore-
•* l-'r.'fi x\.:^ .1-11 -:uiii.itiun has been cjnscopi, however, had not recei\-ed
dcrivtvl t!.c dui-iia of Laoitjhis-Kela, episcopal consecration, luit tliey had
rxt<-ii!i:;/ a.-..;:i:vi t':..- Kwck of only some degree of jurisdicticjn over
Diiii.iT;;.isc. oihiT llri^■^,ts. See L'Abbc Bcrgier's
»' Ihcir nti!:d><*r .e.-.d the cp.i-i.ipal *' nictionn.iire de Thcologie," Tome i.,
iwrcs fstablishrd in lr<!.i:;d durini^ the C/jjrj'fi^/Kt;, pp. 412, 41 3, Lille, 1844, Svo.
lifc-timc of St. r.itrutk cannot now be '^ .\ccordinf^ to Dr. Lanigan the
satisfactordy detcrniMu-d. Aftir his Irish had only this name for Bishops
death, the opiscop.d ^f•<•s wcrt- at and Chorepiscoj:)!. See " Ecclesiastical
(liferent pirin^'s aiumentrd in nundrr. History of Ireland," Vol. ii., chap, xi..
See Rev. P. J. C.arcw's " l•:l-cU•^ia^tical suct. ix., n. 104. P- i-9-
History of Irelaml," chaji. iv., p. i _•■>. '♦ This is said to have been a place
'2 Tiiis title was forim-rly nud-rred near the Hill of Uisneach, County of
on priests, who exercised sutiu' episcopal Wistnieath.
functions in districts and vill.e^es, and '^ tin-at grandson to the celebrated
who were regardeil as vicars of the Monarch Hrian Boroimhe.
bishop. Some of them r.nild ortlain '" The site of this place has not been
clergy in the minor orders an-i as identilied.
92
HISTORY OF THE OUEEX S COUNTY.
sees,^'^ wliich had i^reviously existed in Ireland, wcie rcMluccd in number
to twentv-six. rearranged and consolidated. ^"^ W'c learn in a j^eneral
way, that a diocese of which Kilkenny became the hiMd. i-eaehed from
Sliabh Bladma or Slicve 13Iooni to Miledach or W'aUrUjrd Ilailwur,
and from Grian Arib or C^reane in Crannayh baron\', County Ivillcenuy,
to Sliabh Margi or vSlicve l\bu"gy in the southern part of the Queen's
County ; another diocese of which Leighlin was the head reached from
Sliabh Bladma to Sliabh Uighe of Leinster, from Sliabh Alargi to Belach
Carerach, and from Belach Mughna or Ballaghmoon to Tigh 3.Ioling
or St. INIullin's, m the Countv of Carlow and its Termons ; another diocese
of which Kildare was the head extended from Ros Finn-glasi or Rose-
nallis to Nas or Xaas of Leinster, and from Naas to the Cumei- of Clonard
on the southern borders of ancient ]\Ieath. But \'/lien a Synod under
the Papal Legate Cardinal Baparo had been held at Kells m 1152,
a new arrangenient of the Irish dioceses took pku-e, and it was decreed,
that the number of sees should be ]M"operl\- designated and lixed at
thirty-eight. At present, within the Queen's Countv there are fifty
])arishes, or parts of parishes ; and of these se\'en ]xii"ishes belong to
the Diocese of Kildare ; twenty-seven belong to the Diocese of Leighlin ;
fourteen belong to the Diocese of Ossoi-y ; one parish I)elongs to the
Diocese of Killaloc ; and part of one ]iarish belongs to the Diocese of
Dublin.^'' As the chief dioceses, that cover the extent* of the Queen's
County since that period, are Kildare, Leighlin, and Ossory ; before
treating of the parishes and tlieir churches, we shall commence with
the succession of bishops that ruled over them, so far as can be traced
from the Irish annals and archives.
The Queen's County is estimated to contam, so far as the suffragan
See of Kildare is concerned, about 49,000 acres of it ; the suh'ragan
See of Leighlin extended over 122,000 — by far the largest division ; '-'" while
the suffragan See of Ossory extended over 60,000 acres of its soil.-^
The County contains about 600 acres, lying within the IMetropolitan
Diocese of Dublin ; and lil:e\vise the parish of Kyle, which belongs to
the Diocese of Killaloe.
I'' In Iiis Vita Sancti ]\Ialaihi,i-,
St. Bernard complains in the sU'on'^L'St
terms of the inconvenience that re-
sulted from the extraordinary number
of ecclesiastics who in his time exercised
the functions of bishops in Ireland. See
cap. X., col. O73. " Opera Omnia,"
Vol. i. Editio Johannis Mabillon,
I'arisiis, 1719, iol.
11^ The princi]:)al affairs enacted in
this Synod were related in the " I3ook
of Clonena.Ljh," to which the Rev.
Geoilry locating had access, but which
has been unfortunately lost.
19 See Kiv. Dr. Daniel AuLjustus
Beaufort's " Memoir of a Map of Ireland,
illustrating the To]iop;raphy ol that
Kingdom, antl containing a short
account of its present State, Civil
and Ecclesiastical," p. 59, Dublin, 1792,
4to. The linely-engraved and coloured
map accompanying, mounted on linen,
and folded in a case, shows the respective
boundaries of all the Irish Counties,
Baronies, and Dioceses at that time.
2" Thr diocese of LeiLjlilin is of a
very irregular form, \'arying Irom
eight to sixteen English miles in breadth,
and extentling fifty in length. Its
estimateil superlicies amounts to
318,900 acres, comprehending the entire
of Carlow County, a very considerable
portion — more than half — of the
Oueen's County, aii«l smjil portions
of the counties of Kilkenny and
Wick low.
-1 According to the statement in
Rev. John C. Erclc's " Ecclesiastical
Register," containing the names of
the Dignitaries and i\irochial Clergy
of Irelaml ; as also of their Parishes,
and their rcsj^ective Patrons, ami an
Account of monies granted for building
Churches and Glebe-Houses, with
iilcclesiastical .\nnals, annexed to each
Diocese ; and Appendi.xes, among other
things several cases of "Quaie Im-
pedit." Edited under the sanction of
the Board of First Fruits, Dublin, 1827,
Svo.
THE OUEKX'S COUNTY PORTION' OF KILDAKE 'DIOCESE. QJ
CHAPTER II. — The Queen's County Portion of Kildare Diocese.
The Diocese of Kildare is about forty-six I^n^lish miles in length, and
twenty-nine in breadth. It contains an esliniated superi'icies of 332,200
acres. 1 The See had been formerly in the town of Kildare, and attached
to the Cathedral were seventy-two acres and three roods of episcopal
mcnsal lands, and three acres adjoined the Cathedral precincts. ^ These
latter were denominated the palace ; but for a long period no episcopal
residence stood there. Pre\'iously to the restraining statute for tithes,
the Protestant Bisho}) Craik had alienated tlie see-lands ; and so small
was the income of the Protestant Bishops of Kildare, that they were
[)crmittcd to hold other i^referments with this See. The constitution
of their chapter was singular. It consisted of a Dean, PrecenU)r,
Chancellor, Treasurer, and four Canons, who had no more distinctive
titles than those of first, second, third, and fourth. The deanery was
elective, and no other person than one of the Canons was eligible for
that office. The Archdeacon and eight Prebendaries had a voice in
the election of a Dean ; \et, they formed no constituent part of the
Chapter.-^ The Queen's County parishes of Kildare Diocese are situated
within the Baronies of Tinnahinch and of Portnahincla. Those parishes
are Rosenalis, Rervmore. Kilmanman, Castlebrack, Lea, Ardee, Cool-
banagher, and Clonaslec' At a very early period after the introduction
of Christianitv, there was a bishop who seems to have had a residence
in the tenitorv around Kildare. even before a religious establishment
had \)K.'vn formed there f^y St. Brigid,^ its first Al)l)ess. The Red Book
of the \vdv\ ol Kildare has it, that one Lony or Lonius was the first
bishop of the See ; and this too is stated. b\' Richard Stanihurst,*^ but
(111 ihr >anic aiithorilw 1 Ii-^ jieriod and liii acts, however, are alike un-
known.' 1 lir li-t <jt Kildait' liisliops given b\' Stanihurst is quite
ii:<'onip'ictr ; but I'loli.dily, it was the fullest that he was enabled to
hn ni^li.
'1 he second liishoj) of Kildare, in like manner, is said to have been
' Ale i!.:ii.; to t'p- r.i:!i,iin';iit,ny Scuilaiulc. an.l Irolaiuk'." This inter-
Ktiuiii-, 1 : '.'■\, ]>. I^'•. c^tiiiL; work Nvas first ])ulilishcd iu 1577,
• A".' . I':::;.; r • '.he l<.''-;.:i-iti\- m1 thi> S-'-. in twu lulio volumes, having curious
^ .Xci'-i'iiut; t > thi- I'r. i'.i ^l,lIlt ,iir.\iiL'r- cnL;ra\in;^~, (mm wood. These are not to
i!.i :»t I \: '.;;:,• li.iort- ihc I )i -•■ -l,iMi-h- be found in tile Second ecUtion, publislu'd
i;.< :i'. •■: '.l.ii >r.r. in i^^~. and alter tlie author's deatli.
' "^T I 'm C. r.f i;*> " I'cclc-i.isth .d ' The Kev. J nhn Francis Sliearman con-
li'..:i;rr ■ A- . < .I;!' 1 r.ii Ii 1 i!i'- s.iiu ti- .n siders he ni.iy have been the same as
• •{ <;.•- I-Ard 1.1 1 lr^t l-riiH-. j'j). loi X" L<in,'.n, .i niniled scjii of I'ulditacli ]\Iac
i-'i • t'i l,UL;h,in, ,md he thinks it as not
• Hrf <rjii! Incurs (>n Uic iM of I"i o- unlikely, ih.it J.oiian hail lor a time the
tiiicy. She >»a.> N>r:j .il-nit t!i'- n.iddle spinlu.il ,i;uatdianshii) of St. lirigitl's
of the ii'.lU n-!itiiry ; ^hi- rr* i-ivcd th' nuin.ister\- until a ]ierinancnt pastor liad
r«-lit;>oii>i UaXiH lr-:u St. Mel. Ihsli->ji .>t liren app.unted. The Martyrologies of
.\ri!.!;:h. .«n>l a du*.i]'U- of St. r.itnck ; Talla^li .ind Donegal have a feast for a
sh.r founded a nunurrv at Kdd.>r>: pr.)- I. on of Cill CaMir.i, and tlie Rev. jMr.
l>.il.ly lx-t\Mcn A.I). 4.'''o and .\.i>. .jiyo ; Shearman thinks he is ])robably the
shf (!<•;. .ated this hfr alH)ut A.l>. ? - ?. same ,e> Lonius, Bishoj^ of Kildare. And,
S..-.' Kcv. Dr. L<ii'.i.;a!i's " Ikxh-ii.istu.il as ("ill Cial'hra %vas located iu Slieve
l^l^t.>ry ot Irel.uul," v..l. 1. M.iirghe, in the neighbourhood of Sletty,
" He llotirishcd m the beginnim; of the Lon or Lonius might be identified with
sixteenth century. He wrote a <loscrip- L(jnan, the son of Dubhtach, who had
ti' n of Ireland, m which this ac>'ount is been as-,i)ciated f(jr some time with his
cint, lined, and it is to be found in cousin, St. ITach. See " Loca Patri-
I b ■lini;slied's "Chronicles of I'n-l.inde, ciaiia," No. v., pp. 83, 84.
<)4
HISTORY OF THE QUEEN S COUNTY.
Ivorius, more usually called Ibhar or Ixov by tlie Irish. ^ The twelve
sons of Barr, dynast of Leix, and the tenth in descent from Laighseach,
are said to have been baptized by a bishop named Ibar — possibly the
same, yet distuict from St. Ibar,^ Bishop of Beg-Erin, although tlie
supposition has been that an identity is probable. St. Brigid had re-
lations with a St. Ibarus, a bishop,^*^ who lived in the plain of Gesill.^^
Jt need not necessarily follow, that he was, on that account, a bishop
over Kildare. ^'-' The first celebrated and authenticated bishop over
this See appears to have been a recluse named St. Conlath or Conlaeth,
who was chosen for that office by St. Brigid herself. ^^ His previous
name is said to have been Ronnchenn, and he w'as called, likewise
Mochanna-I^aire, of the Dal-^Iessincorb tribe. He is related to have
been a skilled artificer in gold and silver.^' Having been appointed
bishop in or after a.d. 490,^^ he governed the See for about twenty
years, and departed this life on the 3rd of Ma^',^" a.d. 519. ^^ After
die death of St. Conlaeth, the succession of bishops in the See of
Kildare ap])ears to have been lost, although Peter Walsh'^ mentions
one Maelcoba as Bishop of Kildare, under the date a.d. 610. However,
Sir James Ware thinks, ^'Hhat he has been mistaken for another bearing
the same name, and who had been Bishop of Clogher.
There is great difficulty in tracing the succession of the Kildare
bisho]:is or abbots, as sometimes they seem to have been iudiscriminatel}'
styled in the Irish Annals.-" It is cpiite reasonable to suppose, that
man}' — if not most- — of the abbots at Kildare had l)een invested with the
episcopal oflice. This was usual also, whenever bishops had monasteries
annexed to their cathedrals. However, Cogitosus, who lived it is said in
the sixth century, has a statement, that the episcopal succession had not
been interrupted until that time when he wrote. -^ After St. Aedh,
** Hammer copies from Standihurst's
account the following list of the early
bishops of Kildare, viz. : Lony, Ivor,
Coliiie, Donatus, David, Magnus, Ixichard
John, Symon, Nicliolas, Walter, Richard,
Thomas, Robert, Boniface, IMadogg,
William, Galfride, Richard, James,
Wale, Barret. Edmund, Lane. See
" Chronicle of Ireland," p. 90.
'-' His feast is held on the 23rd of April.
1° See Colgan's " Trias Thaumaturga."
Tertia Vita St. Brigidar-, cap. liv., pp.
532, 533- Also Ouarta Vita S. Brigidie,
lib. ii., cap. xxiii., p. 553.
11 Now Geashill, a parish in the King's
County.
'- See Rev. Dr. Lanigan's " Ecclesias-
tical History of Ireland," vol. i., chap,
viii., sect, xi., n. 134, pp. 411, 412.
13 According to Cogitosus, to whom
is attributed the Second Life of St.
Brigid, See Colgan's " Trias Thauma-
turga." Secunda Vita S. Brigid;e.
Prologus, p. 518.
1* A very ancient crozier, said to have
belonged to St. Finnbharr of Termon-
barry, in Connaught, and believed to
have been made by Conlaedh, the
artificer of St. Brigid of Kildare, is still
to be seen among the Irish Antiquities
belonging to the Royal Irish Academy.
See Professor Eugene O'Curry's " Lec-
tures on the Manuscript Materials of
Ancient Irish History," lect. xv., p. 33S.
1^ See Rev. Dr. Lanigan's " Ecclesias-
tical History of Ireland," vol i., chaji.
viii., sect, xi., p. 410.
i*^ This is the tlate for his festival.
I'' See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of
the Four Masters," vol. i., pp. 170, 171.
18 In his " Prospect of the State of
Ireland from the year of the World
1756 to the year of Christ 1652," part i.,
p. 224.
1^ See Bishop Comerford's " Collec-
tions relating to the Dioceses of Kildare
and Leighhn," V(5l. i., p. 4.
-° See Archdeacon Henry Cotton's
" Fasti Ecclesi;e Hibernic;e," vol. 11.,
Diocese of Kildare, p. 225.
21 The name of Archbishops is even
conferred on the prelates of Kildare ;
but this is probably to be taken in a
wide sense, as only indicating some
pre-eminence of rank or station as con-
trasted with that of other bishops.
" Quam semper Archiepiscopus Hiber-
niensium Episcoporum, felici saccessione,
et ritu perpetuo dominantur." Colgan's
" Trias Thaumaturga," Secunda Vita S.
Brigida;, Pra^facio, p. 518. See also n.
7, p. 525, ibid.
THE queen's COUXTV PORTIOX OF KILDAKE DIOCESE. (35
who is said to have been at first a king of Leinster, and having quitted
his royal state to have become a monk ; subsequently both Abbot and
Bisho]) of Kildare ; -'- the next who appears on the list is Lochen, sur-
named IMeann j\Iaenns, " the silent," -^ styled Abbot, but supposed
have been also a Bishop of Kildare. His feast is set down in the
■\Iartyrology of Tallagh at the 12th of January, and again at the I2tli
of June. He died on the 12th of June, a.d. 004, accordmg to the Four
Masters ; or a.d. 695, according to the Annals of Ulster. By the latter
it is stated, that he met with a violent death.-' Farannan, Abbot, and
perhaps Bishop of Kildare, died in 697.-'' His memory is celebrated
on the 15th of January, in the Calendars, -'^ and this was probably tlie
day of his death. Maeldoborchon, bishop of Kildare, died, according
to one account a.d. 704 ; -'' according to another calculation, on the
19th of February, a.d. yoS.-"^ In the Annals of Ulster, his death is placed
in the year following ; some writers record it, at a.d. 704. Tola, Bishop
of Kildare, and thought to have been identical with the Abbot of
Desert-Tola, and Bishop of Clonard,-'-^ died on the jrd of March, a.d.
732.^*^ However, the Rev. Dr. Lanigan does not believe that St. Tola
was Bishop of Kildare. ^^ A St. Diman or ]\Io-l)imoc, styled Abbot of
Kildare and Clonard, died March 3rd, a.d. 743. ■'- By Colgan, he is
styled Dodimocus and Modimocus, and he is said to have been an
anchoret. ^^ His being styled Bishop in the annalistic entry affords
strong grounds for concluding that he was Bishop of Kildare.^' In
the year 747, St. Cathald, the son of Forannan and Abbot of Kildare.
died.^'' Eichtingius was Bishop of Kildare. As he was celebrating
.Mass at St. Brigid's altar, he was killed by a priest, a.d. 762. This
murder took place between the altar and the Crocaingel, or latticed
partition between the clergy and laity. Afterwards a priest w-as pro-
hit 'ited from celcln"ating Mass in Kildare, in presence of a bishop.^''
The Annals of Ulster have this event at the vear 761 ; while those of
the Four M.Lstors record it at a.d. 755, and those of Clonmacnoise at
A.D. y^(K''
I.onituile or Laniwill, Ihshop of Kildare, died a.d. 7S2, according
to tlie .\nn.ds (;l tl,- I'our Masters, but rcc/c a.d. 787, according to
" Hww, •. 'T. It 1-. t!'.u'.i.;':it iimre \>ra- his " .'Vcta Sanctoriiin Ililicrni.c," JM:irt e
I .ill'-, h'" -A.vi n 't K::u; ol l.cin^'<T, \n\\ iii.. [) 79^.
»!;aI I.' -A.i-. .,( rlir IJlxvl K.iy.il. Sn- J'-* See Archdeacon Cott(;n's " Fasii
.Mfiit K'-v. Hi>!..p Co:nrr!ord's " Ciill'T Ecclesi.-t lliljernic.e," voL ii., p. 2^5.
u^ :i» trUv-r.^" t^» the Diivccsc of Kikhin; ■■" J lis reasons for such an opinitni are
a::\ I .<•:,;!. '..n." Viil. I. pp. A. ?• stated, in the " Eccle■^ia^^tR■aI History of
'» I., V ;:.r .i.-..-un!,, h- IS calk\l Iifland," vol. iii. See chap. xi.K., sect.
I>.-.V';i •.'.-• Vli^^ vin., n. 108, ]>. iy.\.
»' V--- l<<-v. l»r. O'Or.'.'ir's " Hcnim '-Sec .\rchde.icon Cotton's "Fasti
Hji<;jiJ.ir ;;i» S. fip'.orc*." TotiMis iv. . l-'rcle>ia:- IIit)ernica'," vol. li., p. 225.
Ai-.n^Iri I Uon!r:Jvr^ .X.P. IX"X( \'. ^^ See " Trias TliaiiinaiurLja." Appen-
•lolsms b,i:;ti:3. .\P. ai Cille-daio. di.x C.Jinnta ad .\cta S. Bri;..;icLc, cap. 2,
Hu*L»!jktw» r»t.' p. ')2>t.
•* Src Mivk's " Kcclcij.iitical Kr^Mstcr." ^' See Hr. O'Donovan's "Annals ot
p. ;;=;. tlie l-'c^nr Masters," vol. i.
'• Sic H.irns's W.irc. vol. 1., " Hit>h')ps ^^ .Vccording to the Annals of Tigher
of K!l!.irc." p. )-j. nach, and this is said to have been the
*■ S'-c ArilHliMK.n Cotton's "Fasti true year.
I\i:clr->i.L' HiheriiKa-." vol. ii., p. ^^ See Archdeacon Cotton's " Fasti
rJ5. Ecclesut Ilibernic.e," vol. ii., p. 225.
J'Sf-r Harris's Ware, vol. i., " Hi>hops ^^ See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of
of Kild.ire," p. jSj. the Four Masters," vol. i., pp. 358, 359,
" Col'^^.m h.is an account of him in and note (y), ibiil.
f)6 HISTORY OF THE QUEEX's COUNTY.
Dr. O'Donovan,^* or in the year 7S5, according to others.-'''' His name
has been Latinized Lomtuhns.^'^ In 7S2 is also recorded the death
of ]\Iuireadhach, son of Cathal, and Abbot of KiKlare.-'i Bisho]>
Lomtuile was succeeded by Snedbran, who did not long survive, but
died A.D 782, the year of his accession.-*- Tlie Irish Annahsts make
no exjM-ess reference to a bishop of Kildare, between the years following
to A.D. 833. Eudus Ua Dicholla, or Eudocins O'DiocholIa, Abbot of
Kildare, died a.d. 793, or more correctly, as it is stated, in 798.''
Foclan Mac Ceallach or Kellach, Abbot of Kildare, died a.d. 799 ; -^^
or as stated more correctly, a.d. 804.''^ Colgan has it, that his festival
was celebrated on the 2Sth of May, or on the 9th of June.-**^ Whether
or not, the foregoing individuals, or any one of them, represent the
episco]-)al succession in this See must remain a matter of uncertaint}'.''
According to Harris's Ware, Muredach O'Cathald, called Abbot of
Kildare, died a.d. 782.'*'^ Lactan O'Mucligern — also called Lasran
M'Moctigern — Bishop of Kildare. is said to ha\'e died a.d. 813 or 814.'-'
In the year Si(), Airbheartach of Cill-dara, died. What particular
rank or station he occupied in Kildare is unrecorded ; Init we may fairlv
assume he was an ecclesiastic, and a person of distinction. According
to the Annals of the Four Masters, ^<^ Laisren of Cill-dara died. a.d. S17.
Harris thinks it probable, that this is the Lasran MacMoctigern, Bishop
of Kildare, whose death is I'ccorded at a.d. 874, and he \vould account
for the discrepancy, by sup]:)osing a change of figures to have occurred
while copying MSS.^^ However, the Most Rev. Bishop Comerford
suj)poses it to be much more probable, if a mistake did take place, that
it was in assigning the death of Lasrcn to S74, in which year a Bishop
of Kiklare, but bearing another name, is statcil to have died." In
Harris's Ware, as IMurtogh or Murtach O'Kellach, this Abbot's death
is placed at a.d. 820. ^^ At A.D. 821 is entered the death of Mnireadhach,
son of Ceallach, Abbot of Cill-dara, in the Anna's of the Four Masters.^'
In 826 died Aedh, son of Ceallach, Abbot of Cill-dara.''"'
In the year 82S died Siadhal, son of Fearadliach, also styled Siedhuil
38 See his edition, vol. i., pp. 3S8, 380- ''^ See vol. i., " Bislu)])s of Kildare,"
^3 See Archdeacon Cotton's " l'';isii p. v"-^--
Ecclesia) Hibernica;," vol ii., p. 225. ■''' Ik- is named .igain as having die<]
"^ See Colgan's " Trias Thaumaturi;a." in S74 ; but Archdeacon Henry Cotton
He is referred to as by some called thinks, that probably there is a mistake
Bishop of Kildare. Appemlix Quinta in a lignrc, and that the same person is
ad Acta, S. Brigidas, cap. 2, p. 629. meant in both statements. See " Fasti
•'1 See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of EcclesicC Hib' rnic:e," vol. ii., Diocese of
the Four Masters," vol. i., pp. 388, Kiklare, p. 22:,.
389. °" See Dr. O'Donovan's edition, vol.
■•- See Archdeacon Cotton's " Fasti i., pp. 42S, 429.
Ecclesia3 Hibernicce," vol. ii., p. 225. °^ See Harris's Ware, \'ol. i., " Bishops
*^ See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of of Kildare," pp. ;^i',2, 383.
the Four Masters," vol. i., pp. 400, ^- See " Collections relating to the
4GI. Dioceses of Kildare and Leighlin," vol, i.,
*^ See Archdeacon Cotton's " Fasti pp. 6, 7.
Ecclesise Hibernicae," vol. ii., p. 224. ^^ See vol. i., " Bishops of Kiklare,"
^^ See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of p. 383. Also Archdeacon Henry Cotton's
the Four Masters," vol. 1., pp. 406, 407. " Fasti Ecclesiie Hibernic;e," vol. ii.,
^^ See " Trias Thaumaturga." Appen- Diocese of Kildare, ]). 226.
dix Quinta ad Acta S. Brigidae, cap 2. ^* See Dr. O'Donovan's edition, vol. i,
p. 629. pp. 43-, 433-
■•^ See Most Rev. Bishop Comerford's ^^ See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of
" Collections relating to the Diocese of the Four Masters," vol. i., pp. 440,
Kildare and Leighlin," vol. i., p. 6. 441.
THE QUEENS COUNTY PORTION OF KILDARE DIOCICSE
97
O'Feradacli or ^M'Ferag.-'^ Abbot of Cill-dara/'' This Abbot's nanu'
has been Latinized Seduhus by Harris, and it has become the Irish
laniih- name of Shiel. We are informed, that ]]c was the autlior ol
Annntations on tlie Epistles of St. Paul, and wliirh are still extant. ''^
He is not to be confounded with a still more renowned man bearing
the same name, who flourished in the fifth century, and who was a poet
ami theologian. ^^ It is probable, however, that the present Siadhal
was not a bishop. Tuathchar or Tuadcar, Bishoi") and Scribe of Cill-
(iara, died, a.d. S30 ^^ or 833. •'^ In the year 837, 839, or 840, as
variedly stated,*'- Orthanach, Bishop of Cill-dara, died.*'^ .'lidgene,
surnamed Biito, and also called Owen Britt, indicating that he was a
Briton In' birth, styled a scribe, a Bishop and an Anchoret of Kildare,
(lird A.D. 862, having nearly attained the very advanced age of 116
yt:iis>' He is also called Aeidhgenbrit.*'^ This venerable Prelate de-
]i. 11 till this life on the i8th of December.*^'' at which date we find in
the Martyrology of Tallagh the entry of an Acdgein Arda Lonain'^'^
—most ]n-obably the present Bishop.
In l]i(_; year 868, Cobhthach,''^ Abbot of Kildare, who was a wise
man and a learned doctor, died. He was commemorated in some
Irish I'oet, of which the following is a literal English
ti an
|i\- an
ation :
Cobhthach of the Cuirreach ''■* of races,
KiuLT ot Liphthe of tunics.
intended
" Alas ! for the great son of I\luireadhach, Ah, grief !
the descendant of tlu^ comelv, fair Ccallagli ;
" Chii.'t of Scholastic Leiuster, a perfect, comely,
jirudnit sage,
" A brilliant shining star, was Cobluhach,
tlie successor of Conladh." '^
The Ai'.nals ol Ulster style him Covhach JMacMureai, and prince of
I . . :. ...
lu! l.a«
\ 1)1. U., DuKlbC ul
in'.t " ,\iui,ilb of
Dr. (Jlh:\
' * Src .\!i.st Krv. H^^l.ol> Coim I l'iiir>
•■ ( ■li-N'.i 'U-. trl.ll!!.< to t!lC DlOCLM- ol
Ki; tjic an-.l I^ii,;hiirt." v 1. 1., j). 7.
*» ii.e Urv. Dr. I^r.i^du gives s.itis-
jji, t'Uy x<--kvd i T iirivtatt at the con-
<!»« us tJ^t l.c XV A» an Inslinidii. II'.-
• A.» tJ,.c Aut!; r of f .;fw:/»» l'.i ish.il.-, ul.so
•-.'■vfSjkJ l-cjuMul I.a'.in }iy:;ins, wliicli
Ui^r t-<<ra suti •; I'.rl jn the l>iviiu-
•>«.i<-» S« " ^;<^^k^.;.l^!^;tI History of
llfl^nd." voL I., chaj). i . i ;> l~. (t ify.
** Vr*: Archii'-.iC-jM i -.ttint " Fasti
I -fj irujc IIjJktjuc*:," vol. u.. Dioccbc of
Ki\ '..trc. t>. 22'j.
" Src I>r. O'Donov.in's " .\nnals of
dir r\,iir .\!.istcrs." Vol. i., pj'. 4-}i>, .?4'>-
*' See Archi'racoii Henry C^)ttuii'3
*■ l-'a^ti Ivctl'-i.f Hil'tniico.-." vol. ii.,
I'UKrsr of KlM.irc, p. Zib. Al>o Most
Kcv. Hi.shop Coim-rford's " Colkctiuiis
ril.itini: to the niocises of Kildaro and
LciKhlin," \ol. 1., p. 7.
* ' hce 1 )r. O'I'onuvan's "Annals of
the h'uur I\histers," vol. i., pp. 460,
4O1.
"'' Si-c Arcluli'acon Cotton's " I'^i^ti
h".cclcbi;e Ililieraicx'," vol. 11., Bisho]is of
]\ililaro, p 225.
"'■' Sec Most Rev. Bisiio)"! Comerford's
" Collections relalin" to the Dioceses of
lin, vol. 1., p. 7.
Trias Thaumaturga,"
ad Acta S. Brigida;,
Iviid.irc and Lei,L;l
■^^ See Col'-jan's '
-Vppendix (.juintti
cai>. 2, p. 0J9.
«7 See Ivev.' Dr. Kelly's "Calendar of
Irish Saints," p. x.x.wiii.
«s Called Col)tliach O'Muredach, by
Archdeacon Cotton. See " h'asti Ecclesia;
Hibernica;," vol. ii.. Diocese of Kildare,
p. 226.
"" A larRC plain near the town of
Kddare. The ancient Irish had chariot
races here, according to Cormac's
Glossary. In that work, it is conjectnred
that Coipnech is derived a curribus.
This plain has been celebrated from
times remote for its horse-races, which
are still continued at difierent seasons
of the year.
"" The first Bishop and patron of
Kildare, venerated on the 3rd of May.
Ii
98
HISTORY OF THE OUEEN S COUNTY.
Kildare '^ placing his death at a.d. 809.'- According to Harris's WareJ^
Moengal, Bishop of Cill-dara, died a.d. S70.'' This entry at the same
year, is not touad in the pubhshed Annals of the Four Masters. In
the year of Christ 873 died, according to the Four Masters and Colgan,
Robhertach Mac Ua-Cearta, from whom the Island known ar, Inis-
Robertaigh ^^ was named. "t^ He was a Bishop of Kildare, Scribe and
Abbot of Ci]l-Ach:)idli.'^ According to Harris' " Ware," '^ he was
Abbot of Achonry— but this is evidently a mistake for Cill-Achaidh.
The same authority places his death at a.d. 874 ; and it has thus been
copied by Archdeacon Cotton, as he states, that Robertach M'Xaserda,
who was a Scribe and Abbot of Achonry, became Bishop of Kildaiw
He died a.d. 873, or 874.''-' Sir James Ware calls this prelate Robertac
MacNaserda, and states, that he died on tlie 15th of January. C'u
the same day is an entry of a festival for Robertaigh in Inis More.'^'^
This very same year is" recorded the death of Lachtman, son of
Moichtigiiearn, Bishop of Cill-dara and Abbot of Fearna. By Colgan,
he is called the Abbot Lasran M'Moetigern, and in another place lie
is styled the Bishop of Kildare. However, this entry may refer to the
Lasran, whose death is recorded to have taken place a.d. 817, ^^^ and
inserted at the year 873, through an error of the copyist.'^-
In the year '878, Suibne Ua Finnachta, Bishop of Kildare, died,
according to the Aimals of the Four Masters ^^ and^ Colgan,"^ on the
27th of Septeml)er. On that day, he is registered among the saints
of Ireland in the Martyrology of Tallagh.^^ According to Harris'::
" Ware " ^''' and Archdeacon Cotton, Suibne O'Fianachta died a.d.
878 or 8S0.-' Scannal, Scannail, or Scandalus, Bishop of Kildare,
died in 881, according to the Annals of the Four Masters ^^ and
Colgan, ^'■^ but in 884, according to the Annals of Ulster. His festival
is set down in the Mirtyrology of Tallagh,'^'^ at the 27th of June.'-'i
''I Thus " Coohach mac Murcai, Prince
of Kildare." — Cod. Tom. 40.
" See Dr. O'lJoiiovan'.-, " Annals of
the Four Masters," vol. 1., pp. 512 to 515,
and nn. (a, b, e).
73 See vol', i., " Bishojis of Kildare,"
P- 3S3.
7* See Archdeacon Cotton's " Fasti
Ecclesia; Hibernica^/' vol. li., Diocese of
Kildare, p. 226.
'■"• Supposed by Dr. 0'Drmu\an to have
been in the Bog of .'Vllan. Probably from
it,Robertsto\vn,in the County of Kildare,
has taken its name. See " Annals of the
Four ^Masters," vol. i., Dr. O'Donovan's
edition, pp. 518 to 521, and n. (u) ibid.
78 See Most Rev. Bishop Comerford's
" Collections relating to the Dioceses of
Kildare and Leighliu," vol. i., " Bishops
of Kildare," p. 8.
77 Now Killeigh, in the Kind's County.
78 See vol. i., " Bishops ot Kildare,"
p. 383-
7^ See " Fasti Ecclesia; Hibernicai,"
vol. ii.. Diocese of Kildare, p. 226.
8« See " Martyrology of Tallagh," in
Rev. Dr. Kelly's " Calendar of Irish
Saints," p. xii.
"1 See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of
the iMjur Masters," vol. i., pp. 520, 521.
8- See j\Iost Rev. Bisliop Comerford's
" Ci>l lections relation to the Difjceses
of Kill hire and Leighlin," vol. i., Bishoj^s
of KUdare, p. S.
8^ See Dr. O'Donovan's edition, vol. i.,
pp. 526, 527.
s* See " Trias Thaumaturga." Appen-
dix; Quinta ad Acta S. Biigida-, cap. 2,
p. 629.
85 This must have been an addition to
the original .Martyrology of Tallagli,
supposed to have been compiled by St.
M(?lruan and St. /Engus, the Cukhe
before this date.
8" See vol. i., " Bishops of Kildare,"
P- 3«3.
87 See ,-\rchdeacon Cotton's "Fasti
Ecclesi.e Hibernic;e," vol. ii.. Diocese of
Kildare, p. 226.
88 See Dr. O'Donovan's edition, vol. i.,
pp. S30, 531.
80 See " Trias Tliaumaturga." .\p]X'n-
dix; Ouinta ad Acta S. Brigi(hn, cap 2,
p. '.-•<>.
'■*." See Rev. Dr. Kelly's edition.
01 See Harris's " Ware," vol. i.,
" Bishops of Kildare," p. 383. .Also
Archdeacon Cotton's " Fasti Iicclesi;e
Hiberr.icx'," vol. ii., Diocese of Kildare,
p. 220.
Tin: OUKEN S COl'XTY PORTI(~»X OF KILOAUi: DIOCESE. 99
The next successor appears to have been Lari;is or Largisius Mac
Cionin, Bishop of Kildare.-'- During his term, we hnd recorded the
deaths of St, Muredach, the son of Brian, King of Leinster and Abbot
ot Kilclare, a.d. 8S2 ; of Tulelatia, daughter to Iluargalach, Abbess
ol Kildare, this same year ; and of Tuetahus, Abbot of Kildare, a.d.
SSj.'-'^ During his period, also, the Danes were formidable enemies
to the princes and people of Ireland ; and a battle was gained over Flann,
son to the monarch, by the Danes of Ath-Cliath or Dublin, in which
fell Aedh, Iving of Connaught ; and Lerghus, or Largisius j\Iac Cronin,'"
l')ishop of Kildare, who was slain in this battle by the Danes, a.d. 8^5. '■'■''
'Ihe Annals of Innisfallen assign this event to a.d. 888. About this
lime, Suibhne, son of Dubhdabhoireann, the Prior of Kildare, and
jN'o persons were made captives b}^ the Northmen invaders, who
c.'rried them off to their ships '-"^—probably with the view of hax'ing
.! lansom ])aid lor their release. In the year fjoo, Dubhan, Abbot of
Cih-dara, died, according to the Annals of the Four Masters.''^ Various
r,;ids of the ioreigners are recorded as having talvcn place in 8S7, 889,
> ,5, and ()_'<). '-'^ \A'hether or not a Bisho]) had been in Kildare during
thi-Mj troubled tunes may be questioned, for such account is not found
ui (iur Amials. \n 903, the death of Suibhne, son of Duljhdaljhoireann
.ii.d I'liitr of Cill-dara, is recorded. '■"■' Flanagan O'Regan, Prince of
I ■ iMstrr and heu"-api)arent, Abbot of Kildare, died a.d. qzo.'^^'-'
( ninnmhael, liishop of Cill-dara, or Criunnocl, surnamcd Boeth,
i\r<\ Drcniiber iitli, a.d. n-')-''^ ^^u this daw his feast is celebrated
jr. the Iri.-h Calendars. ]\hil!inneoiius sueccrded as Bi'-lioj) ot Kildare.
.. eoidiii'.; to the stalrnient of Sir Jaiut-s Ware.'"-' ilow^'X'er, we do
::<){ liud the eulrv ol hir, death in Dr. O'Donovan's Annals of the Four
^! . t'l-. W'- aie uit'oniud, that Marltuian dio'I a.d. ()4'),'"''^ or 950. ^'J'
!i'- v.as l'>i h";' <'l Ivildare. In ()2.\. the Dams of Waterlord plundered
tins iihice, a:id uj f.iv 1 tli'-ir outrage in <i2b, carrving away numerous
> .iptui--^ .lU'l the n. lut bi'ot\- ; v.hile the Danes of Dublin pillagcl
;bc ti.v. n in u-J.--' In the vear os.v the town of Kildare was again
: !ll.i.:< d bv P»l.'.'Mr, tl.e son ol (iiKllrrd, at the head of the Danes of
i)'.:^ !;ii • "■ It IS ili"i:.;lit, th.it Culenuis or Ciilean MacKellach, Abbot
..( Kil i.t:-'. ■k\.s:> ;-'..iin on this occasion liy the Dain'S, a.d. 953.^"'' Such
'CO See ILiiiis's •' War.'," vol. i.,
" r.i-hdpsol K'llil.iu-," p. 38 ^ and Arcli-
clu.icun t'<atiiu's " i'".isli JucK-sLc Ilihur-
ui'' r," \(.l. li., I )i. iccSL- uf Kililarc, p. 22O.
'"' Sli: I'r. O'Donovan's "Annals of
tlu: l'"our M.i.stcr.^," vol. i., pp. OJ4, 623.
< ijx ?. :- f.;> ami CMl,;an's "Trias Thauniaturga."
"I:>in' <.»'Iv .-.; ,v An'» " An;i.ili of thv Appendix Ouint.i ad Acta S. Brigidze,
J Vif StisiTj-*," 1.C ;> ca".' 1 !.c;^!.a-». in. n cap. li., p. o io.
iCtu.ia-Ua. S« \. :. i . J p. c 30. U7. ''-'^ Sec «7//.
♦• Sv* Arvh'!riv«,rti <"-:■.•.:»■» " l"'dsti "'^ This \LMr is a-^siqncd for liis death,
F-c«T'<*jr Mil^-ciitcjc." viJ. u , D:c«:c5c o( in the Ann.ilsof L'l.itcT, Codc.K Clarendon,
KiVtirf, p. ;;r.. Tianc .}Q.
••• v<-^l'..;^An*>«" T::.k%n:aa::.atiirg;a," »"• Seu Harris's "Ware," vol. i..
Npjwnii* OinnM ad Av'.ji S. IIri^;ul.i-. " IJisliops of Kildare," p. SS3.
i*p .'. }» 6;o. '°^ bee " The Irish Penny Magazine,"
*• v-r !>.'. O'Donovan's cdiliou, vol. i., vol. i.. No. 35, p. 274.
5 j> «;'''>, "•:. '"'Sec Col,u;an's "Trias Thauma-
•• Srr Mr. Jnhn D'.Mton's nrlicie in tnrtia," Ajjpendi.x Qninta ad Acta S.
•• Tlic Irl^h Tcuny ilafjazine." vol. 1., HriKida.*, caj). 2, p O30.
N<i It. p. 274. '"■'See Archdeacon Cotton's "Fasti
»» N.-c Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of Ecck-^ia.- llil)ernica'," vol. ii.. Dice se
tri" F.Mir Masters," vol. ii., pp. i;')4, 56;. of Kililar<-, ]>. 22O.
1 :
l^^, >
:.vh .p f..
{., the D
nicri-aal's
UK ' MS ol
h.ilif- ;,;.
J I.
." Vul. 1.,
, I'a-Iiops
. { h..:-^<
t '
J.
*» *Vr«-« ,
' t 4 .'
.•»■• I;
;i%'l;.,i .1)
;-i.itur^;a."
\i.;<s^;.» '
1 1^:
:.t^ i. '.
A.:. I s.
j;;i,ad.c.
lOO
HISTORY OF Tin- OUhTX S COUXTV.
repeated outrages must lia\'e eaused uearl\' the ruin of those rehj^ious
estabhshnients there, with great loss ot hie and property to the
inhabitants.
It was a custom very common witli the Irisli annahsts to designate
their bishops under the title of Abbots."'"* The Irish Church having
been originally constructed on a monastic model, the bishops frequently
combined the abbatial v/ith the episcopal oftice, and hence as the annalists
were for the most part monks, they often chronicled the death of the
Inshop as that of their al)bot, since it wns in Ins abbatial capacity that
he was more intimately connected ^vlth them."''' Wherefore, it may
fairly be considered, that a long lapse of time, without record of a
bishop's existence in several Irish dioceses, nuist not lead to the in
ference of the See having been continuously vacant during such })eriod.
This must be borne in inind as the following notices "occur. The
next superior we read of was Mured Mac-Foclan, Abbot of Kildarc.
and he belonged to the Royal Family of Leinster. ^^^ He was killed
during an incuision by the Danes, a.d. 965 ; ^^^ while the Confederates on
this occasion .were Amlave, their king, and Kerbal JMacLorcan.""-'
The next bishop of ICildare is variously styled St. Anmclia, or
Aumchad, Latinized Annicliadius and Animosus. He was a ver\' h()l\-
man, and to him is ascribed the authorship of a Life of St. Brigul.'''
He is also called Amucaidor Ancmaid, Bisho]^ of KildaTe. He lived. to
a good old age, and died a.d. 9S0 i"i or 981. ^'^ At this latter date. Sir
James Ware, who styles him Amuchaid, places his death. ^^^ Murchad
or jMuireadlnch MacFlann, stvled Comorlian of Conlaeth,"'^ or
Bishop of Kildare,i^8 died a.d". gSs.^"-* The Abbot of Ivildaie,"-"
or Bishop, as called by Sir James Ware, and who was named Moel
Martin, or Ma'lmartan, died a.d. 1028, "-^ or 1030."-"-
Through reverence for the Patroness of Kildare Diocese, St. Brigid,'-'
we may assume the following name to have been taken — Moel Ihigid
Moelbrigde, or Brigidian,^--^ meaning " the servant of St. Brigid," and
^^^ All instance may be fonnd, wliere
the Annals of Ulster when recordin'^
the death of Celsus or Cealach, Arch-
iMshop of Armagh at a.d., 1129, state
that he died in the twenty-fourth
year of his abbotship.
^°^ See the Very Rev. James
O'Laverty's valuable and very learned
work, " Historical Account of the
Diocese of Down and Connor, Ancient
and Modern," vol. v., p. 73, n.
11'' See Ci-^lgan's " Acta Sanctorum
Hibernia\" xvi. Januani, n. 6, p.
107.
m See " Fasti Ecclesiai Hibernicae,"
vol. ii., Diocese of Kildare, p. 226.
112 See Colgan's " Trias Thauma-
turga." Appendix Quinta ad Acta
S. 15rigida3, cap. 2, p. <'~<30.
113 See Bishop Comerford's " Col-
lections relating to the Dioceses of
Kildare and Leighlin," vol. i., "Bishops
of Kildare," pp. 9. lo.
ii-* According to Colgan. See " Trias
Thaumaturga." Appendix Quinta ad
Acta S. Brigida?, cap. 2, p. 630.
115 See Archdeacon Cotton's " Fasti
Ecclesi.c I Iiliurnicns," vol. ii., Diocese
of Kildare, ]). 2ji).
^i''See " De rra^sulibus Lagenia_^ "
Episcopi Darenses, p. .1.3.
I'^See Dr. O'DoiKjv.iii's "Annals
of the Four Masters," vol. ii., pp.
718, 719.
lis See Colgan's " Trias Thauma-
turga." Appendix Quinta ad Aet.i
S. i'>rit;ida?, cap. 2, p. 630.
11'' See Archdeacon Cotton's " Fasti
Ecclesiai Hibernica?," vol. ii.. Diocese
of Kildare, p. 226.
12" See Colgan's " Trias Thauma-
turga," Appendix Quinta ad Acta S.
Brigidai, cap. 2, p. 630.
1-1 See " De Prcesulibus Lagenia'."
Episcopi Darenses, p. 43.
'-- See Archdeacon Cotton's " Fasti
Ecclesi;e Hibernicae," vol. 11., Diocese
of Kildare, p. 226.
1-3 See Harris's "Ware," vol. i.,
" Bishops of Kildare," p. 383.
12* See Bishop Comerford's " Col-
lections relating to the Dioceses of
Kildare and LeighUn," Bishops of
Kildare, p. 10.
THE QUEEN S COUNTY PORTION OF KILDARE DIOCESE. lOI
who died 1042.^-^ Colgan calls him bishop of that See as also Sir James
Ware."'-''' Again, at the vcar 1076, we fmd recorded in onr Annals the
'leatli of Kelius, son to D(jneg"an, Bishop of lA'inster : and tliat such a
title at tliis period had been attached to the See of Kildare cannot be
questioned. Kelius, altliough not mentioned by Colgan in his list
oi the Kildare I^ishops, is represented as a distinguished elder among
ihe ecclesiastics of Ireland, and he died in the reputation of sanctity at
<"deudalough, in the year already mentioned. ^-^ It would seem,
ihat some near connection had existed at this period, and at times
I'revious, between the monastery of Killachaid, or Killeigh, in
the King's County, and the See of Kildare ; for we are informed,
that a Itishop of the latter See named Finn IM'Gussan, called M'Gorman,
died at the hjrmer })lace. Through mistake, however, Colgan, Sir James
Ware, and after them other writers, state, that he died at Achonry,
-V.D. io!>5.^-^ Xevertheless, it has been pointed out, that there is
inanifeslh' a mistake or confusion in such an entr}', because at a.d. 1160,
a liishoj) of Kildare, bearing the same name, is recorded, and who died
at Killeigh, where he was interred. As, at the latter date, there was
undoubtedlv a bisho]) of Kildare sinnlarlv nametl. it appears most
I'robable, that liis name and deatli liad l-een twice entei'ed through
->iurie e-rror of a copyisi, and wrongh', at tin; year 1085.'--'
The next IJishop of Kildare appears to havt' beun F('rdomnach,
who assisted at a council held in Ireland, a.d. kh/), l)y Iving i"\Ioriertach
O'l^rien, together with Idunaii, Bishop of Meath, Samuel, Bishop
of Down, and other Prelates. ^^'-' All of these subscribed an Epistle
t'l T.aiifranc. Arrhbi^hi)]i of ('anterl)Ui'\'. reconnnending for consecration
Mal( has, tlie tn'si lli^lmp of Watealord. It is thought hY'rdomnach
n-siL'ued the See ef Kiid.iri' this same \'ear, a- he lived until iioi, while
m the w.ir itm;,!-' the (K-ath of :\l,u Ibriuhda Mac Antire O'lirolchan,
.1 leaiaied Portor. lli^li'ip of Kildare and of Le-mster died, and in the
\rar iioo. All! ( I'lhrt nion, Bi-iiop of Kildare, are stated to have died.
.^Ie.!:lv.l!i^• ;! i> s'ljipo-d. that Ferdomnach retained the title, without
:. Auig r<-.suined t!!-: .idwiinistration of the I^iocese.^'-'- In iioS, j\Iac-
ii.:. -Douiuhail. I)i-h.ip o! Kildare, died.''- In ii40,Cormac O'Cathsuigh,
-i\led r-:-h--p of l.rip.-ter. <iird.' ' In 114S, Ta Diubhin. Bishop of
K'.M.iM-, dir(l.' ' lie IS called Abbot by (A)lgan.'^'-' IIis successor
'•■ ^>-; \;< !. I. .ii.<.:» C•.i^l'n'^> " l'\i3ti iiicaruiu licclesi iruiii Ant ii|uitates,"
i 1. .;j ilil ■::■.:. .1 ." vol. n. L'i'K(.-bc liulex Chroneilo^iciis, ad An. MXCVI.,
.! K:l.;.n-. t>. ,•-•''. .\l .\.\). I"};. p. 54;.
l-:.;.*!! l:j.i j,:» r-.r.Ty J. T tlic ili'.ith i.! '-'i AcconlniL,' lo the Annals of Ulster
u!. -iJ.i-f v.iu::!.! " .\!.-l-bri'.^iduis. .,nd tli(i-,o ot the Kmir Masters. The
j.-:ir«.;.iicr Kj'.'.ari'-n. oliit." tunia r it\ie him Arch-pnest or Bisliop
"* Sr-c " l*c I'rjNu'ahiis La^jiu.c." of KilJare, and of all Leinster. The
l';;>"pi I'.ii»-ii%r-,. ji. .; ;. le.iioii lor this added title appears
•*' Sc-c C<ilv;.iirs "'liLi,-, Th.e.n.ia- {<> have beeu, that Ivildare had been
«uri:.i." Apjxivhx Ouitita .id Act.i i.msidcred, at that period, to have
>. ISri^Mil.r. c..p. 2. p. 0!u. .\1-.. i':.i.. been the most respectable or dis-
^cpiiiiKi Api'endix ad Acta S. l',itruii, tinRuished Src in Leinster.
J..»t^. III., jt. 30.S. '^-'See l\ev. Dr. Lani^:;an's " Ec-
••' Sec .Archdeacon Cotton's " l'"asti elesiastical lli-.tory of Ireland," vol. iii.,
Mci.If''i.ir Ilibcrnic.f," vol. 11., Diocese chaj). xxiv., sect, v., n. 51, p. 454.
of Kildare, p. 226. ''-Tins very year, also, the death
'5' Sec Itishop Comcrford's " Col- of Maeltunien, Archbishop of Leinster,
I'-ctioub rclaiinc; to the Dioceses ot is announced in Dr. O'Donovan's
Kildare and Lcighlin," Bishops of " Annals of the Four Masters," vol. ii.,
Kild.ire, p. 10. pp. 9S6, 9S7.
= ■" See .\rchbishop L'ssher's " Britan- i''* See ibit/., pp., loSo, 1081.
I02
IIISTOKV Ul- THE OUELN S COUXTV
appears to have been Finn MacGorniian, who had been Abliot
over the monks of Tnbhair-chinn-trachta. 'I'his monastery has
been variedly called iMonasterium Nevorensc, I)ul)liar-chinn-Triagh,
and Monasterium de viride Ligno, or Greenwood, ^^^ and it is now known
as Newry, County of Down. This prelate assisted at the Synod of
Kehs, or Melhfont, in 1152. He is supposed to have been the tutor
of Dermod Mac-Murrough, for \vliom he coiupilcd the celebrated Manu-
scri])t, still preserved, and now known as the Book of Leinster.^^^ He
died A.D. iibo.i^'' Malachy O'Birn, or O'Brin, succeeded. To him allusion
is made in the Life of St. Laurence O'Toole, Archbishop of Dublin. It is
stated by Giraldus Cambrensis,^^" that when FitzStephen had been besieged
in Carrig, near Wexford, a.d. 1171, this prelate and OTdethe, Bisliop
of Ferns, made oath to him of Dublin having surrendered to the Irisli,
which caused him and his party likewise to surrender. ^^ This
aj)parently groundless fabrication has been omitted b}' Sir James Ware,^*-
in his account of both prelates '■'^ ; but Harris did not neglect to foist
the slanderous tale into his edition of that honest writer's works. i"*^
We are told, by Harris, that O'Brin is called Bishop O'Brien
in the Annals of Leinster, and that liis death is placed in the \car
1175.^-^^ Other accounts ha\'e it, that he died on the ist of Januarv,
1176.1^'^
In the year 1177, Nehemiah was promoted to the S^e of Kildare', which
he governed about eighteen years. ''^' We have no account afterwards of
a bishop in that See, until the appointment^of Cornehus IMacGelan,^^^
which is assigned by Sir James Ware to a.d. 1206. It is thought, that
the death of Nehemiah must have occurred about 1195 ; ^^'-^ although
Sir James Ware could find nothing certain regarding the date.^^*^ There
I"'' See ibid., pji. 10S4, 10S5.
1"° See " Trias Tliauniaturya," Ap-
pendix Quinta ad Ada S. Brigida?, cap.
2, p., 630.
^'■^"^ Na juar is another name given to
it in Archdall's " Monasticon lliberni-
cum," p. 126, u. (2).
138 Xhis MS., preserved in the Library
of Trinity College, Dublin, had been
called the Book of Gleudalough, until
Professor Eugene O'Curry ascertained
that in reality, it was the Book of
Leinster, while he fixed the age of its
composition and the name of the writer.
This MS. contains 205 loose folios
in its present state, while these
embrace historical tracts, tales,
poems, and genealogies. It has lately
iDcen ]3ublished in fac-simile lithograph,
and it was edited by Dr. Atkinson,
T.C.D., who has prepared an explana-
tory introduction. See Rt. Rev.
Or. Comerford's " Collections relating
to the Diocese of Kildare and Leighhn."
Bishops of Kildare, p. 12.
'^'■* See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of
the Four IMasters," vol. ii., pp. 11 36,
II 37.
1*" See Giraldi Camljrensis' " Opera,"
edited by James F. L)imock, M.A.,
vol. v., Expugnatio Hibernica, lib., i.,
cap. XXV., jip. 270, 271.
1*^ Regan seems to tell more correctly
the story, that after FitzStephen had
sent thirty-six of his men to aid Earl
Richard, the traitors attacked him,
killed most of his men, taking himself
and \\\<i other ca\'aliers prisoners.
Ife lias nothing regarding the bishops
ill his account of this transaction.
See Harris' " flibernica,"p. 85.
''-In his " jVnnals of Ireland,"
A.i). I 171.
' '■' In his wor
LageuKL'."
'*' See Rev. Dr. Lanigan's
clesiastical History of Ireland,
iv., chaii. xxix., sect, xi., n. 7
231, 232.
'*^ See Harris' " Ware," vol. i.,
" Bishops of Kildare," p. 384.
^■"' See Sir James Ware, " De Pra;suli-
bus Lagenia;," Episcopi Darenses, p. 43.
'*' See Harris' " Ware,'.' vol. i.,
" Bishops of Kildare," p. 384.
'■•^ At first he was Rector of Cloncurry,
and afterwards Archdeacon of Kildare.
See Sir James Ware, " De Pra;sulibus
Lagenia'," Episcopi Darenses, p. 44.
'•"' See Rt. Rev. Bishop Comerford's
" Collections relating to the Dioceses
of Kildare nnil Leighlin," p. 13.
'5'J See " De Prj_sulibus Lageniaj."
Episc(jpi Darenses, p. 43.
at
De Pra^sulibus
' Ec-
vol.
pp.
Till': nui':i;N' s county portion oi' kudakl diui i.^i;. 103
is evidence in the Close Rolls, that Cornelius .AiacGi'lan'^' was living
on the 2gth of Julv, a.d. 1222, since his name occurs in a Papal Decree
c)t Honorius III. of that date. ^^^ He did not Ion;; survive ; for we find,
that on the 12th of March, 1223, the King of England, Henry III.,
empowers the Archbishop of Dublin to approve of his successor in the
See, Ralph of Bristol, so called, probably, because he had been a native
of that city. He is thought^^^ to have been Treasurer of St. Patrick's,
l)al)lin, at the time of his appointment. Ralph of Bristol underwent
great expense in repairing and beautifying the Cathedral of Kildare.
Some ancient sculptures still exist, which are supposed to date from
this restoration. 1^^ To him has been attributed a Life of St. Laurence
O'Toolc, a manuscript copy of which is still extant among the Manu-
scri]-)ts of Archbishop Ussher, in the Library of Trinity College, Dublin.
I'iall^h of Bristol died in the year 1232.^^^
In November, 1232, a licence was sent for the chapter of St. Brigid,
Kildare, by their messengers, to elect a Bislio]) in their church to fill
the vacancy caused by the death of Ralph, their late prelate. John
de Tanton,i^<^ Canon of St. Patrick's, was elected, and on the 6th of
August, 1233. the Royal assent was given. On the loth of November
following, a Mandate issued to Maurice Fitzgerald, Justiciary, to give
the P.ishop seizin of the See and of all lands and tenements thereto
belonging, whereof ]^ali)h, his predecessor, had been seized at the time
of his death. Mandate was also given to the knights,* free tenants and
others of the See, to be intentive and respondent to the bishop as their
jciiil.'^' During the episcopacy of this John. .a.d. 1254, the Earl of
Kildare founded the Green (Hrey ? ) Monastery at Kildare; and in its
(iLqiel ol the iilessed \'irgin ^Marv, a superb tomb was erected for that
noble fainilw'^' Bishoj) J nhn died about the beginning of summer, 1258,
and he wus buried in In.-, own church.'^'-' One oi the Canons of Kildare,
Sunem of Kilkeiniy, and so called, liecause ]irobably he had been
|.oin in th.it citv, was now elected successor, and he obtained the Royal
a--ent un the jist of ()etol)er, 125S. It seems to be doubtful whether he
died in .\!>iil. I272.1--' or m the vear 1275.'''^^ The See remained vacant
lui some \'.-,u^ .liter the d-ath ol this pielate.'^'-'
'«! ^;v< K:. K--V. Hi-.!i(i],> (\>iiuii.)i\l'.s I'-'See Ilarri'^' "Ware," vol. i.,
*■ t 11' < ?! >:;■> rcl.i'.iiu: t'- tlie Dioccses "Bishops ol Kildare," ]>. 3S5.
..; lu; Uir a:..\ I.'i.;liiia." \'ih 13. 14. '"o yi^i^ j^ stated in a short Chrouicl.i
•" .\t. :.;•.:».: t.>'th'.- Clusi.- Rolls of of the Dominicans.
Hit H':.:.- 111. "^' Harris stales, that he found by
>»» }»v >.i jATi'.n W.iro, in " De the accounts of John de Samford,
r**-:.jU* ;.> Ls:"-iAr" ICpiscojn I-~scheator of Ireland, in the Cliief
l'ii:rat.^j 5' 4.t Keinemt)ranccr's Office, that he ac-
••• Iliui'.fi'.iia» ol iJi'- -c remains are .-.lunli-tl f^r the proiits of the Sec of
t'j b* to-r. J J.v 5{fv. 1:. O'Lc.irv. m • Kildare milv ironi tlie Vied of St. Michael
hi Kfv. !^;^h'..;> Cornel..:, IS "Col- 'th Edward I., A.n., u;;, to the 19th
lo'.i.^ri rrUlin;; to t}'.r I>i<.Keie', of of I'ehrii.irv, Qth Edward I., .\.D., 1281,
KiI:a:«- i.::l I ci^U'.iii," at i>. i.;. at whi.;h tiuie the 'reinporalities were
»»» tvrc " Ann.ilr^ d- .\Ii.:jtr I-Vrn.mdi." re-t.'i.d t" .Nicholas ( u^ack. Nor
or .\nn.ti-. ol Mii!lifcr!i.i::». tdiTivl hy did Harris lind any account rendered
l>r. .\4ud.i Smith, for the In.di .\:ch;co'- in the E.\cheiiner from 1272 to 127s.
1>km- -iJ Soictv, p. 12. So that he infers, either Simon did
•♦* Sir J.itno W.irc add-. " fort- not die until the latter year, or the
St.iiiton " Escheator ditl not account for the full
'•■(lose Roll of iSth Jl«nry III. tiineof the vacancy. See Harris' " Ware,"
>■» Src Dr. O'Donov.m's ' " .\nnaN vol. 1., " Hislio[)S of Kildare," p. 385.
f>f ilic- I'our M-i-tcrs." vol. iii., pp. lo^ S(^.e Sir James Ware, " De Pra^suli-
<;.-. ;;v bus T.-i'^eni.r," Episcopi Darenses, p. 4S.
I04 HISrORV OF THE QUKl-.x's COUNTY.
After the death ol Simon, the Chapter of KiKlare had an election ;
one part of the Canons elected Stephen, Dean of Kildarc. while another
elected William, Treasurer of that church. This proved a cause of
tedious contest at Rome, and it occasioned a lon;^' vacancy in the See.
However, after prosecuting the respecti\-e claims at Rome, both candidates
resigned — William b\- letter and the Dean personally — before Pope
Nicholas III."''^ The latter, to prevent further contests, appointed
Nicholas Cusack, Elinor! te and a native of Meath, to be Bishop of Ivildare,
on the 27th of Noveml)cr, 1279. On the 24th of December, a.d., 12S0,
the king intimated to the kniglits, free and other tenants of the f^^ishopric
of Kildare, that he had collated and taken fealty from Nicholas, having
restored the Temporalities, with a Mandate to be intentive and respondent
to him as their bishop, and also an order to Ste|)hen, Bishop of Waterford,
as Royal Treasurer, for 100 marks to be paid to Nicholas as the king's
gift. The assessment known as tlie Taxation of Pope Nicholas III.,
to ])romote the meditated Cruh.ide, caused this }-)relate, with Thomas
St. Leger, Bishop of Meath, to be joined in a commission, a.d. I2()2,
to obtain a Disme or tenth of all ecclesiastical rents, profits, and oblations
in Ireland, according to their true value to be paid the king for relief
of the Holy Land.^''^ Such valuation was accordingly made in the course
of three years and it is yet extant. ^*'^ In the year 1294, the whole country
around Kildare was nuserably wasted both by the Jrish and English, i'^'"
the Castle of Kildare was taken, i*^'" while its Rolls and Tallies were burned. ^'^-'^
Bishop Nicholas Cusack died in September, 1299, ^'^'■^ having sat about
twenty years after his advancement by the Pope, and he was buried
in his own church. ^"'^
On the 5th of January, 1300, Walter de Veele, the Chancellor of
Kildare, was conhrmed Bishop of that See by King Edward I., and lie
was consecrated in St. Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin.^" ^ Pie sat upwards
of thirty years in the See. During his episcopacy, m 1310, a Parliament
was held in Kildare.^'- He died in November, 1332, and he w^as buried
1'^^ This Sovereign Pontitf was elected " ]\Ioinoirs of the Archbishops ol
November 25th, a.d. IJ77, and he Dulihn," p. 108.
was crowned the 2t)th ol December ^'^'^ See Jacobi Grace, Kilkennieusis,
following. He died August 22nd, a.d., " Annates Hiberni.e," edited by Very
1280. See Sir Harris Nicholas' " Chro- Rev. Richard Butler, pp. 42, 43.
nology of History," p. Jej. 1^7 Que Calwagh is connected with
1"^* The history of the crusades has these transactions. See -ibid. He
been treated by many writers; but was undoubtedly the brother of JMurtagii
hardly have an}-- succeeded in giving O'Conor, King of Offaly, both of whom
so complete and reliable an account were killed afterwards at the Court
as M. jMichaud, whose work on the of Peter Bermiiighaui at Carrick in
subject has passed through several Carbery, as related in the Annals. See
editions. In 1854 appeared at Paris ibid., pp. 48, 49.
in four 8vo. vols, the " Histoire des "s According to Sir James Ware's
Croisades " par Michaud, de I'Academie " English Annals," at 1294.
Frangaise. Nouvelle edition faite ^'^'■> See Rt. Rev. Bishop Comerford's
d'apres les derniers Travaux et les " Collections relating to the Dioceses
dernieres Intentions del 'Auteur; pre- of Kildare and Leighlin," p. 16.
cedee d'une Vie de Michaud par I\r. >''« ^g^ Sir James Ware, " De Prcc-
Poujoulat, et auginentee d'uu Appendice sulibus Lageniaj," Episcopi Darenses,
par M. Huillard BrethoUes. p. 45.
16.5 .. xhis estuuaic IS, m a legal point i^' See Archdeacon Henry Cotton's
of view, the more important, because " Fasti Ecclesi;c Hibernic;o," vol. ii.,
all the taxes, as well to the successive the Province of Leinster, Diocese of
kings as to the Popes, were regulated Kildare, p. 228.
by it down to the 2' I'.h year of the reign '^-See Harris' "Ware," vol. i.,
of Henry VIII." — John D'Alluii's "Bishops of Kildare," p. 386.
THE QUEEN S COUNTY PORTION OF KTT.DARE DIOCESE.
105
in the Cathedral at Kikhirc.''"' Richard Hulot, or Howlot, a Canon,
and afterwards Arclid'acon of Kildare, was elected, in 133,^ as successor,
and he obtained the approval of Pope John XXII ontlu' iSlh of October.
On the 26th of April, 1334. he obtained the temporalities. ^'^ He sat
nearly twenty years. He died June 24111, 1352. Wis ohii was celebrated
at Christ Church, Dublin. '' ' The same year Thomas Giffard, Chancellor of
Kildare, was elected and confirmed as Bishop of Kildare by a Bull of
Pope Inocent VI., and dated from Avignon, December 31st, 1352. According
to other accounts his consecration took place in 1355.-''^" After tlie death
of Bishop Gihard, the See continued vacant lor more than one year.^'''
Robert of iVketon, an Angustinian Eremite, had l:)een elected Bishop
of Down in 1365, but the Pope annulled that election. ^"^ He was after-
wards promoted to tlie See of Kildare in 1366, by the Sovereign Pontiff.
He died either in the next or the following year.i"'-* He was living in
1367, but how long he survived does not appear. He died on the 25th
of September, 1365,^=^* and he was buried in the Cathedral of Kildare. ^^^
However, according to Harris, certain short Annals of the Augustine
Hermits, winch he had seen, state he died Bishop of Kildare in i3(:iS.^^~^'
A Bisho]) n_amed George is said to have succeeded, and to have died
.\.D., LjC)!. I'^"
In tiie year 1376, a re]^re;^entation of the clerg\' and laitv of Ireland
was convened by King Edward III. at \yestminsk.n", to deliberate
on the question of 'granting a liberal subsidy and on the state of the
kingdom. The clerg\' who represented the diocese of Kildare were
William White and Kiclnrd Wliite. The diocese of Leighlin sent no
representative.''^' On_ t!ic 4th day of the Ides or loth of December,
1401, the Pope appomted Henry of Wessenbt.i-g, a PT"anciscan friar,
as Bishop of Kildare.''''^ It has been suggested, that perhaps Thomns
and Robert are only one and the same person, but under different 'names. i'''
Thomas is said to liave sncceedt-d Henry, and to have died in 1405.''''
^'^" A drawing of thr sc-al of this
bishop is in the archives of Christ
Church, DubUn. Set- ]\Iust Kev.
Bishop Comcrfcird's " Collections re-
lating; to the Dioceses of Kildare and
].ei,t;hlin," vol. i., Bishops of Kildare,
'■'See llarris' "Ware," vol. i.,
" Bishops of Kildare," p. r''0. Also
Theiner, " Vetera Monunieiita Hilier-
norum et Scotorum Historian! illus-
trantia," pp. 25S, 259, jui.
1"-^' See Archdeacon Henry Cotton's
Fasti Ecclesiai Hibenue.e, \-ol. ii.,
the Province of Leinster, Diocese of
Ivildare, p. 22S.
1'"' See Theiner, " Vetera IMonumenta
Hibernorum et Scotorum Historiani
illustrantia," p. 301. Also Bishop
Coincrford's " Collecti>uii relatin,i,' to
the Diocese of Kildare and Lci,L;hlin,"
vol. i., p. 17.
i'''^ See Harris' " W.ire," vol. i.,
" Bishops of Kildare," ]>. ^S6.
^"^ See Bishop Coraerfurd's "Collec-
tions relating to the Diocese of Kildare
and Leighlin," vol. i., Bi = l!r,p^ of Kildare ,
p. 17.
1"'' See Archdeacon Henry Cotton's
" Fasti I'^cclesice Hibernie.L'," vol. ii., p.
228.
"^" See Harris' "Ware," vol. i.,
" Bishops of Kildare," p. 380.
'-'" St'e Archdeacon Henry Cotton's
" l'"asti iCcclesKc Hibeniica;," vol. li.,
p. 228.
182 See Harris' " ^^'are," vol. i.,
" Bishops of Kildare," p. 3SG.
183 See ibid.
IS* The representatives for the County
of Kildare, on this occasion, were John
Rochford and l\'tcr Kowe ; those for
the County of Carlow, were Geotfry de
Valle and Peter de A'alle. See Bishop
Coincrford's " Collections relating to the
r'ioceses of Kildare antl Leighlin," vol.
i., " Bishops of Kildare," p. 17.
18 J According to Luke Wadding's
".\nnales Minorum Ordinis Franciscani,"
tomus v., p. 3, ad annum 1401.
'-'*" See Archdeacon Henry Cotton's
" F^asti Ecclesix' Hibernicx," vol. ii.,
the Province of Lemster, Diocese of
Kildare, pp. 228, 229.
"*" See Harris' " Ware," vol. i.,
" Bisliops of KiKlare," p. 387.
io6
HISTORY OF THE QUEEN" S COl"NTV
Robert appears to have been bishoj), and to have re^igncd in this ye:ir ;
for the king presents a clerk to the treasurershij). the Tcniporahties
of the See being in his hands, owing to the resignation of Robert, the
late bishop. ^^s A bishop succeeded in the See oi Kildare, but his name
is not recorded, and this appears from the Archives preserved in tlie
Vatican. ^^'-^ On the 26th of October, 141(1, one Donald Orici (O'Reilly.'
was ap])ointed his successor. It has been slated, but incorrectly, by
John Bale, that a Carmelite, named Quaplod, liad been Bishop of
Kildare about this time. However, Quaplod was Bishop, not of Kildare.
but of Deiry ; and the Latin names of the two Sees Derriciisis and
Daren sis being so nearlv alike, the one may have been ver\' readily
mistaken for the other. '■'•^
John Madock, educated at Oxford, and who was Archdeacon of
Kildare, filled the Sec^'-'i He died .\.d. 1431.1 - William, Archdeacon
of Kildare, was appointed to this bishofnic by Pope luigene IV., August
8th, 143 1. '-^3 ^Iq (;iig^ ij-, A])ril, 144'').^''^ There is a seal inscribed,
" Sigillum Willmi. Dei Gracia Kyldarens. Epi.," supposed to have
belonged to this bishop. ^'-'^ Geoffry Hereford, a Dominican friar,
through the instrumentality of Henry VI., was appointed Bishop of
Kildare, and he was consecrated upon Easter Day, a.d. 1449. i-"' He
sat for about fifteen years, and he dieU in i^i]^}'-'' He was buried in his
own cathedral. 1'^^ Richard Lang, a man of noble birth and of great
learning, succeeded in 1464. He had been selected for Arclibishop of
Armagh on tlie death of John Bole, in the year 1470. ''''■* His character
stood so high, tliat the Dean and Chapter of Armagh earnestly petitioned
the Pope to promote him to that archbisho|)ric. Their suit, however,
was rejected. He retained the See of Kildare till the time of his death,
which hapiK'iied in 1474. -'^'^ In 1474 one David w as appointed Bishop
of Kildare. However, it does not appear he ever took possession of
his See, as he died almost immediately after his appointment."'^' On
the 5th of April, 1475. James Walc; D.D., a Franciscan fnar, was
ISM Accortliag to the Rolls, Pat. 7,
Henry IV.
i"'-* Th'j record thus runs : " Sept.
Kal. Novcmbris, 14 19, provisum est
c'cclesioc Daren, in Hib. Vac. per mortem,
(le persona Dnualdi Oricii, jMiiulen "
(iMulen ?),— William IMaziere Brady's
" E])iscopal Succession in Kn<;land, Scot-
land and Ireland, A.D. 1400 to 1S75,
with Appointments to Monasteries aiul
Extracts from Consistorial Acts taken
from ]\ISS. in public and private Libraries
in Rome, Florence, Bologna, Ravenna,
and Pans," Vol. i., p. 348. In Three
Volumes, Rome 1876, 1S77, 8vo.
i'-*" See Bishop Comerford's " Col-
lections relatin;.; to the Dioceses of
Kiltbre antl Leglilin," vol. i., " Bishops
of Kildare," ]). iS.
i'-*' See Bishop Comerford's Col-
lections relatiu',; to the Diocese of
Kildare and Leii^hliu," vol. i., " Bishops
of Kildare," p. iS.
'"'- See Archdeacon Henry " Cotton's
'' ImsIi Kcclesi.e llibernic.e," vol. li.
Pro\iuce ol Leiuster, Diocese of Kildare,
'•'■' Si-e Dr. Pradx's " Episcoi)al Succes-
sion." I've, \i)\. 1., p. 349.
^'-" .Vrt hdeacon Henry Cotton's
Easti l£ccle.~i,r Hibeniico?," \'ol. ii..
Province of Leinster, Diocese of Kildare,
p. C-'Q.
i-'-' An engraving of it is to be seen in
the "Irish Penny Journal" for 1840.
'■"'See Harris' "Ware," \'ol. i.,
" Bishops of Kildare," p. 3S7.
I''" See Bishop Comerford's " Col-
lections relating to the Dioceses of Kil-
dare and Leighlin," vol. i., " Bishops of
Kildare, p. iS.
1-'^ See Archdeacon Cotton's " Easti
Ecclesia; Hibernica-," vol. li., Province
of Leinster, Diocesi.; of Kildare, \^. 229.
i'-*^ See Harris' " W'are," vol. i.,
" Archbishops of Armagh,"
-"^ See Archdeacon Henry Cotton's
" Fasti Ecclesia' Hibernica;," vol, ii.,
Pro\'ince of Leinster, Diocese of Kildare,
p. 220.
-'^'i l'.\-en befcjie his .'\postolic letters
x'.ere ci unpli'trd , accordiii'..; Id Luke
Wadding's " Aunale.^ Ordinis Rlmorum,"
tomus \i., p. S30.
THE yUEEN S COUNTY PORTION' OF KILDAKE DIOCESE. IO7
jTomoted to tliis See. He resigned it in a very .-liort tinio.'-'*^- To him
William Barret succeeded, but at what precise time seems to be unknown.
He resigned in or before 14S2. Afterwards he a])]iear3 to have taken up
his residence in France, as in the year 1493 he was Vicar to the Bishop
of Clermont. -°2 Edmund or Edward Lane was promoted to this See
in 1482. He was a great benefactor to its church. He founded a
college at Kildare for the residence of the Dean and Chapter. This
prelate had been induced to assist at the coronation of Lambert Simnel
through persuasion of the Earl of Kildare. For this he was pardoned in
1488.-^* Bishop Lane occupied this See for upwards of forty years
and he died about the close of 1522. A drawing of his episcopal seal
is in the archives of Christ Church, Dublin. -*^'^
The Earl of Kildare asked Cardinal Wolsey to procure the bishopric
of Kildare for the Dean Edward Dillon.-^" This request was not granted,
but the preferment was obtained by a namesake, perhaps a brother,
and named Thomas Dillon, who succeeded in 152 ]. He was a nati\-e
oi Meath, but he was educated in Oxford.-'"' He is said to have died
.A.!). 1531 -'-'^ ; but, probably, it was at an earlier date. A Dominican
iiiar, i'eter Stoll, D.D., was promoted to the See of Kildare, by Pope
( lenient VII., March 15, a.d. 1529. -"'■■' The name of this prelate has
been omitted by Sir James Ware and by his editor, Walter Harris,
liie ne.xt wlio succeeded was Walter Wellesley, commonly called
\\'e^ley, Pricjr of Conall, in the County of Kildare, and "for some time
.Master of the Rolls.-^'^ As he was designated fur the See of Kildare
liom the 1st of Jnlv, 1520, according to the Barbanni Archives in Rome,
It Would seem, eiitier that Dr. Stoll had declined the proffered dignity,
111 ih.it his selection had not been confirmed by the Pope. His being
an In>hinan was i)rc)bal<l\' a disqualification, and a mure pliant instru-
ment for l-.i'.L'lish Court policy, -'Mving Henry Mil. being the monarch,
w.is icquiivd. \\'alter Wellesley had been one of the King's Privy
Couii' illoi- ; he w.is jiroinoted to this bishopric bv royal favour, and
.il)lH>iiited L.'. I'o; e (T.-menl \TI. In virtue of a Dispensation, he held
the Tiioiv oi C"-..!ll during life.-'^ jj^ ji^-d in 1539, and he was buried
""-' Sc-c IJisliop Dc Burro's " Hibernia
Dominicaiia." cap. xiii., sect. Ivii.,
p. 4^^-
= 1*^ See Harris' " Ware," vol. i.,
" Bisluiiis ol KiUlare," p. ;,S!>.
211 The fulluuinf,' uiKeinplnncatary
reference to Dv. Peter Stoll is found
HI the St.it. r.i]i;u^, vol. II., p. 141.
("owlcv to W.ilsey : " .\ntln.nv Knevet
hath ubliviieJ the Bishojirik cil Kildare
to a .syin]'!i- Irish presto, a vayabounde,
without Kniyni;, maners, or good
<iua!i!\t. Hot worthy to bee a hally
<i« KiMaIc. ji. I-, " w.Ucr (.It-rk." This ofliee of Aqux-ba-
•*' 'M'* .■\:cf:.ttaK'n H'nrv Cotton's j.ilus was bv a constitution of Arch-
■■ l•.^^!^ l.!«;v!c^j.e lliL-'Tiiua-." v..;. ij.. bishop I' miace to be conlerred on poor
rroVMucol I.vir.-tcr, I't^^' .- o! Kildare. cKrks. " .\s I lure the Kmges Highnes
J. .•,"> wol pay for his bulles out of his
= ''*.\t<.ordifiv' lolhcS'ite r.iprr:,. vol. ii. owne cofer^ ; whereof others in Ireland
'•• S<-c Anthony \V<>ovl\ '• Athen.i.- w.jiild .^uath- marvaille, soche as
()\m\cn\c^," vol. 'i.. p. '/.j. have do^u the Kmges grace good
''•Sec Archdeacon Hiiirv Cotton's service."
'■ I-'a^U KccleM.e llibernica','" vol 11.. -'-See Sir jaines Ware, " De Pr.x-
r.'oviTircof Leinster, Dioces'.- of Kildar.- sulibus La^enue." Episcopi Darenscs,
p. ;to. I^. 40.
..:,d 1.-
Hvrd y.:V
Ill .\pril .'-th. 1494,
; iu" the l-raiK isian
t liUV( til
in l". ;". !
::, S<.-e .\iv.li(L.'.i "11
Urs.rv
I . '.:■•.: 5
" l-.l-ti KtclrM I
Jl;t--;:.;
.1 " % . 1
1: I'rovmce ot
U»:;:;-:
. 1-. ■ 'y '
J Im: :..:<•. p. JJ9.
- lJ•.r.•!^'
■. . ' Ki:
■•Waic." \ol. i.,
'. .:•■ " p. 358. .\'iSO
VU-.;<tc.
i-i . ;>-B-- 1
J . % • pjl ;~iKce~>si. 11,"
.\v.' i ;
• 'ki i
W» >.f
r ■■l..0...i,
«..::. -M.rd'r. " Co!-
\ri 1»* J.»
rf;-tw;<
! 1 Jhr 1>1. .-.<■.(■;. of
lili JjvfC
a:uJ I.^..:!.
:.n." vol. 1.. r-;-l...ps
TOS HISTORY OF THE QUEEX's COUNTY.
in his Priory of Conall, where an altar tomb to his memory still remains. -"^
It bears the tigure of a bishop with mitre, and pastoral staff in low relief
with a Latin inscription.-'-* On the death mi Dr. Wellesley, Donald
O'ljeachan, a lMinorit(.\ of the Convent of Kildare, was provided for
his See b}^ the Pope, on the i6th of Jul\'.. i5-}0. However, he died a few-
days after his appointment. After his deaili. Thadv Reynolds, Rector
of the Church of (.)lmar, in the Diocese of ]\le;\th, was ap]~ioinu'd Bisho]-)
by the Pope, on the 15th of November, 1340. At this time, King
Henry VHL, in open revolt against the P(.i|)e, refused to acknowledge
Dr. Reynolds ; and, styling himself Supreme tiead of the Church of
Ireland, he undertiN.'k II10 promotion of Thonuis Mi:igh,"^^ whom he
afterwards called into liis ikivy Council of Ireland, iu is reckoned as
the iirst Kildare prelate of the Pi'otestant Re^oiinalion. He died on the
15th of December, 1548.-'^
When the See had continued vacant one year and seven montjis,
Thomas Lancaster was appointed Protestant bishop by the king, and
by virtue of a Commission dated July nth, he was consecrated on the
20th of that month by George Brown, the Protestant Archbishop of
Dublin.-^'' On the 3rd of September following, he obtained a faculty
to hold the deanery of Kilkenny, together with this bisliO]iric. The
Oxford antiquary, Wood, makes him also Treasurer of Salislun-v.-'^
This, hovv'ever, is a mistake, as Thomas Lancaster, ArchbisJiop of Armagh,
was really that person. In 1554, because he was a married man, a
Commission, composed of George Dowdal, Archbishop of Armagh,
Thomas Leverous, and others, deposed Lancaster, "^'-^ under Mary. Oueen
of England.
Thomas Leverous,--'^ a native of Kildare County, and Dean of St.
Patri(-k's Dublin, just then restored, was nominated Catholic Jhshop
of Kildare on the ist of I\Iarch, 1555 ; yot, this was not confirmed
by the Pope's Bull until the 30th of August following.--^ But it seems
])robablc, that he had received episcopal consecration some years previous
to his appointment to Kildare. In 1541, information reached Rome,
that Dr. Saunders, Bishop of Leighlin, had died ; whereupon Dr.
Leverous was appointed to succeed him. The information which led
to his election for the See of Leighlin proved to be unfounded, as Dr.
-'2 'J'li'.^i is built inttj ihc wall en- be found in John D'Alton's " Memoir.s
closing the burial-ground, at the entrance of the Archbishops of Dublin," pp. 196
gate. See " Journal of the County to 235.
Kildare Archai'logical Society and Sur- -^^ See " Athenas Oxonienses," vol. i.,
rounding Districts," vol. i., p. 149. p. 175.
-^* These are the words : " Hie jacet -''-' See Bishop Comerford's " Col-
frater Walterus Wellesley, quondam lections relating to the Dioceses of
]4)iscopus Darensis, hujus Domus Com- Kildare and LeighUn," Bishops of
uiendatarius, cujus animce propitietur Kildare, p. 23.
Deus Qui obiit Anno Domini M.D. . . ." --" In a passage from the Consistoral
In English : " Here lieth brother entry, preserved in the Barliarini
Walter Wellesley, late Bishop of Kddare, Archives, he is called " Tlioma; Leuros,"
Prior of this House, to whose soul may so that probably his real name was
God be merciful. He died in the year Lewry or Lowry.
of our Lord, M.D. . . ." --i See Sir James Ware, " De Priu-
-1^ He was a native of Cork, according suhbus Lagenix'," Episcopi Darenses,
to Sir James Ware. See " De Prac- p. 50.
sulibus Lageniai." Episcopi Darenses, --- His instrumentality in saving
p. 49. Gerald from fcdlmg into the hands
21" See Harris' " Ware," vol. i., of the linglish is recounted fully in
" Bishops of Kildare," p. 300. " Tin- lilarls of Kildare," by the Marquis
-1'' A full account of this P'-'-'l-ite is to of Kildare.
THE QUEEN S COUNTY PORTION OF KILDAKE DlOfESE. lOD
Saunders lived until 1540 ; still it would appfar, that the mistake had
not been discovered until alur the consecraliun of Dr. T.everous had
(aken place, as in his ajiiiuintnient to the See of Kildare, the official
record styl' s him " olini Kpiscojius Le-hlinmsis." Dr. Levurous
had been the tutor and guardian of Gerald, halfd^rothcr to Thomas,
Earl of Kildare, and liis successor in thr title.---' This prelate
had bfcn mainly instrumental in organizing that great confederacy of
Iri^h chieftains, Desmond, O'Brien, O'Donnell, and O'Neill,--^ which,
in 1537 and 1540. --^ had well-nigh overturned the Engl'ish ]iower
m Ireland.--^ Although his nomination received the sanction of the
Holy See in August, yet the Bull for his appointment did not arrive
in Ireland until the iQth of December, 1555, owing to the illness of the
messenger. By Act of Parliament, Queen Elizabeth was made supreme
Head of the Church in Tr eland, and the oath of supremacy was enacted.
Refusing to take that oath. Dr. Leverous w^as deposed from his bishopric
and dr.mery, January 1550.--'^ Afterwards, he was obliged to teach
a school, in the town of Adair near Limeritdv, f(3r his livelihood,--' while
he exercised episcopal faculties and ministrations under the prevailing
^yr^tem of rigorous proscription. During this period, Dr. Ricliard
Creagh, Archbishop of Armagh, received faculties from Rome, April loth.,
1575, for administration of the entire ecclesiastical Province of Dublin.
Dr. Leverous died at .K.tas, about 1577, in the eigjitieth year of his
age, and he was buried tliere in the parish Church of St. David. --^
From the death of Dr. Levercius to the 3'ear 1620, the See of Kildare
was administered hy Catholic \'icars Apostolic. During this interval,
the Rev. Robert Lalor was ai)]>ointed \'icar General of the Diocese of
Dublin, Kildare and h-criis from 1594 to i6o(). He was arrested and
brou-ht to trial, Diivmler. i(x)0, accused of exercising foreign juris-
diction, and of dr:i\ing the King's spiritual supremacy. Sentence
of death was prououmcd against him, and a few days later he was
t'.\e( ut'd.--'
r.v L<it'is Pal, it, iv-u.'d |)v auihonty of Queen Elizabeth, one
.\k\.ind-r Ciaik'-, a Ba.hvlor of Divinity, and Dean of St. Patrick's,
'■' >;■-• l;t. Kcv. l'...tii.k l-i,m.is uf tlio l\il>.- m ceaseless warfare aii.i
Mor.i:iS " 11: u :y < i •'.;.; ('.c'o.hc conteiitinn with each other, and with
.\rf h! :^!; .;^ . ■ '. l>i;b;::!. miil.- th-. Rv- the inhal .Hants of the adjacent districts.
l,iv..<.'.:\"]' .',-. It w.is L'(iual!y hopeless and impolitic
V'^"?. ^'' ■■■■*■* ^^ ^ '• ^ ■■ Hi^torv• of to call upon the ]ieoplc at once to
Ifcli!'.^ " \>>l 1.1., th..-,- \iv.. pp. jjo .d)iiire the leli^^ion of their ancestors,
' •> -' * " .iud to siiliscnlie to new doctrines."
•»^ lic.'r;:::-,; ;, :!.,- Ais .,; tip- Iiidi '• SjuTch 01 Lord Clare in the Irish House
I'aftA.-.*.-:!'. ■■: !l.i» p-r. .5. ..M ! tl:- ol Lords, loih l'"cbruarv, 1800," p. 7.
»tt«r.;j=t» <i ICitu: n':,ry VIIL [., --iliis reasons to the Lord Deputy
r»:AV.;Ui t'ic K'-iv.-:...j:; :■. r.i hcl.ind. for reiii>in;_; t<:i take such an oath are
r.-» lc%i an *-.j;!;.ri!y Th.n L-rl (, l.w t,) l.r lound m a l>ook entitled " De
«.^t*jv«>. ll;.^l they co.i: 1 not !><• :,- l'r<)Ce.s-,u niartyriali," \e., printed at
if.ncilf*' tu ar.v p'ti-.i :pl.- of s,.unl Col.it^ne in i'mo.
I'^.Juy ar.(! J;-. tIiS, •■ It wxs ad.;. :.ir.iii n ^'^ See William Monck Mason's
..» {v-ij ctu.-.l w.ir, not .,::ly .i.:.unbt tiie " Hi-.torv and Antiquities of the Col-
n.iuvc Insli, but a;s.an',t tvcry pcr.sou l<-,.',i,uc 'and Cathedral Church of St.
of Kn^Iisli l,lo<>!. \%ho biid settled Paiiick, ne.ir Dublin," book li., chap.
l)cyona the limits of the Tale, and iii.. sect, iii., pp. 163, 1O4.
irom motives of personal interest ..r --^ See Harris' "\Vare," vol. i.,
convenience had formed cnneMoUs " liishops of Kildare," p. 391. Also
with t!ie native.-,, or adopted their laws Kt. Kev. Bishop IMoran's " Spicilegium
or cu.stoms ; and it had the lull elfect, Ossoriense," vol. i., p. 82.
wiiich might be expected; it drew 2 = ^ See 'ki. Rev.' Bishop Moran's
clo.'jer the conlcdi-racN it was meant " History of the .\rchbishops of Dublin,"
to (lis-.. .Ive. and impluated the colonv p. J 19.
no HISTORY OF THE OUEEN S COUNTY.
Dublin, was made Protestant I'.isliop of Kildare, while retainin;; both
benefices. But not content with these, he exchanged almost all the
manors and farms belon'^ing to the See with Patrick Sarsfield for some
tithes of little value. liy this exchange, he reduced the revenues of
Kildare to a shameful state of poverty'. He sat for only three years
and some months, when he died, a.d. 1563, according to Sir Jann's
Ware.-^*-' or in 1564, according to his editor, Walter Harris. -^^ He
was buried in St. Patrick's Church, Dublin, under the altar, at the north
side. -■^- By Letters Patent, and dated May 2nd, 1564, Robert Daly, Pre-
bendary of Clonmethan, succeeded, in the sixth year of Queen Elizabeth's
reign. He held his prebend in coinmendoDi. and the rectory of Swords
in the Diocese of Dublin, during his life. He was driven from his See
three different times, by the Irish enemy, and despoiled of his goods. -'-^^
In the winter of 1582 he died. Daniel Neylan, Rector of Iniscathy,
in the Diocese of Killaloe, was advanced to this See by the Queen's
letter, dated the 3rd of July, in the twenty-fifth year of her reign. He
was consecrated by Adam Loftus, Archbishop of Dublin,-^' in November,
1583. He died on the iSth of May, 1603, having sat for nineteen years
and six months. -^^ By Letters Patent, dated 9th of August, 1604, William
Pilsworth,a native of London, -^'^ and educated in Magdalen College, Oxford,
was appointed to this See, and he was consecrated on the iitli of Septeni-
i:»er following, at Balsoon, in the County I\Ieath, on account of a plague,
which then raged in Dublin.-^' He preferred a petition to the Privy
Council, for some remed\' to recover the lands alienated by his pre-
decessor Craike from his See, but without success ; and therefore, he
was determined to have a share in the spoil, by leaving his bishopric
poorer than he found it.-^s pje died at Naas, on the 9th of May, 1635.
He was buried at Dunfert, in the County of Kildare.
During his incumbency in 1615,-^-' Dr. James Talbot was Catholic
Administrator of the Kildare Diocese, and Vicar-General of the Dioceses
of Dublin and Kildare. Over the latter Diocese he was appointed
\'icar-Apostolic in 1617. -'^o On the nth of March, 1G21, Donatus
Dowling was appointed Vicar-Apostolic. Again, the name of Dr.
James Talbot appears as Vicar- Apostolic of Kildare, June 5th, 1623.
Both Dr. Matthews and Dr. Fleming, Archbishops of Dublin, made
application to the Holy See to have him appointed Bishop of Kildare,
but that appointment did not take place. On the 17th of Novembrr,
1629, Dr. Talbot was informed by J. A. Cardinalis Sti Onofrio, that his
230 See " De Prassulibus Lageni^e." -■''' According to Anthony Wood,
Episcopi Darenscs, p. 51. he was boru in Fleet street, a.d. i 5O0,
221 See voh i., " Bishops of Kildare," and was admitted into IMagdakn
p. 391. College, in 157S. See " Atlienae
23'.i See William j\Ionck Mason's ' Oxonienses," vol. i., p. 72^.
' History and Antiquities of the Col- -^' See Sir James Ware, " De Pra:-
legiate and Cathedral Church of St. sulibus Lagenice," Episcopi Darenses,
Patrick, near Dublin," book ii., chap. p. 52.
ui., sect, iv., p. 165. -"■'* According to Bisliop Dopping's
-33 See Sir James Ware, " De Pra3- Notes to tlu' Latin lulitiou of Ware's
sulibus LageniLC." Episcopi Darenses, IBishops, quoted m Harris' " Ware,"
p. 51. vol. i., " Bisho()s of fvildare," p. 92.
234 See an account of him in John -'•''•> At this year he is named in the
D'Alton's " Memoirs of the Archbishops " Liber Ivcgalis Visitationis."
of Dublin," pp. 240 to 250. 240 Accordmg to the Manuscripts of
235 See Sir James Ware, " De Prac- Father Luke Wadding, preserved in
sulibus Lagenice," Episcopi Darenses, the Franciscan Convent, Merchant's
p. 52. yuiiy. Dublin.
THE QUEEN S COUNTY PORTION OU KILDAICE DIOCESi:. I I I
office of Vicar-Apostolic of Kildaro had ceased by tlie .iiipointnient
of Rocco della Croce, viz., Roclie or Ross i\Iac ("icoghegan, a dibtinguislied
Dominican, on Januar}^ Sth, 1629, to be Bishop of Kildare. During
his term, he suffered much from persecution, being ol:)hged to fly from
place to place, thus concealing huusclf from his persecutors. He was
paralysed and helpless owing to other inlirmitios a considerable time
before his death, which happened before the month of June, 1644.-^1
Robert Ussher, son to Henry Ussher, Primate of all Ireland, succeeded
William Pilsworth, as Protestant Bishop of Kildare. He was educated
in Trinity College, Dublin, and regarded as a learned and an amiable
man. He was Prebendary of St. Audoen's Church, Dublin, in 1617,
and he was elected Provost of Trinity College, on the iGth of October,
1629,-^- Archdeacon of IMuath, he was consecrated in St. Patrick's
Cathedral, on the 25th of Februar}^ 1635. He took great pains in
soliciting tlie Parliament for an Act to recover the lands of his bi3ho]:)ric,
alienated through Craikc and Pilsworth, but without success.'-^^ \Vhen
the Irish Insurrection of 1641 broke out, he fled from his See to England,
and he died at Pantabirsly, September 7th, 1642. William Golbourne,
born \n Chester, a Bachelor of Divinity of the University of Dublin,
and Archdeaconof KiKlare, was consecrated t^i-dtcstant IH-hnp of the latter
Diocese in St. Patrick's, Dublin, December ist, 1644, ■»44 by Archbishop
Lancelot of that See. He died of the plagui' in Dublin, a.d. 1G50, and
he was buried in the Church of St. Nicholas Within tlie Walls. -^45
During this time and after the death of the Catholic Bisho]) Mac
Geoghegan, his Vicar-Cencral, James Dcmpsey, got charge of Kildare
Diocesf. In a congregation of Propaganda held at Ronie, June 15th,
1655, it was proposed to make him Vicar-General of Kildare Diocese.-"^
During the time of the Commonwealth, no Protestant Bishop of
Kildare seems to have been promoted. Next in succession to Golbournr,
however, was Thomas Price, a native of Wales, but educated in Trinity
College, Dublin, where he took the degree of Bachelor of Divinity and
became Senior Fellow.-''' He was ordained by Bishoj) Bedell, of Kilmon-,
to which See he was appointed Archdeacon, and he officiated as chaplain
to the celebrated James, Duke of Ormond. Through his interest. Price
was promoted by Letters Patent, dated March 6th, 1660, Englisli style, to
till.' See of Kildare, and the same day had his mandate for consecration,
.uul writ of 'cstitution to the Temporalities. He was consecrated on
the 10th of that month in Christ Church, by James Margetson, Arch-
l';^llop of Dublin. Bishop Dopping states, that through the negligence
ol himself or of his Registrar, he left the Diocese of Kildare mdebted
lo (lie knig for subsiches, in the sum of £217, and the Preceptory of
'I'tilly, which he held iii. cojiiineiuldiji with his Bishopric, in the sum of
(40. which his successor was obliged to pay. By virtue of a clause
1:1 tlu; .Act of Settlement, all the manors and estates formerly belonging
'" See r.ibhop Comerford's " Col- legiate and Catliedral Church of St.
lf» tiuiis rrl.itiii.,' to the IDiocese of Kil- Patrick," book li., cliap. lu., sect, xii.,
vl.iK- .md Lei'^hlm," vol. i., pp. 29 to 32. p. 1S7.
"^ See an account of liis ad- -*^ See Harris' " Ware," vol, i.,
ministration, in Dr. John Williaui " Bisl ops of K'lhhire," p. ^93.
Stiilibb' "History of the University 210 5^.^. jjj-. RIaziere Brady's " Epis-
<>i Dublin," chap, iv., p[). 61 to 6j. copal Succession."
'•^ Sfo Harris' "Ware," vol. i., -■'■''See Archdeacon Henry Cotton's
" Bi'^hops of Kddare," j). 393. " Fasti Ecclesiie Ilibernicai," vol. ii.,
'•' Sec William Monck Mason's " Province of Leinster, Diocese of
" History and .\nti')iiities of the Col- Kildare," p. 233.
112 IIISTOKV Ol' Tllli QUI-HN's COL'NTV.
to the See of Kiklare, and which had been forfeited to the kin,!,' throu!:^h
the Irish Rebelhon of 1641, might have been recovered.-'^ These were
the manors and lands, which Bishop Craike had exchanged, before the
restraming act,--*'^ with Patrick Sarsfield for some tithes of small value,
and which through the rebellion had been forleited by the latter. Bv
Letters Patent, dated May 30th, ibby, Thomas Price was translated
to the See of Casliel, and the same day had his restitution to the
Tempcra'ilies.-''*
Durmg his term, the Catholic Primate appointed the Abbe Gcraldine
to superintend the Diocese of Kildare, there l)eing then no Vicar-
General. -^^ C)n the I2th of May, i()7i, Propaganda selected Patrick
Dempsy to be Vicar-Apostolic of Kildare. and the Pope ratifud this
appomtment on the 26th of that month. Recommended by the Kn p2 or
of Austria, and owing to his own personal qualifications, Dr. ..lark
Forstal was elected Bishop of Kildare by Projxiganda on the Sth of
October, 1.676. In his time we learn, that his Diocese had only fifteen
priests, and that his income was only ("15 a year, so that owing to the
representations of the Primate, Dr. ()li\X'r Plunkett, and other Irish
Bishops to the Roman See, a Brief was issued on tlie 5th of September,
167S, whereby Dr. Forstal might hold the adjoining poor Catholic Diocese
of Leighlin in coinincndaDi together with Kildare. Even afterwards,
his life was one of misery, being obliged to dwell in a lun'cl or thatched
hut, rudely constructed and in a marshy wood, until, on the 25tli of
February, 16S1, he was arrested, without having any accusation Inought
against him, but that of his having exercised Pajxil jurisdiction in \he
Kingdom. When, after a long imprisonment, he was at length liberated,
the violence of religious persecution at the time obliged him to seek
safety in the woods and mountains, until on the 7tli of February, 1683,
as an exile his earthly career was closed in the Diocese of Casliel. After
the time of Bishop Forstal, in the Catholic arrangement, the two
Dioceses of Kildare and Leighlin have been unite'd under the rule of
one Prelate. "^-
On the ist of June, 1677, by Letters Patent, Ambrose Jones, -•^'' son to
Lewis Jones, Bishop of Killaloe,"^'* and brother to Henry J ones, -'^-^ Bi^hoj)
of Clogher. and then Bisliop of M(?ath, was made ProVslant Bishop of
Kildare, and had his writ of restitution the same &.\\. Together with it, he
held the Preceptory of Tully and the Prebend of JMaynooth in comuiendam.
-*8 " But either through his miserable 252 ^e^ Bishop Comerfonl's " Col-
spirit," remarlvs Bishop Dopping, " or lections relating to the Diocese of
mere slothfulness (who would not Kildare and Leighlin," vol. i., pp.
consult the interest of his See) an 37 to 42.
opportunity for this end was lost, 253 \\q ^vas a native of Ireland, and
which never can be redeemed. For he was educated in Trinity College,
being liy the Duke of Ormond made Dublin, On the 4th of February, 1600'
sure of his succession to the See of he was promoted by King Charles II.
Cashell, he refused to expend a penny, to the Archdeaconry of Mealh, then
or even to interpose his interest or in the gift of the Crown b}' lapse,
solicitation in so good a work ; although 254 ^ee Archdeacon Henry Cotton's
Ralph Wallis, and others, offered to " Fasti Ecclesiae Hibernica'," vol. 11.,
take the burden and charges of the " Province- of Leinster, Diocese ol
whole business upon themselves." Kildare," p. 233.
2-'3 Of King Charles I., sess. 4, stat. 10, 250 He was ajjpointed Vice-Chancellor
II, chap. 3. of Dublin University in 1646, and he
250 See Harris' " Ware," vol. i., continued to act as such, but did not
" Bishops of Kildare," pp. 393, 394. assume his title of Bishop. See Dr.
2''' See Maziere Brady's " Episcopal John William Stubbs' " History of the
Succession," vol. ii., pp. 345 to 349. University of Dublin," chap, iv., p. 90.
THE queen's county PORTION OF KILDARE DIOCESE. II 3
He was consecrated in Christ Church Cathedral, Dubhn, by Michael,
Archbishop of Dublin, assisted by Henry, Bishop of Meath. and Edward,
Ijishop of Killaloe, on the 29th of the same month. As Thomas Price,
on his advancement to the Archbishopric of Cashel, had left a charge
upon the See of arrears due to the Crown, Bishop Jones was obliged
t.- pay them without any re-imbursement made by the Archbishop.
Pjishop Jones preferred petitions to the Duke of Ormond for augmentation
of the revenues of his See ; but a bad state of health checked his en-
deavours, and thus his applications failed of success, He died in Dublin,
December 15th, 1678, and he was buried in St. Andrew's Church.'-'"^
In 1683 Edward Wesley was appointed by Propaganda, Catholic Bishop
of Kildare, with the See of Leighlin united under his administration.
He seems to have died towards the close of 1693, and in January, 1694,
he was succeeded by John Dempsy, the date for whose death has not
l)cen ascertained, but it happened several years prior to 1713.-"
Andrew Dopping, a native of Dublin, -^^ Fellow of Trinity College, '-^^^^
and Chancellor of the University, was riunlc Prutcstant Bishop of Kildare,
liy Lcltrrs Patent, dated January, 1678.-*^° He was consecrated in
Christ Church, February 2nd, and enthroned on the 25th of the same
month. -*^i In February, 1O81, he was translated to I\leath.-'''- He
then was admitted into the Privy Council on the 5th of April following,
and he continued there until the death of King Charles LI., and the dis-
solution of the Council by King James II., on the 2nd of February,
16S4. Dopping was one of the few Protestant Bishops who remained
in Ireland during that monarch's brief reign, and he was a stout defender
!it the interests of his co-religionists. As one of the five Protestant
hishops in the Irish House of Lords in the Parliament of James II.,
lOSi), he led the opposition to that monarch's measures with great
courage and pertinacity."^''' After the arrival of King William at Finglas,
:i. comjianied by others favouring the Revolution, Dopping presented
an address of congratulation.-'^' He died in Dublin, April 24th, 1697,
and hr v,\is liuricd in the familv vault in St. Andrew's Church. -'^^
He was succeeded in the See of Kildare by William Morton, -'^^ an
■if, <,,.^. liarris' " Ware," vol. i., the University of Dublin," chap, x., sec.
"Ui->:.'r;.b oi Kildare." p. -^O-i. ii., p. 376.
^•■•^'.•e I'.; !. ip Ciiinerford's "Col- -°^ lie resisted all the prineijial
1 tv.ii. re! ttm^ to the Dioceses of measures, and procured ,L;reat clian'-;es
Kil '..IT': .ill 1 l.'.iL:hliu," vol. i., pp. in them, as appears from the Journals
', I ' ■ 7 ' of the House of I,ords. See Thomas
'■•' I'-iv. tl'.'T'- M.irch cSth, 1643, Davis' " I^atriot Parliament of i''-<Sg,
^i'.\ <->'.iK. I •,■'.'. w. i\i<- s. lii.ol (if St. with its Statutes, Votes and Pro-
\'.:u i.'« <'.;'.!i<-.!r,i!. lie w.is adnutted ceedings," chap, ii., j^p. 16, 17. lulition
!.> the l.■I;»v^•r^!^\■. ?.I tv 5th, 1056. of Charles Gavan Dulf3^ London, 1893.,
"' I-'!cctc<l in lU-'J. and in i'.'><) he sm. 4to.
«*a.» miile Vjc.ir oi '-t. Andrew's, -"* 'I his i^ still preserved in the
iMjMin. H'- 1 'Ciinf <l.i'l.iin to tlie I.ilir,ir\- of Trinity Colle^r, Dulihn.
I>ukr <,f ();n '.1. S'- liaiiis' W.ive, See I 'r', I.'hu William Stubhs' "History
Vol 1.. " !■,. . -I's of Mil !. ire," jv I'l^. ot ilu' rinvci^ity of Dublin," appenilix,
"»Sr,- i<,,.ui,-y L.i- .•;■,■ •' I.ib.T pp. 3^7, 3^s.
MtiniTiini Publicnrurn llilrrni.e al> .\n. -"'■ ^-.ct ll.irris' "Ware," vol. i.,
iifj iiN.juc ad t>':7," v>.!. n.. p.irl. v.. " I'.i-hup^. of Meath," pp. 160, 161.
p. . 107. " 2-wi 11^. ^^..^y educated at Christ Church,
'" Sec .Xri hdtacon Cott m's " I-asii Oxforil, and he came to Ireland as chap-
l-"ec!csi.c Hihernic:!-," vol. ii., the Lain to the Karl of Oxford. Afterwards
I'riivincc of Lcinster. Diocese of Kild.ire, he became chaplain to James, Duke of
p. J'.'. Ormond. In 1^)77, he was promoted
■-''- ^■.e W. B. S. Taylor'.-, " History of to be Dean of Christ Church, Dublin.
I
114 HISTORY OF THE QUEENS COUNTY.
Englishman, promoted by Letters Patent, dated February I3tli, i68i.'-''''
Owing to the po\'erty of this See, he was allowed to retain his deanery
of Christ Church, i)i conuiicjidam, and the preccptory of Tully, in the
County of Kildare,-'^^ a practice which continued from that time till
the year 1846. Bishop Morton retired with all his family to England,
during the reign of King James IL In 1705, he was translated to IMeath.-*'^
On the 23rd of September, 1705, Welbore Ellis, -''''^ D.D., succeeded
by Letters Patent to the See of Kildare, and to the Deanery of Christ
Church, Dublin.-''- He was installed on the 12th of November. For
upwards of twenty-six years he presided. He was translated to the
See of Meath the 13th of March, 1731. He died on the ist of January,
1733.""^'" and on the 3rd, lie was buried with great solemnity in Christ
Church Cathedral, Dublin, where his monument is still to be seen.-"^
On the recommendation of " King James " — generally known as
the old Pretender — Propaganda appointed Edward Murphy, Vicar
General, to be Catholic i5ishop of Kildare and Leighlin, and he ^^as
accordingly consecrated by Edmund Byrne, Archl)ishop of Dublin,
on the i8th of December, 1715. In September, 1724, he was translated
^o the Archiepiscopal See of Dublin, over which he presided for the
five succeeding years. In 1724, Bernard Dunne succeeded as Bishop
of Kildare and Leighlin, and he ched a.d. 1733. That same year, Stephi'U
Dowdall succeeded him in office ; but he resigned the government of
both Dioceses before his death, and in r\Iay, 1737, Dr. James Gallagher,
Bishop of Raphoe, was translated to Kildare, being also declared ad-
ministrator of Leighlin. Before his death, which hap^Kmed in i75i,-''*
he lived much of liis time in a small cabin, near the Bog of Allen. -'^
On the i6th of March, 1731,"'" by Letters Patent, Charles Cobbe,
D.D., an Englishman, Protestant Bishop of Dromore,-77 was trans-
lated to Kildare. He was installed on the 22nd. In 1743, he was
raised to the Archbishopric of Dublin. In that city he died, on the
14th of April, 1765.-'^ George Stone, D.D., an Englishman, Dean of
Derry, and afterwards Bishop of Ferns, was translated to Kildare, by
Letters Patent, dated March 19th, 1743- -''' In 1745. lie was translated
2«'7 See Rowley Lascelles "Liber 274 y^g Bishop Comerlorcl's " Collec-
Mimerum Publicoruin riibeinia3 ab An. tions relating to the Diocese of Kildare
1 1 52 usque ad 1827," vol. n., part. 5., and Leighlin," vol. i., pp. 73 to 82.
p. 197. 275 Letter of his successor, Rt. Rev,
268 See Harris' "Ware," vol. i., James Doyle, dated Allen, 6th of May.
"Bishops of Kildare," p. 395. 1823, in William J. Fitzpatrick's "Life.
-^'•> See Archdeacon Cotton's " Fasti Times and Correspondence of the Right
Ecclesi.e Hibernicas," vol. ii.. The Rev. Dr. Doyle, Bishop of Kildare and
Province of Leinster, Diocese of Kildare, Leighlin," vol. i., chap, ix., p. 239.
p. 234. Dublin, 18S0. New edition.
2''u He was an Englishman by birth, and 27.) ^ee Rowley Lascelles' "Liber
educated at Christ Church, O.xford, where Munerum Publicorum Iliberniaj ab An.
his portrait is preserved in the hall. 1152 usque ad 1827," vol. ii., part v.,
271 See Rowley Lascelles' " Liber p. 197.
Munerum Piilihcorum Hiberniae ab An, 277 Hq h^,^ previously filled the See
1 152 usque ad 1827," vol. ii., par. v., of Killala by Letters Patent, dated May
p. 197. 30th, 1720. See Harris' " Ware," vol. i.,
2''2 See Harris' " Ware," vol. i.. Bishops of Killala, p. 656.
"Bishops of Meath," p. 164. Also 278 See Archdeacon Henry Cotton's
" Bishops of Kildare," p. 396. " Fasti Ecclesine Hibernicre," vol. ii.,
2 '3 See Archdeacon Cotton's " Fasti The Province of Leinster, the Diocese of
Ecclesiae Hibernicae," vol. ii.. The Dublin, p. 4?. Also the Diocese of
Province of Leinster, Diocese of Dublin, Kildare, p. 234.
pp. 45, 46, and n. 'b). Also Diocese 279 gge Rowley Lascelles' " Liber
oi Kildare, p. 234. Munerum Publicorum Hiberniae ab .An.
THE yUEEN S COUNTY PORTION OF KILDARE DIOCESE. II5
to Derry, and in 1747, he became Primate of Armagli.'-'^^' In this
capacity, he was charged with care of the EngUsh interest in Ireland,
and he was a man of talent, but of an ambitious, arrogant, and a
resolutely obstinate character. These dispositions rendered him un-
popular in the country at large. '■^^^ This prelate died in December, 1764.-^'-
Thomas Fletcher, D.D., Dean of Down in I73(), and in 1744 Bishop
of Dromore, was translated to Kildare by Letters Patent, dated May 14th,
1745. He died in Dublin, on the i8th of March, 1761, and he was buried
in the Cathedral of Christ Church. -'^^
During his time, the Ivev. James O'Keeffe, Parish Priest of TuUow,
County of Carlow, and Vicar-Capitular of the Diocese of Leigblin, was
elected Catholic Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin by Propaganda, and
his Brief is dated January 19th, 1752. He founded St. Patrick's College,
Carlow, which he had nearly built at the time of his death, September
irjth, 17S7, at the age of 85. In 1781, the Rev. Richard O'Reilly, Parish
Priest of Kilcock, was consecrated Coadjutor, Bishop of the Diocese,
but two years afterwards he was made Coadjutor and Administrator
ol Armagh, cum jure successionis. Afterwards, Bishop O'Keeffe selected
the Rev. Dr. Daniel Delany, C.C, of Tullow, to l)e his Coadjutor, and
he was there consecrated i'>ishop on the 31st of Augjjst, 1783. ''^■*
Thomas Fletcher, D.D., Protestant Bishop of Down, was succeeded
1)\' Richard Robinson, D.D., son to William, of ^Martin, Surrey, arm.,-"^^
and a student of Christ Cliurch, Oxford, -^^ who came to Ireland as
Chaplain to the Duke of Dorset, Lord Lieutenant. He became Bishop
of Killala in 1751 ; and in 1759 he was translated to the Sees of Leighlin
and Ferns. In 1761, by Letters Patent, dated April I3tli, he was trans-
lated to the See of Kildare and to the Deanery of Christ Church. On
May Kith, lie was enthroned. Afterwards, he was elevated to
till- PrniKi. \-, bv Letters Patent, dated January 19th, 1765.'*" That
same year Ch;irl'S j.uksdn. D.D., a native of Northamptonshire,
,ind fdurated at I^inmanuel College, Cambridge, having been
( h:iplain 1(; the \)\\]:r of P.edford, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, and
.idvancrd b\- hnn to tl:e bi-h"pric of Ferns in 17O1, afterwards became
l-iishoi) di Kildiire, tran>!.itril by Letters Patent, dated February ^^th,
1703. lb- w.!>- <:ith:iii!r 1 on the bth of June iollowmg. He (.lied a.d.
17>/J.--"' J'.\ I.etl'!.-, Patent.dated June 5th, i7<jo, the Rt. Rev. George Lewis
I ! : .: •.;•■;•.,'■ .il ' :~." v^l. n., j'.irt v., of n-^prctalulii y, and bom in 1709,
; ; >; 1:C was (.'ii^luh in cli.'->Lcnt Iri Jin William
»*- ^cp .vTtJ, V.i. :. H' :i:v r.'t'iwii's (A Krmlal. A \-cry lull ami conipletL-
■ 1 i--'.i i -'.rtij lii.. .-;:;. I-." vc], 11., aci^uinl of iliis ri'inarkalile prelate's
I : ' Tf. ...... T <..J l.i.Ui'.c. I'l'.^v-e of vairrr is to It Imm.l iu James Stuart's
Ki^'.A-c. }• ;j!i " lii-t'jrical Mnnoirs of the city of
'*' Srr l-|AJ.i;;» ri^j-A •••n'» " Hi-.', rv of A:inai:h." i!i,i]'. xxv., ])[). 444 to
|;fl»r.w, iu..u lt» Ir.vj.'! '-A v.r. '.' r \V my 4;-.
11." \ !. !i . i!;.i;'. IV., 5>j>. i:; i» u j. -• St c Jti.-.r|)li lAi-tcr's " Alumni
'•' r"'* /I:./ I h.ip. V 5>. I.;'. Ox'iuww-vi," Later Siries, L — R., p.
"»Vt .\r«.!H!«- .»....!> Ilr:;:y Cott^.n's uij.
"' I a,%ti Tc; l"- ■•».»: HjN r:jK.«-." vol. 11.. -""He died .it Clifton, near Bristol,
ll.r l'ri>v'.:n;c ol I.cin^tcr, ! >iai-c->i.> i.f in ( ictobcr, 1794, and he was interred
D'jf'ijn. pp. 46, .^7. Alv> thu l>iocL3e with due solemnity in a vault under
• ! KjKla.rc, pp. -34, ;.,;. Ai m.if^h Cathedral. See James Stuart's
'••Sec IJi-h' p C«.pincrforir3 "Col- "Historical Memoirs of the City of
IfCtiorvi rvlatm^ to the Dioc'-^e <>t Armagh," chap. .x.kv.
KiMwr and I.' i..;hlin," vol. i., pp. ■-^■' See .•\rchdcacon Henry Cotton's
-•-• t') iS7. " l'\isti Ecclesiai HiberniCcC," vol. 11.
2»' Ho \\a,i .1 IiiumI tleseemlant of the Tlie Province of Leinster, Diocese of
J<obiav)n-> of Ivjkeby, an atKi- nt family Kildare, p. 235.
1 1 6 HISTORY OF THE QUEEN's CCjUNTY.^
Jones, -^'■' D.D., was translated from the See of Ivihnore to tliat of Kildare,
and he was enthroned on the loth of Auyust. He died in London,
March ()th, 1804, aged 84 years.
On the death of Bishop O'Keeffe in 1787, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Delany
immediately succeeded him. This pious and amiable prelate departed
this hfe, July 9th, 1814. The Rev. Michael Corcoran, Parish Priest of
Kildare, succeeded to the Sees of Kildare and Leigiilin, on the 12th of
March, 1S15. He died at Tullow on the 22 nd of h\>bruary, 1819, and
he was there interred in the ])arish church.'-'"'
The Plon. Charles Dalrymple Lindsay, D.D., was son to John, Earl
of l^alcarres, in Scotland, and he was educated at Baliol Colle;j,e,
Oxford.-''' He came over to Ireland as cha[)hun and private secretary
to Earl Hardwicke, I^ord JJeutenant of Ireland. In 1803, he was ap-
pointed Bishop of Killaloe ; and by Letters Patent ,he was translated
to Kildare, on the 14th of May, 1804. He was installed Dean of Christ
Church on i\Iay iSth ; l)ut this patent being judged delectix'e in point
of form, a second was issued, dated August ist, when the Dean was
admitted on August 2nd, and installed on the 4th. He was a man
of acute mind, of singular industry, and of great talents for business.
He was a good scholar, of a refined taste, and a great proficient in and a
promoter of Church music. He was a nian of wide and general informa-
tion, and fond of literary pursuits. He was enthroned' Bishop of Kildare,
July, 6th, 1804. For forty-two years he watched actively over the
rights and privileges of Christ Church Cathedral. He died iii his house
at Glasnevin, near Dublin, on the 8th of August, 1846, in the eighty-
sixth year of his age. After his death, the revenues of the deanery
of Christ Church Cathedral were transferred t(j the Ecclesiastical Com-
missioners, and the Dean of St. Patrick's became also Dean of Christ
Clmrch. Lie was buried in this cathedral, where a monument bearing
a suitable inscription has been erected to his memory.-'- On his death
the Protestant See of Kildare was suppressed by Act of Parliament,
and it became united to that of Dublin,--'^ while the revenues of the
Kildare bishopric and also those of the deanery of Christ Church
were transferred to the Ecclesiastical Commissioners.-^^
On the 22nd of March, 1819, the Catholic clergy of the Diocese
assembled for the purpose of nominating a successor to Dr. Delany, and
chose James Warren Dovle, Professor of Theology in Carlow College as dif;-
nissiwHs. On tlie 8th of August the same >ear he was a])proved liy
the Pope, and on the 14th of November succeeding, he received Episcopal
Consecration in the old Parish Church of Carlow. The public career
of this illustrious Prelate has rendered him generally and justly cele-
brated. Notwithstanding declining health, especially towards the close
of his hfe, Dr. Doyle's labours were unremitting ; but on the 21st of
April, i8j4, a meeting of his clergy was sununoued to select for him
289 He was educated at Canibridi^'e, 202 gee Archdeacon Henry Cotton's
and he became chaplain to Earl Harcuurt "Fasti EcclesicC Hibernica'," vol. ii.
Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. In The Province of Leinster, Diocese of
1775, he Avas made Bishop of Kilmore. Dublin, yp. 48, 49.
He was installed Dean of Christ Church --'■' T.v the Act 3 and 4 of \\'ilUam
on the 31st July ,1700. IV., cliaj). 37.
= ■'" See Bishop Cnniorford's "Col- -"" Sc'c Archdeacon Henry Cotton's
lections relating to the Diocese of Kil- " Fasti 1'A-ciesia' Hibernica'," vuL ii.
dare and Lei'^hlin," vol. i., pp. 87 to 92. The Province of Leuister, Diocese of
-»i See Joseph Foster's "Alumni Kildare, p. 23^.
Oxonienses," Later Series, I, — K. p. S:;3. -''^ See a full and very interestin^i;
THE queen's county portion of leighlin diocese. 117
a Coadjutor Bishop in the person of Rev. I'dward' Xohm di''mssimu,
and this choice was afterwards confirmed hv tlie Pope Dr Doxle
expired on Sunday, June 15th, iS34.'--'^ Ih: Nolan was consecrated
B,shop on the i8th of October following, but his Episc^.al career w "
rti rrP^^'Tr''' ^' 'ir'] °t,typ''"^ fe^er on tlie i4tli of October,
T.'^.l?- The Rev. Franeis Halv, Parish Priest of Kilcock, and Ins cousin
■u-as elected as a successor, and on the 2Sthof j\Iarch iS^S he was ro./
.^crated in the Cathedral of Carlow. llns accomplished and vnrable
IWe died on the rgth of August, 1S55, ni the 74th year of his age
Ihe kev. Dr. James \VaIshe was nominated to succeed, approved
1 n':' 1"'"" "r .^f^ecra^^d Bishop, March 30th, 1856. His stTength
hulmg, he applied for a Coadjutor, and Dr. James L^•nch of Glasox,w
Diocese was appointed as such in i86a.-'-'<5 The .Most Rev. Dr Wa?she
died on the 5th of Marcli, 1888,2.7 and liis Coadjutor Dr. Bynch
succeeded. Jiut as he had borne 1lie burden of the episcojuicy for manv
years, being now at an advancM age, and with enfeebled" heahh he
required a Coadjutor bishop, and accordingly the Very Rev. Micha-l
Comerford, P.P. of Monasterevan, was nominated in r8S8 and consecrated
on tho_ ist of January 1 88y. He was the author of several works
the chief one of these being "Collections relating to the Diocese of
,'r^'^ and Leighhn, which appeared m three octavo volumes 188]-
tu^' 11, T'^' ''^y"''f ''''*'■'' compiled and ^irranged with f2reat
abour, skdl and rescarcli, has juoved most useful as a book of reference
for many of the statements herein set forth. The Most Rev Dr
Comerlord did not long survive his advancement to the episcopal dignity'
and he departed this lite on the qth of August, 1805.-"-'^ The Wrv
evlatnck Foley, D.D. President of 0?!-^ College, was selected
to hll the position rendered vacant by his death ; and, on the 31st of
May 1896, he was consecrated Coadjutor, Bishop of Kildare and
Tn f ;' n f ''^^'\^^'"^^^^le Dr. James Lynch departed this life on the
iQth ol December, the same year,-*-' and the Most Rev. Patrick Foley
immediately succeeded him as Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin
CHAPTER TH -The Queen's County. Portion of Leighlin Diocese.
As a considerable portion of Leix is included m the Diocese of Leighlin,
It may be well briefly to designate the Bishops who governed that See
recordT vL"? 'f p'l''" 'f ""^ ""' ''""^''^ --P^'^^ ^^°- ^-thent c
n fh ; ? first Bishop St. Laserian,! the founder, flourished early
m the seventh century. He chose old Leighlin, within the present
b- nl ^of tllT ^^>'' ""^ "^ ^'" ^°"'^^>^ of'Carlow. near the western
in ml ll Vh u "''"'"' ^^' "^" ^'^^^ ^"^" ^ ^"^^^'-^""^ establishment,
aiond which m aftcrtimes grew a considerable town. He died on the
ibth ot April, A.D. 638 or 039. 2 The list of his immediate successors
SrS's °''S 't- '''"'■-", J- i-tz- KUdare and Lei.hlin." vol. i.. pp. 92
Patricks I^ile, Times, and Corrcs- to 164 • 1 1 y-'
DoylTB^lf^^^^^^^^ ^-- For his Memoir see the "Irish
Diibhn 1S80 edition, -^^ S,.^ ^lie Irish Cathohc Directory "
■I'jii i;l„ tt' 1 ^ r '"■" ^^9^- Memoir, pp. i6o ^61
kc'tions re aS°P to ^''"n^'' " ^°'; . ''' ^'^ ^^^ " ^"^^ ^a^tEoul Dir'e^tory"
sections relating to the Diocese of for 1S9S. Memoir, pp. 354 to 357.
IlS HISTORY OF THE QUEEN's COUNTY.
does not seem to be known. However, tlie Anna's of Leinster record
the death of one INIancliin at a.d. 865. Ap;ain, Condla MarDunecan,
called Bishop and Prince of Lcighlin, is noticed at A D. 943. Danit'l
died in 969. Cleirec O'Muinic died a.d. 1048.3 Condla O'Flain died
A.D. 1113. Sluagad O'Catan died a.d. 1144.4 Dungall O'Cellaic,
Bishop of Leighlin, assisted at the Synod of Kells in 1152, and he died
that same year. In 1138, Donat was Bishop of Leighlin. He died a.d.
1185, and he was buried in his Cathedral Church. A Cis'ercian monk,
named John, Abbot of ^Ionastere\in, ^ was canonically ejected to be
Bishop of Leighlin, in the year 1198. It would seem, that John, King
of Ireland and Eaid of Moreton, through his Lord Justiciary of Ireland,
Hamon de Valois, or Hanno de Valois, opposed that election. The
Bishop-elect was obliged to go to Rome for his consecration. Pope
Innocent III. wrote a sharp letter to the Earl of Moreton on this matter,
commanding the Earl not to molest, either in spirituals or temporals,
a Bisho]:) consecrated by himself. In another letter he orders, that the
Bishop sliall be subject to no excommunication, save that of the Pope
only. This Bishop died about the year 1201. 7
That same year, Herlewin, a Cistercian monk, became Bishop of
Leighlin. He died in 1216 or 1217. s In the latter year, Richard o
Robert Fleming became Bishop of Leighlin. He had a great contes
for some lands and tithes in Leix, 9 with the prior of Gonall. It was
settled by composition. 1° He died in 1226. Without a royal licence
being first obtained, the chapter and clergy of Leighlin Diocese elected
William, its Archdeacon, as bishop of the vacant See. " Afterwards,
they wei'e ol)]iged to sue out letters patent, certifying what was contrary
to the tact, that a coiv^e d'elire had been issued, lest such a precedent
should turn to the prejudice of the royal prerogative. It would seem,
that before the year 1247, the mountains adjoining Leighlin afforded
secure retreats for predatory bands, who caused great losses to fall en
the clergy and people frequenting that city. Whereupon, the Bishop
and Chapter represented to Pope Innocent III., the desirability of re-
moving the Bishop's seat to some place, which might afford better
security. ^~ Bishop William died A.D. 1251, and he was buried in his
own ciiurch. '3
1 His feast occurs in the Irlsli 1° Tlie Bisliop gave up tlie lands and
Calendars at tlie iStli of April. tithes to tlie I'rior, reserving a pension
- See Rev. Michael Comerlord's "CoUec- of ten marks ]Kival)le annually to him
tions relating to the Dioceses of Kildare and to his successors in the See of
and LeighUn,"vol. i., Bishops of Leighlin, Leighlin.
pp. 43._.44- ^^ l^itent Rolls of Chancery 13,
^ See Sir James Ware, " De Pnx'sulibus Henry IH. memln-ane 12 tiitits.
Lagenia;," Episcopi Leghlinenses, p. 92 12 Qn this subject tlie Pope desired
* See John Rj^an's " History and further advice in a letter addressed
Antiquities of the County of Carlow," to the Archbishop of DubUn and
chap, ii., pp. 25 to 33. to the Prior of the Church of
^ See Harris' " Ware," vol. i., the INIost Holy Trinity. This was
" Bishops of LeighUn," p.p. 454, 455. written from Lyons oii the Sth of
^ It was also called the I\Io)iastdrium the March Kalends and in the fifth
de Rosea Valle. year of his pontificate, a.d. 1203.
■' See Bishop Comerford's " Collections See Augustine Theiner's " Vetera
relating to the Dioceses of Kildare and Monumenta Hibernorum et Scotorum
LeighUn," vol. i., pp. 46, 47. Ilistoriam illustrantia," CXXX, p. 49.
^ According to the Annals of St. Rom.e, 1864, fob
Mary's Abbey near Dublin. i-'See Harris' "Ware," vol. i.,
^ These he claimed as belonging to his " Bishops of LeighUn," p. 456.
See. 11 See Theiner's " Vetera i\Ionumenta
THE queen's county PORTION OF LEIGHLIN DIOCESE. II9
A certain Thomas was elected by the Chapter Bishop of Leighhn
on the 22nd of April, 1252, in virtue of tlu' King's congt^ (Velire.
He was the first who bestowed Prebends among the Canons. He died
A]-»ril 25th, A.D. 1275. On the i6th of November, 1275, Nicholas Chevers,
a Franciscan friar, and Archdeacon of Leighlin. was elected by the
Chapter, as Bishop of that See ; and Pope John XX f. issued a commis-
sion on the 2Sthof September, 1276, to enquire if he had I~)een canonically
elected, before confirmation should be obtained. ^4 However, he was
not consecrated, nor restored to the Temporalities before the year 1277.
He died Jul 3^ 20th, A.D. 130c), at a very advanced age. Having been
lawfully elected on the 13th November, 1309, Maurice of Blanchevill,
Canon of Leighlin, was confirmed Bishop of that See. He died a.d. 1320.
On the 5th of November, 1320, Miler le Poer, Chantor of Leighlin. was
elected Bishop of that See, the King having issued his licence to the Dean
and Chapter. On the 29th of January, he was confirmed by the Metro-
])olitan, Alexander Bicknor, Archbishop of Dublin. Afterwards, on
Palm Sunday, 1321, he was consecrated at ^^'aterford. ^5 He died in
1341. In 1341, William St. Leger was elected Bishop of Leighiln.
His death took place in the beginning of IMav, 1348. '^
In 1343 there is a brief of Pope Clement VI. given at Avignon, and
dated Fel^ruary i6th, which appoints one Radulphus over this See. ^'
In the year 1345, he was translated to the Metropolitioal See of Cashel.^s
Bishop Wilham died at Avignon about the beginning of May, a.d. 1348.
In 1349, Thomas of Brackenbury, a Franciscian friar, was advanced by
papal provision of Clement VI., i8th of March, in the seventh year of
liis pontificate, to be Bishop of Leighlin. On the 5th of August of that
year, he was restored to the Temporalities of his Sue. He died about the
month of July, in the year 1360. From 1360 to 1363 the See of Leighlin
was vacant, when, by papal provision, John Young, Treasurer of
Leighlin, succeeded as 13ishop. He was restored to the Temporalities of the
See by King Edward III., on the 21st September, 1363. '9 He appears
to have resigned the administration. This See became vacant before the
3rd March, 1731, as we learn from a Brief of Pope Gregory XL from
/vvignon, and bearing this date, appointing as his successor one
Philip Pcter,-*^ about whom little seems to be known. For the
twenty-one years John Young survived, this Bishop was successively
deputy to Alexander Balscot, Bishop of Meath, and to John Troy, Lord
High Treasurers of Ireland. He died towards the close of the year 1384.
In 1385, John Griftin, Chancellor of Limerick, was appointed to the See
ot Leighlm. He was likewise made Chancellor of the Exchequer, by
the King in 1391. On the 26th of August, 13S9, King Richard II. issued
a writ m his lavour,-^ as the Bishop had no place for his abode in the
Ihbcrnorum ot Scotornni Historiam -i He obtained the village of Galroes-
illiistrantia," p. 117. town, with all its appurtenances, in the
" See Sir James Ware, " De Proesuli- County of Dublin. This was part of
bus Lageniai." Episcopi Leghlinenses, the pcjsscssions of the See of Killaloe,
p. 9'). and then in the King's hands during
>" See ibid. p. 97. that vacancy caused by the death of the
'^ See Thciner's "Vetera ^lonumenta late Bishop, the Bishop succeeding having
Ilibernorum et Scotorum Historiam illus- been a mere Irishman and abiding among
trantia," p. 2S0. Irish enemies. Under such custodium,
"* See i^!(/. p. 284. Pishjp Griihn held Galroestown until
'" According; to Friar Clynn . September, 1391, when IMatthew
20 See Theiner's " Vetera Monumenta JNIacCragh was restored to the tenipo-
Hibernorum et Scotorum Histonam ralities of Killaloe.
ilhistrantia, p. 342. -2 See William JNlaziere Brady's " Epis-
I20 HISTORY OF THE QUEENS COUNTY.
Diocese of Leighlin, it having been destroyed by Irish enemies. This
Sec the Bishop resigned in 1398, he having been translated to that of
Ossory.
On December ist, 1400, having been appointed by Pope Boniface
IX., ^- Richard Rocomb or Boknm, alias Boolam, a Dominican f; iar, -i
became Bishop of Leighlin. While he governed this See, it was reckoned,
that there was eighty-six burgesses, who inhabited that city. However,
it was plundered and destroyed, owing to the wars then waged by the
Irish against the English. In 1420, Richard, Bishop of Leighlin, re-
signed liis See. -i- It having been vacant for two years, John Mulligan,
Rector of Lynn in the Diocese of Meath, by provision of Pope Martin
v., became Bishop, and on the ist of September, 1422. 25 He is said
to have instituted four petty Canons ni his Church. He ched, in 1431,
at Leighlin, and he was buried in his own Church, -^ beside tlie tomb
of Gurmund the Dane.
By papal provision of April 2Sth, 1432, Thomas Fleming, a
Franciscan friar,^? became bishop of Leighlin.-S Llowcver, Dowling say^
that he was an Augustan Canon of St. Johti the Evangelist, at Kilkenny.-')
Soon afterwards, the ancient Priory of Leighlin, by authority of Pope
Eugenius IV., was dissolved, at the instance of Nicholas Coal, Dean of
Leighlin. Its lands were afterwards annexed to the deanery. In 1430
this Bishop was fined for non-attendance at a Parlicunent held in Dublin,
by Richard, Duke of York. Thomas F^leming was in the See, a.d. 1458.
The next Bisho};) was Dermicius, or Dermod, of whom nothing more
appears to be known, ^'^' he being only mentioned m the provision of
his successor. 31 ]ililo Roch, or De Rupc, who was distinguished for
his love of poetry and music, became l->ishop of Leighlin, by papal pro-
vision of Pius II., on the 3rd of February, 1464. 3- Between himself
and his chapter mutual discords arose. He died in the year 1480, and
he was buried in his own Cathedral, before the image of St. Laserian. ^J
By papal provision, Nicliolas Mac Gwire, born in Idrone, educated in
Oxford Universit}', and distinguished for his learning, was advanced to
the See of Leighlin, 21st April, 1490, when he had not yet completed
his thirty-first 5'ear, He wrote a Chronicle ; 34 from which Thady
Dowling 35 derived great assistance in compiling his annals. 36 Bishop
Mac Gwire l)egan many other learned works, but he did not live to finish
any. He died a.d. 1512 37
copal Succession in England, Scotland -'^ See W. Ma, -ji^rc Brady's " Episcopal
and Ireland, a.d. 1400 to 1875," tV'c, Succession," i\:c., vol. i., p. 384.
vol. i., p. 383. 32 See VV. Maziere Brady's •' Episcopal
23 See De Burgo's " Ihberma Domini- Succession," cS;c., vol. i., p. 384.
cana," cap. xiii. sect xxix pp. 468, 46?. ,3 5^^ Harris' " Ware," vol. ..,
"See Sir James Ware, De Prassuli- „ 3^^^ ^^ Leighlin," p. 4^9-
bus Lagenue, p. qb. li t* /• .^u ^tc t
05 gp|; jY)/(/ n on ■'■'■ '^^'^^ preserved in the Mb. known
28 See Harris' '" Ware " vol i ^^ ^^® Yellow Book of Leighlin, to-
•• Bishops of Leighlin," ]>p. 455 to 459. " R^-'^^ier with further collections made by
"See Luke Wadding's Annnles, ,^ ^.';;'|",^^ Waterfeld, Archdeacon of
IMinorum," tomus v., p. 244. Also i-eighhn.
Regest. Pontif., ibid., p. 198. ^n j.je ,^vas Protestant Dean of Leighlin
2s See W. Maziere Brady's " Epis- and he died there in 1628, in the 84th
copal Succession," &c., vol. i"., p. 384. year of his age.
29 This statement, however, is ^s intituled " Annales Breves Hiber-
erroneous. nije," edited liy the Very Rev.
30 See Rev. M. Comerford's '' Collec- Dean Richard Butler, A.B., M.R.LA.,
tions relating to the Diocese of Kildare and published by the Irish Arch-
and Leighlin," vol. i., p. 51. aeological Society, Dublin, 4to, 1849.
THE OUEFN'S county PORTION OF LEIGIILlfj DIOCESE. 121
By provision of Pope Julius II., and at the instance of Christopher
Bambrid,i;e,3S Cardinal Archbishop of Yorlc, Thomas Halsay was
appointed Bishop of Lciglihn, in 1515. Ho\ve\-er, Halsay never saw his
bishopric. He assisted at the Lateran Council in 1515 and 1516. Lie
governed Leidilin through liis Vicar-General, Charles Cavenagh, Abbot
of Dnisk. Bishop Halsay was appointed the Pope's Penitentiary for
Ireland. He died about tlie year 1521,^'-* and he ^vas buried in the church
of the Savoy Hospital, in London."^ I\Iaurice Doran, or O'Deoran, 4r
was born in Leix, and he was either a Franciscan or a Dominican friar .42
He was appointed Bishop of Leighlin, January 28th, 1524.44 He was
eminent for his probity of manners, and for his eloquence in preaching.45
He governed tlie See for one year and eight months onlj^ when about
the end of 1525, he was villainously murdered by his own Archdeacon,
Maurice Cavanagh,4'^ whom he had reproved for his insolent obstinacy
and other crimes. This murder took place on the high road, near Glen
Reynold. Afterwards, that traitor and parricide was apprehended,
and by order of the Lord Deputy, Gerald, Earl of Kildare, he was executed
on the very spot where he had committed such a detestable crime.-
By provision of Pope Clement VII,, on April nth, 1527, Matthew
Saunders became Bishop of Leighlin. 48 He was born near Drogheda.
He rebuilt tlic choir of the Cathedral of St. Laserian, iind he also erected
and glazed tlie south window. Afterwards, it has been supposed, he re-
nounced the Pope's authority, and supported the Reformation, during
the reigns of IIenr\^ VIII. and Edward VI. But, there does not appear
to be any direct proof that such was the case. He died on the 24th of
December, 1549. ^^' ^^''^^ buried in the Catliedr.il Church, under a marble
monument. ■''■*
In 1550, Ro1)ert Travers was appointed Protestant Bishop of Leighlin
by King Edward VI. He is described by Thady Dowling, the Protestant
Chancellor of Leighlin, as " cruel, covetous, vexing his clergie."'^'^
Being afterwards charged with his marriage, contrary to the Catholic
discipline, by George Dowdal, Archbishop of Armagh, William Walsh,
Bishop of Meath, and Thomas Leverous, Bishop of Kildare, he was
deprived of the See in 1555,^^ during the reign of Queen Mary, who
came to the throne in 1553. Translated from the See of Achonry on the
30th of August, 1555, Thomas Field, or O'Fihely, a Frarxiscan friar,
and a native of the County of Cork, was appointed to succeed him, by
37 See W. Maziere Brady's " Episcopal *^ Thady Dowling adds " castus a
Succession," &c., vol. i., pp. 384, 385. nativitate." — " Annales Breves Hibcr-
The life of this Larned and respected ui,e," p. 34.
prelate was written by his chaplain, -"^ Called ]\Iac-an-Abbaidh Mac
Thomas Brown. It seems to have been Murrough, by the Four INIasters, at .a..d.
lost.
1525.
38 Then resident Ambassador at "'^ See Harris' "Ware," vol. i., " Bishops
Rome from King Henry \'lll. of Leighlin," p. 461. Also W. RlaziL-re
33 See W. JMaziere Brady's " Episcopal J5rady's " Episcopal .Succession," i\:c..
Succession," ^Sic, vol. i., p. 385. vol. i., pp. 3S5 to 3S7.
" See Harris' "Ware," vol i., " Bishops *8 See l\cv. M. Comerford's " Collec-
of Leighlin," pp. 460, 461. tions relating to the Dioceses of Kildare
*i See Sir James Ware "EpiscopiLegh- and Leighlin," vol. i., p. 56.
linenses," pp. loi, 102. *» See John Ryan's " History and
*2 Sometimes called Durand. .Antiquities of the County of Carlow,"
*3 According to De Burgu's " Hiber- chap, xviii., p. loi.
nia Dominicana," cap. xiii, sect. Ivi., p. ''" See " Annales Breves Hibernise," p.
485. 38. Edited by Dean Butler.
** See W. Maziere Brady's " Episcopal ^^ See Harris' "Ware," vol.i., " Bishops
Succession," &c., vol. i., p. 385. of Leighlin," p. 461.
122 HISTORY OF THE QUEEN S COUNTY.
papal provision. It is stated^ that he conformed to the Protestant relitpon
after Elizabeth succeeded to the English throne, a.d. 155S. About 1565,
he was joined in Commission with the Earls of Kildare, Ormond, and others,
for the reformation of religion. However, there are no positive proofs to
show that he acted upon it, or that this Bishop abandoned the Catholic
faith. 52 He died the Friday before Palm Sunday, m the year 1566.
He was buried in the same tomb with his predecessor, Saunders. S3
Bishop O'Fihely was succeeded by a Catholic Bishop of Leighlin, named
William Opliily, about whom little is known. After his death on the nth
of Se]~)teml)er, 1587, a Spanish Franciscan friar named Francis de Ribera
was n >minated at Rome to succeed. He died at Antwerp in 1604 ; but
tliere is no evidence to show that this prelate ever came to Irelancl.
By letters patent of Queen Elizabeth, and dated 7th of May, in the
ninth year of her reign, Daniel or Donald Cavaii, ;;jh was appointed
Protestant Bishop of Leighlin. He made long leases of the sce-lands,
for which he exacted large fines, which caused only small rent^ to be
reserved for his successors. He died on the 4th April, 15S7. After his
death, the Queen granted the See of Leighlin, in comincudam, and during
the vacancy, to one Peter Corse, Archdeacon of Leighlin. ^-^
For two years, the Protestant See of Leighlin was \Ticant, as Cavanagh
!iad left it destitute of a suitable revenue. At that time Sir John Perrot,
Deputy, had a Welsh chaplain, named Richard Meredith, appointed
Rector of Loughrea, in the Diocese of Clonfert, who accepted the charge
in 1589, by Queen's Elizabeth's letters patent, 55 which contained also a
clause granting the deanery of St. Patrick's in conuih'iiihuii, " on account
of the poverty of the See." However, the very year of his advancement,
he was conhned a close prisoner to the Tower, and fined £2,000 in the
Star Chamber. In consideration of this fine being remitted, he granted
to the Queen 300 marks -per anmtm, out of his deanery, for ten years.
He repaired the episcopal residence at Leighlin. 5*^ He died in Dublin,
on the 3rd of August, a.d. 1597, and he was btiried on the north side
of St. Patrick's Church, under a marble monument, near the steeple. 5/
Having been vacant for nearly three years, Robert Grave, Dean of Cork,
was selected as Protestant Bishop of Leighlin, in 1600 ; howe\-er, that
verv same year, intending to sail for Wexford by sea, a storm arose
and the vessel was cast awaj' in the harbour of Dublin, where he perished. 58
Soon afterwards, the Sees of Leighlin and Ferns were united, in the
Protestant arrangement, July 17th, if)Oo. This step was suggested
no doubt, through the detriment done to the revenues of the former
diocese. 59
■'- See Rev. M. Comerford's " Collec- was the income of the deanery reduced
tions relating to the Dioceses of Kildare to a vrry binall amount, the Bishop and
and Leighlin," vol. i., pp. 58, 59. chapter havin^; joined with the Dean in
^3 See John Ryan's " History and coniirming a fee-farm lease of its posses-
Antiquities of the County of Carlow,'' sions, at a rent of ten pounds per annum,
chap. XX., p. lo.s. '^'^ Being decayed through lapse of
•"'* See Harris' "Ware, " vol. i., " Bisho[)s time, a new monument was erected in
of Leighlin," p. 462. I734. '^t tlie expense of three of his
■'^ Dated 13th of April, in the thirty- descendants, viz. : Richard Meredyth,
first year of her reign. Esq.. Shrowland, County Kildare,
^'' The economy estate, although pro- Charles I^Ieredyth, Dean of Ardfert ; and
ducing an income of sixty pounds per Arthur l^rancis Meredyth.
annum, was demised, however, about ^^ See ibid., p. 462.
this time to a sou of Bishop Meredyth ^^ Sec John Ryan's " History and
for a term of sixty-one years, at a re- Antiquities of the County of Carlow,"
ser\'cd rent of £4. 12s. ; in a similar way chap, xx., p. 104.
THE queen's county PORTION OF LEIGHLIN DIOCESE. I23
Nicholas Stafford, who was Chancellor of Ferns, succeeded Robert
Grave, in the united See of Leighlin and Ferns, by letters patent, dated
July 19th, in the forty-third year of Queen Elizabeth's reign. He was
consecrated March i8th (old Englisirstyle), lOoo. He governed the
united Sees, on the death of Bishop Grave, for three \-ears and eight
months. 60 He died November 15th, 1O04, and he was buried in St.
Mary's Church, 61 Wexford. He was succeeded by Thomas Ram, who
had come over to Ireland, as chaplain to Robert' Earl of Essex, in
1599. *^2 He was consecrated Bishop of Leighlin and Ferns, ]\Iav 2nd,
1605, by Henry Ussher, Archbishop of Armagh, in Christ Church
Cathedral, Dublin. <j3 In a return he made to a Regal Visitation held in
1613, he complains, that at the time of his advancement, the revenues
of his See had been reduced from /400 or £500 per annum to /G6 6s. 8d.64
He built an episcopal house at Old Leighlin, for the benefit of hrssucc < -sors,
and left behind him a Hbrary for the use of his clergy. He acquir. d an
estate for himself in 1015,^5 at Gorey, on which he built a chapel.
From the Regal Visitation Book of 1615, it appears that the Diocese of
Leighlin then consisted of se\'cnt3'-cight jvirishes, and it was divided into
the six following rural deaneries, viz., i, Odrone deanery, containing
twenty-five parislies ; 2, Tullophelim, sixteen parishes ; 3, Forte, nine
parishes ; 4, Lexia, seven parishes ; 5, Omboy, seven parishes ; and 6,
Margee, alias Bargee, seven parishes. Ot the partehes. three were pre-
bendal, in::. : Tullomagrinah, Ullard and Aghold. To the Cathedral
belonged an economy fund arising out of the rectories of Balleroyle,
Canngston, Crecoyne, Monelecuffe, Painstowne, Rathill, Tullowcrine,
and Sleguffe. During the time of Thomas Rain, a Rev. Matthew Roche
seems to have been the Catholic Vicar-Apobtolic over Leighlin, and his
name occurs in documents bearing date 1623, 1624 and 1630. At the
Provincial Synod held at Tyrocher, on July 29th, 1640, the Diocese ot
Leighlin alone was unrepresented. Thomas Ram died in Dublin,
November 24th, 1634, i^^ ^he seventieth year of his age, and his body
was buried in his own chapel at Gorey. 66 As a punishment for his opposi-
tion to the Earl of Strafford, the Dean of Limerick, George Andrew, w^as
appointed to be Bishop of Leighlin and Ferns ; 67 and accordingly, he
was consecrated on the i6th of May, 1635, 6S by Lancelot, Archl:)ishop
''"See IlariLs' " Ware," vol. i., "Bishops estate ilescended to his children. Bishop
of Fei 118," p. 447. Ram married y?;-ij/, Jane Gillord, widow of
*' Under the same tomb with his pre- Mr. Thompson, and by her he had one
decessor, John Devereux, who was son, Thomas, and four daughters, Grace,
Bishop of Ferns from a.d. 1560 to Susan, Jane and Anne. lie married
157S. .<i-i-o//i//j', x\nne, daughter of Robert
"-See Sir Bernard Burke's " Genea- Bnwen, I'-S'i-, of IJallyadams, Queen's
logical and Heraldic History of the Landed C(junty, and had three sons by her,
Gentry of Great Britain and Ireland," for Robert, Abel, — who succeeded to his
1882, vol. ii., pp. 1331, 1332. estates — Henry, and one daughter,
^■^ The See of Dublin was then vacant. Eli/.ibcih.
"^ Al a \^i^itation field afterwards in '''' .Ses Harris' " Ware," vol. i., "Bishops
1622, he attributes its decay to the fact of Iciu-," pp. 447, 448.
that his predecessors — especially Alex- ^'' As chairman of a committee iu the
ander and John Devereux — had pas-ed Lower House of Convention, he had
awry, in fee or by long leases, the manors opposed establishing the articles and
and lands belonging to the See and with can ms of the Churcli in Ireland upon the
smaller reseived rents than lay on them in same fooling with ihose in England, as
1415. See MS. Loflus, in Marsh's Librar)\ .Vrchbishup Lautl had desired. Strafford
Dublin. characterized hii bishopric as one of the
*^ The I'lantati(.in of ^Ve.\ford, by meaiu-st in the whole kingdom.
James I., had then taken place, and that '''^ Sec William Monck Mason's
124 HISTORY OF THE QUEEN's CorNTY.
ft
of Dublin, in St. Patrick's Cathedral. During the Insurrection Avhich
followed in 1641, he was obliged to fly into England, where he li\x'd m
obscurity for several years, and he died in London, October, i()48.'^y
After his death, the Protestant Sees continued vacant until the restora-
tion of King Charles II.
On the loth of ]\Iarch, 1642, Dr. Edmund Denipsey or O'Dempsy,
who belonged to the Dominican Order, 7" was aj^jiointed at Rome Bishop
of Leighlin. His early studies were made at Douav and LoiUciin. In
1624, he entered on the Irish Mission ; and in i()35. he was unanunousK-
chosen as Provincial of the Dominican (^idcr in Ireland. He took an
active part in the proceedings of the Confederate Catholics alter his
episcopal appointment, and he was opposed to the party of C)rmond.
\Vhen the Papal Nuncio, Rinuccini, sailed from Galway Bay on the 2 ;rd
of February, 1649, the persecutions, suiterings and i-)rivations of the Irish
Catholics under the Cromwellians commenced ; l)ut Dr. O'Dempsy
remained in the country for three years afterwards, constantly exposed
to great personal risk and danger, until destitute of all hunicUi aid, he
escaped to Spain before the year 1653. He remained in Cillicia until
his death, which took place at St. Clary's, Einistfrre, in or belure the year
1661.71
Robert Price, a native of Wales and Dean of Connor, was consecrated
Protestant Bisliop of Eerns and Leighlin, in St. Patrick's Cathedral,
Dublin, January 27th, 1660./- He died in DuljJin, on the 26th of ^lay,
i6()6, and he was buried in St. Patrick's Cathedral. 73
In that year John Deoran was the Catholic Vicar-General of Leighlin.
Richard lioyle. Dean of Limerick, was made Protestant Bisho]) of Leigh-
hn and Eerns, by letters patent, dated June 7th, i6bf).~^ He was consecrated
in Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, January loth, 16G7. He died of palsy,
at Leighlin, in January, 16S2, and he was buried there in the Cathedral. 75
In the year a.d. ibyo, a National Synod uf the six remaining Irish
Catholic Prelates was held in Dublin, with the Vicars-General of the
other \'acant Sees. Eor these they recommended certain ecclesiastics,
whom they deemed worthy of being advanced to the Episcopal dignity,
and among them Dr. William Phelan, Chancellor of Ossory and Pro-
thonotary Apostolic, was proposed for the Bishopric of Leighlin. However,
this See was reserved in courniciidam for Dr. Mark Eorstall, Bishop of
Kildare. On his death in 16S3, the clergy of Leighlin to the number of
twelve petitioned the Holv See, that the Diocese might be given in
administration to Dr. James Phelan, Bishop of Ossory. However, the
Holy See thought fit to make another arrangement that year, by ap])oint-
ing Dr. Edward Wesley, Bishop of Kildare, to be also administrator of
Leighlin. 7<i
History and Antiquities of the Colic- unusual spectacle and cerL-mon}- were
giate and Cathedral Church of St. Patrick, afterwards published by Dr. Dutlley
near Dublin," &:c. Book ii., chap, iii., Loftus in a tract " The proceedings
p. 187. observed in order to, and in consecration
•'" See Harris' "Ware," vol. i., " Bishops of, the twelve Bishops, in St. Patrick's
of Ferns," pp. 44S, 44(.). Church in Dublin, on the 27th of January,
''^ See De Burgo's " Hibernia l^'omini- 1660," London, iGui, 410.
cana," cap. xiii., sect. Ixvii., pp. 4S9 to '^^ See Harris' "Ware," vol. i., " Bishops
49^- of Ferns," ji. 4_)0.
"' See Dr. jMaziere Brady's " Episcopal "' See John Ryan's " History and
Succession," &.C., vol. i. Antiquities of the County of Carlow,"
^2 Eleven other Bishops were con- chap, xxiv., ]>. 190.
secraled at the same time and in the ^■'' See Hams' "Ware," vol. i., " Bishops
same place ; the particulars of whicli of Ferns," ]i. 449.
THE QUEEN S COUNTY PORTION Ob LEIGHLIN UIOCESE. 125
Narcissus Marsh was born at Ilaiiningtun, Wiltshire, December 20th
1638. Alter various promotions in England, 77 through lavuur of the
Duke of Orniond, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, he was nominaled by King
Charles IL to the Provostsliip of Trinity College, Dublin, December,
1678. He sought to encourage there the study of the hish language. 78
He was made Protestant Bishop of Leighlin and Ferns, by letters
patent, dated Fcb/uary 27th, 1682 ; and he was consecrated in Christ
Church, Dublin, May 6th, following. 79 However, on the expulsion of
King James II. from the English throne, Archbishop IMarsh, with many
others, fled from Ireland when the deposed King arrived there ; while
his adventures and distress when in England are related in a Manuscript
Diary, still preserved in the Library he subsequently founded near St.
Patrick's Church, Dublin, ^t) On his return to Ireland, when King James
IPs cause had failed there, Dr. ^larsh was translated to be Archhishop of
Cashel on the 26th of February, ibcji. Si Bartholomew Vigors, educated
in the University of Dublin, and Dean of Armagh, on the translation of
Bishop Marsh, was promoted by letters patent, dated the 27tliof February,
i6gi, to the Sees of Leighlin and Ferns. 82 He was consecrated in Christ
Church Cathedral, Dubhn, on the 8th of March, following. He purchased
for the beneiit of these Sees a fee-farm in the manor of Old Leighlin, and
otherwise he increased the revenues. He died on the 3rd of January,
1721, and he was buried in St. Patrick's Cathedral, Dubhn. 83 Josiah
Hort, an Englishman, and domestic chaplain to Thomas, Marquis of
Wharton, •'-•'4 Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, after much litigation to defend
his patent for the parish of Kilskir, in the Diocese of Meath, at last
succeeded in his suit in 1717. After various removals, he was appointed
to the Deanery of Cloyne, in 1718, and to that of Ardagli, in 1720. On
the loth of February, 1721, by favour of the Duke of Grafton, then Lord
Lieutenant of Ireland, he was advanced by letters patent to the united
Sees of Leighlin and Ferns ; 85 and he was consecrated on the 26th of
that month, in the church of Castleknock. He was further translated to
the Sees of Kihnore and Ardagh, by favour of Lord Carteret, ^o Lord
'^^ See Bishop Comerford's " Collec-
tions relating to the Diocese of Kiklare
and Leighlin," vol. i., pp. 6S, 69.
~" See an interesting memoir of him,
in James Wills' " Lives of Illustrious and
Distinguished Irishmen," vol. iv., juut
ii. Ecclesiastical series, pp. 267 to 2/^.
''s See Rev. Dr. John William Stubbs'
' 'History of the University of Dublin, from
its foundation to the end of the Ligh-
teenth Century," chap, v., pp. 114, 115.
■^^ See Harris' Ware, vol. i.. " Biahojis
of Ferns," pp. 449, 4^0.
80 See W. B. S. Taylor's " History of
the University of Dublin," chap, vii.,
.sect, ii., pp. 242, 243.
81 In 1094, he was promoted to be
Archbishop of Duljlin, and in 1702, he
became Archbishop of Armagh. He
died November 2nd, 1713, aged 75, and
he was buried in a vault in the cliurch-
yard of St. Patrick's, Dublin, adjoining
the Library he had founded. See Alfretl
Webb's " Compendium of Irish Bio-
grai.liy," n, -,^2.
^- See |olm Rvan's " Hisliir\' audi An-
tiquities of the County of Carlow," cha]>.
"^ See Harris' ''Ware," vol. i., " Bishoi>s
xxvi., p. 23S.
of Ferns," pp. 450, 451.
'^■* He came over as Lord Lieutenant
in 170.S, a notorious profligate. Accord-
ing to the sarcastic sketch given of him
by Dean Swift, he " dropped his reUgion
and took no other in its stead." Again,
" he contracted such large debts that
his brethren were forced, out of mere
justice, to leave Ireland at his mercy
where he had only time to set himself
right." — " History of the Four Last
Years of Hueen Anne," boolr i.
Still more severe upon him is the Dean,
in his " Short Character of his Ex-
cellency Thomas, Earl of Wharton,
i.ord Lieutenant of Ireland," a pamphlet
secretly distributed in London, antl
dated August 30th, 1710.
"^5 See John Ryan's " History and
Antiquities of the County of Carlow,'
cha]). xxviii., p. 269.
^'-' He -was Lord Lieutenant of Ii-eland
from 1725 to 1732. See T'laiicis Plow-
126
HISTORY OF THE QUEEN'S COUNTY.
Lieutenant of Ireland, by letters patent, dated July 20th, 1727.87
The vaeaucy thus occurnng, John Hoadly, Archdeacon of Salisbury,
HI England, was advanced to the Sees of Leighlin and Ferns bv the letter
of King George I., dated June 3rd, 1727. sti Howc-wr, the King died
on the loth of that same month, before either he or his inedecessor
ihshop Hort, could pass j)atent for their respective preferments. After-
wards, both procured letters patent from Kmg George II. John Hoadly
was consecrated in St. Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin, on the 3rd of September,
1727 ; but he was translated to the Diocese of Dublin as Archbishop, on
the 13th of January, 1729. ^9 Arthur Price was translated from Ch^nfert
to the united Sees of Leiglilin and Ferns in 1729, as successor to Bishoj)
Hoadly. 90 Afterwards, on tht; 4th of February, 1733. he was translated
to the See of :Meath. 91
A friend of Dean Swift, Dr. Edward Synge, Bishop of Cloyne, was
translated - to the united Sees of Leighlin and Ferns, February Sth,
1733, 93 with clause to hold the Rectory of Killeban, on the same day. 94
He was appointed to the See of Elphin, in April, 1740. 95 A former Dean
of Ferns, and the Dean of Derry, George Stone, D.D., was appointed
Bishop of Ferns and Leighlin, by letters patent, dated June 5th, 1740,
and he was consecrated on the following 3rd of August, 9(J in the Parish
Church of Chapelizod, near Dublin, by the Archbishop of Dublin. 97
In 1743, he was translated to Kildare. Afterwards, he became Bishop
of Derry. By letters patent, dated March 13th, 1747, he was created
Archbishop of Armagh. 98 He took a leading part in public business
and was a strong supporter of English Governmental measures in Ireland. 99
However, it must be observed, he entertained enlightened views with
regard to the Irish Ivonian Catholics ; by resisting elotiucntly various
attempts made in the Irish House of Lords to add still more rigorous
cmd unjust penal laws than those in force against them, by vindicating
their character for peaceable and good conduct, by desiring for them
the enjoyment of every advantage in common with the re.-t of his
Majesty's subjects, by making fair concessions, to unite them in senti-
clcu'.s " History of Ireland, from its In-
vasion under Henry II. to its Union with
C.ruat ]^ritain," vol. ii., book iii., chap.
i\'., ji. ')o.
ot Leighlin," p. 451.
**' See Harris' ''Ware," vol. i., " Bishops
88 See John Ryan's " History and
Antirpiities of the County of Carlow,"
chap, x.xix., p. 269.
8^ See Harris' Ware, vol. i., " Bisliojis
of Ferns," p. 452.
"" See John Ryan's " History and
Anticpiities of the County of Carlow,"
chap, xxix., p. 2i<^'i.
ui c;^,p Harris' "Ware," vol. i., "Bishops
of Ferns," p. 452.
'■'- AcconiinL; to Harris, by letters
jiatent Sth of February, 1733. See
ITarris'VVare, vol. i.," Bishops of Cloyne,"
p. 582.
^'■^ See John Ryan's " History and
Antic^uities of the County of Carlow,"
chap, xxix., p. 269.
•J4 While occupying this See he pub-
Hshed " \ Sermon prenchcd before the
House of Lords, at Chnst Church,
Dubhn, on the 5th of N(j\'eniber,"
Dublin, 1737, 4to.
"^ See Archdeacon Henry Cotton's
" Fasti Ecclt'sia' llibernica:." Tlie suc-
cession of the I'relates and iMenibers of
the Cathedral Bodu's in Ireland, vol. ii.,
The Province of Leinster, Diocese of
Ferns, p. 339, Dublin, 1848, 8vo.
'■"^ See John Ryan's " History ami
Anticjuilics of the County of Carlow,"
chap, xxix., p. 270.
■'^ Soon afterwards, he published " .-V
Sermon, preached at Christ Cduirch,
Dulilin, on November sth." Dublin,
1741, 4to.
■'8 See Archdeacon Cotton's " Fasti
Ecclcsiai Hibernicie." The succession
of the Prelates and Members of tlie
Cathedral Bodies in Ireland, vol. iii..
The Province of Ulster, Diocese of
Armagh, p. 26. Duldin, 1840, Svo.
^'■' He died in London, Decembiu- 19th,
17G4, and he was inti^rred in King Henry
VH.'s Chapel, Westminster Abbey, Jan-
uarv 4tli, 1 7O5.
'^"' See the account of him in James
THE QUEEN S COUNTY PORTION OF LEIGHLIN DIOCESE.
127
ments of loyalty witli other subjects of the Kingdom, wliom the
leaders of the English Party in Ireland deemed it a wise jiolicy to
estrange, ^oo
Dr. William Cotterell, i"' Dean of Raphoe, became Bishop of Leighlin
and Ferns, by a patent bearmg date March 24th, 1743. ^o- The followinf^
June 19th, he was consecrated in Christ Church, Dublin, by the Arch-
bishop of Dublin. He died in England, on the 21st of June, 1744. 103
Dr. Rol)ert Downes, Dean of Derry, was appointed Bishop of Leighlin
and Ferns, by letters patent, August ist, in 1744.104 He was conse-
crated the 19th of that same month by the Primate, in St. Michael's
Church, Dubhn. io5 In 1752, he was translated to the united Sees of
Down and Connor. '^'^'> In 1752, October 28th, Dr. John Garnett i"7
received his patent of donation, and became Bishop of Leighlin and
Ferns. He was consecrated November 12th, in 1752,10s by the x\rch-
bishop of Dublin, in Christ Church Cathedral, and on November 20th,
he was enthroned by proxy. In 1758, he was translated to Clogher.iof)
In 175S, Dr. William Carmichael, Bishop of Clonfert, was translated
by patent dated April 5th, to the Sees of Leighlin and Ferns. "o That
very same year, ^ however, he was translated to Meath, and afterwards
he was created Archbishop of Dublin, by patent dated June 14th, 1765. 112
The vacancy thus occuring. Dr. Thomas Salmon chaplain to the Duke
of Bedford, then Lord Lieutenant, became Bishop of the united Sees
of Leighlin and Ferns by letters patent, dated May 30th, "3 1758. ^-i
On the nth of June he was consecrated at St. Bride's Church, Dublin.
His episcopal career was a short one ; for he died while holding a con-
hrmaiinn in his native town of Tiverton, England, on March 25th,
1759. "5 By letters patent, dated April 19th, ''^ 1759, Dr. Richard
Stuart's " Historical Memoirs of the
City ut .\nnayh," vSrc, chap, xxv, pp. 437
to 444.
i"i Son of Sir (Jliarles Cotterell, IMaster
of the Ceremonies.
^°- See John Ryan's " History and
Antiquities of the County of Carlow,"
chap, xxix., p. 270.
^^^ See Archdeacon Cotton's " Fasti
EcclesicC IIibcrnic:o." The succession
of the Prelates and Members of the
Ecclesiastical Bodies in Ireland, vol. ii.
The r'ro\ ince of Leinster, Diocese of
Ferns, p. 340.
^^* See John Ryan's " History and
Antiquities of the County of Carlo\v,"
chap, xxix., p. 270.
1"^ He published " A Sermon preached
before the Irish Protestant Schools in
1750."
1"^ See Archdeacon Henry Cotton's
" Fasti Ecclcsire HibcrnicaB." The suc-
session of the Prelates and Members of
the Ecclesiastical Bodies in Ireland, vol
ii. The Province of Leinster Diocese of
Ferns, p. 340.
1°^ Cliaplain to the Duke of Dorset,
Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.
I'J^ See Jolm Ryan's " History and
Antiquities of the County of Carlow,"
chap, xxix., p. 286.
^''3 See Arclideacon Cotton's " Fasti
EcclesiaB Hil)ernicie." The succession
of the Prelates and Members of the
Ecclesiastical Bodies in Ireland, vol. ii..
The Province of Leinster, Diocese of
Ferns, pp. 340, 341.
1^"' See " Liber Munerum Puljiicorum
Hibernia; ab An. 11 52 usque ad I027,
vol. ii., part v., p. 50.
>" See John Ryan's "History and
Antiquities of tlie County of Carlow,"
chap, xxix., p. 2S6.
"-He died at Bath, December i;th,
1765. See Archdeacon Cotton's " h'asti
Ecclesia; llibernica;." The succession
of Prelates and Members of the Ecclesias-
tical Bodies in Ireland, \'ol. ii., the Pro-
vince of Leinster, Diocese of Dublin, p.
24, and Diocese of Ferns, p. 341.
i^-* Accortling to yVrchdeacon Cotton,
dated June lotli.
"* See Liber Munerum Publicoruin
Hibernics! ab an. 1152 usque ad 1S27,"
vol. ii., part v., p. 59.
lis See Archbishop Cotton's "Fasti
Ecclesia; Hibernica;." The succession c>f
Prelates and jMeml)ers of the Ecclesias-
tical Bodies in Ireland, vol. ii. The
Province of Leinster, Diocese of Fern-',
P- ,Ui-
11" AccordiuR to Archdeacon Cotton,
the " Liber Munerum," i'v:c., has tlie
date for his transfer, March 27th, 1759.
I3S
HISTORY OF THE QUEEN S COUNTY,
Kobinson,!!/ Bishop ot Killaki, was translate'd to the uniird S;'es of
Lcighhu and Ferns. In 1761, he was translated to the bishopric of
Kildare, "^ and in I7()5, by patent dated FelM-nary 8th, he became
Primate, and Archbisliop of Armagh. ^o This ilhistrious Prelate was
a great public benefactor to that city, in which he effected so many
great improvements, 120
As successor of Dr. Richard Robinson, Dr. Charles Jackson was
nominated by letters patent for the united Sees of Leighlin and Ferns,
March 20th, a.d. 1761.1-' He had been chaplain to the Duke of Bedford,
Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. He was consecrated in St. Bride's Church,
April 19th, by the Archbishop of Dublin. He was translated to Kildare,
in 1765, by a patent dated February 25th. i-- In 1765,123 March 4th,
by letters patent. Dr. Edward Young, Bishop of Dromore, succeeded
in the united Sees of Leighlin and Ferns. He wrote and published two
sermons, Dublin : 1763, 1766, in 4to.i-4 He died in Dublin of pleurisy,
August 29th, 1772.125 In 1772,126 by letters patent of September igtli,
the Hon. Josejih Dean Bourke, succeeded Dr. Edward Young, as Bishop
of Leighlin and Ferns. 127 He was translated to be Archbishop of Tuani
in 17S2, by letters patent, dated August Sth. By the death of his elder
brother, he became third Earl of Mayo.^^s In 1782,129 by letters patent
of August 9th, Dr. Walter Cope, Bishop of Clonfert, was translated to
the united Sees of Leighlin and Ferns. ^30 He died Ji^ly 31st, 1787,
at Dromally, in the County of Armagh. In 1787.131 by letters i)atent
of November 9th, Dr. William Preston, then Bishop of Killala, 132
11'^ See John Ryan's " History and
Antiquities of the County of Carlow,"
clia]i. xxix., p. 2S6.
'i'^ See " Liber Rlumeruin Publicorum
llibcruire al> An. 1172, usque ad 1827,"
vol. li., jiarl v., p. 50.
''■'ScL- Archdeacon Cotton's "Fasli
lCcclesi;e Hibernica\" 'i'lie succession
of Prelates and Members of the Ecclesia-
stical Bodies in Ireland, vol ii., The
Province of Leinster, Diocese of Ferns,
]). 341., and vol. iii., The Province of
Ulster, Diocese of Armaj^h, pp. 26, 27.
120 See James Stuart's " Historical
IMenioirs of the City of Ariuagh," cSrc,
chap. XXV., pp. 444 to 457.
1-1 According to the " Liber IMunerum
Publicorum Hibernicas ab An. 11 72
usque ad 1827," vol. ii., part v., p. 51.
However, Archdeacon Cotton has the
]iatent dated April i6th, 1761.
i'-2 He died in London, March 9th,
1804, aged 84. See Archdeacon Cotton's
" Fasti Ecclesire Hibernica:." The suc-
cession of Prelates and Members of the
Ecclesiastical Bodies in Ireland, vol. ii..
Diocese of Ferns, pp. 235, 341.
12'' See John Ryan's " History and
Antiquities of the County ol Carlow,"
chap, x.xx., p. 303.
'24 See S. Austin Allibone's " Critical
Dictionary of English Literature and
British Authors," &c., vol. iii., p. 2S97.
125 See Archdeacon Cotton's " I'^asti
Ecclesiaj Hibernica2." The succession o£
Prelates and Members of the Ecclesias-
tical Bodies in Ireland, vol ii.. The Pro-
vince of Leinster, Diocese of Ferns, pp.
341, 342. .
i2'J See John Ryan's " History and
Antiquities ol the County of Carlow,"
chap. xx.K., p. 303.
1'-^ He \v-<is c(jnsfcrated in St. Thomas's
Church, Dul)lin, October nth, by the
Archbishojj of Dublin. See Arcluleacoit
Cotton's " Fasti Ecclesiaj Hibernica:-."
The succession of Prelates and Members
of the iicck'hiastical Bodies in Ireland,
vol. ii., The Province of Lcinsu-r,
Diocese of FeTus, p. 342.
128 He died at Kilbeggan, in the
County of INIeath, August 17th, 1704.
He was interred in the burying-groiind
of his family, Naas. See j/u'd., vol. i\'..
The Province of Connaught, Diocese of
Tuam, p. iS. Dublin, 1S50, 8vo.
123 See John Ryan's " History and
Antiquities of Uie County of Carlow,"
chap. XXX., p. 303.
1^° See Archtleacon Cotton's " Fa-,ti
Ecclesiaj Llibernicaj." The succes ion
of Prelates and RL'mbers of the EccL-^ia-
stical Bodies in Ireland, vol. ii. The
Province ef Lein.iter, Diocese of Ferns,
p. 342.
1^1 See John Ryan's " History and
Antiquities of the Count}' of Carlow."
chap. XXX., p. 303.
i-'2 He ha(l luin Private Secretary to
Charles, Duke of Rutland, when Lord
Lieatenant of Ireland.
1^3 See Arch(_leacon Cotton's " Fasti
THE QUEEN S COUNTY PORTION OF LEIGHLIN DIOCESE. I2y
succeeded in the united Sees of Leighlin and Ferns. He died on Sunday,
April 19th, 1789, in Dublin. A liandsomL- monument, with a suitable
inscription, was erected to his memory in the Cathedral of Ferns by
Mary Isabella, Duchess of Richmond.' i/i Dr. Euseby Cleaver, Bishoji
of Cork and Ross, was translated and appointed by Kinpj's letter to the
Sees of Lei,c[hlin and Ferns, June 5th, and patent issued on June 13th,
1789.134 In 1809, he was translated to the See of Dublin, by patent
dated 25th of August, that year. "35 In 1809, the Hon, Percy Jocelyn
M.A., '3'i was appointed by King's letter, dated St. James's, July 31st
to succeed to the Sees of Leighlin and Ferns. '37 He was consecrated
m Christ Church. Dublin, September 13th, by the Bishop of Kildare.
In 1820, he was translated to the See of Clogher, by King's letter dated
Aj^ril 3rd,i3S In 1820, the Hon. Robert Ponsonby Tottenham Loftus,
commonly called Lord Robert Loftus, Bishop of Killaloe and Kilfenora,
was translated '39 to the united Sees of Leighlin and Ferns. ^40 Like
his predecessor, he was translated to Clogher in 1822, by letters patent
dated December 21st, and admitted December 30th. 141 Thomas Elring-
ton,"- Bishop of Limerick, succeeded Lord Robert Tottenham, 143 in the
Diocese of Ferns and Leighlin, by letters patent, dated December 21st,
:.S22. He had been a distinguished student, professor, and fellow of
Trinity College, Dublin, where he graduated. He wrote many tracts,
chiefly of a controversial and political character. * He became Pro-
vost of Trinity College, Dublin, in February, 1811.144 He died at
Liverpool, on the 12th July, 1835, while on a journey to take his seat
in the House of Lords, London. His body was conveyed to Dublin, and
it was interred in Trinity College Chapel. '4=; Under the provisions of
the Church Temporalities Act pas'sed that year, upon the death of Bishop
pp. 342, 343.
History and
of Carlow,"
Ecclesiaj Hibernito"." The succession
of Prelates and JLcclesiastical Bodies in
Ireland, vol. ii., The Province of
Lemster, Diocese of Ferns,
1^* See John Ryan's "
Antiquities of the County
chap. XXX., p. 303.
1-^ He was enthroned at Christ Church,
August 29th, and immediately after-
wards at St. Patrick's. He died at
Tunbridge Wells in Kent, December
1 8 19, aged 73 years, and he was buried
at Fulham, near London. See Arcli-
deacon Cotton's " Fasti Ecclesia; Hiber-
nicae." The succession of Prelates and
Members of Ecclesiastical Bodies in Ire-
land, vol. ii. Province of Leinster,
Diocese of Dublin, pp. 27, 28, and the
Diocese of Ferns, pp. 343, 344.
1^'' He Avas second son to Viscount
Roden. He had been Treasurer of
Cork, and Archdeacon of Ross.
^37 His patent was signed August 26th,
1809, by John Philpot Curran, Irish
Master of the Rolls.
13S In 1822, he was deposed. He died
at Edinburgh, in December, 1843, and
he was buried there in the new cemetery.
See Archdeacon Cotton's " Fasti Ecclesia;
Hibernica?." The succession of Prelates
and Ecclesiastical Bodies in Ireland, vol.
ii„ Province of Leinster, Diocese of
Ferns, ji. 344. vol. iii., Province of
Ulster, Diocese of Clogher, pp. 83, 84.
'39 Carleton House, 3rd April, of
George IV. Sidmouth, entered at the
Signet Office, 6th April. King's Letter
Book at the Irish Department Office,
Westminster.
^*'^ Patent Rolls of Chancery in
Ireland.
1*^ See Archdeacon Cotton's " Fasti
Ecclesiai Hibernicaj." The succession of
Prelates and Members of Eczlesiastical
Bodies in Ireland, vol. ii., Province of
Leinster, Diocese of Ferns, p. 344, vol.
iii., Province of Ulster, Diocese of
Clogher, p. 84.
1^- He was born near Dulilin, in
December, 1760.
!■'•'' See " Liber Munerum Publicorum
Hibernias ab An. 1172 usque ad 1827,"
vol. ii.., part v., p. 199.
1*1 See W. B. S. Taylor's " History of
the University of Dublin," &c., chap,
vii., sect, ii., ]ip. 257 to 260.
1*5 A handsome marble tablet has been
there erected to his memory, with a
Latin inscription. See Archiieacon
C(3tton's " h'asti Ecclesiie Hibernica^."
The succession of Prelates and Mem
bers of Ecclesiastical Bodies in Ireland,
vol. ii., Prtn-ince of Leinster, Diocese of
I'\^rns, pp. 3.14 to 347.
K
IjO HISTORY OF THE QUEEN S COUNTY.
Elrington, the Protestant Dioceses of Ferns and Leighlin became united
to the Diocese of Ossory, under vvliich title we have to present tlie suc-
cession of Protestant Bishops.
CHAPTER IV.— The Queen's County Portion of Ossory Diocese.
The Diocese of Ossory, estimated to be about forty-six EngUsh miles in
length, by twenty-nine in breath, is calculated to have a superhcies of
about 346,000 acres. It comprehends the City of Ivilkenny and almost
the whole county of the same, the entire old undivided barony of Ossory,
forming about one-third of the Queen's County, and a small part of King's
County, occupied by the parish of Scir-Kyran. The Deanery of Aghaboe
comprises that and the Queen's County parishes of Aghaboe, Donougli-
more, Offerlane, and Skeirke.i The See of Ossory was planted at Saigir,
in the King's County,^ by St. Kieran,3 at a very early period of the
Irish Church. He was the first bishop, and he is the patron of that Diocese.
He flourished in the fifth century, and he was born in Clare Island, off
the south coast of Munster.4 His institute was situated in that ancient
district known as Eli O'Carroll. A celebrated school was there established.
After the founder, Saigir took the name of Scir-Kieran,^and his successors
were called Episcopi Saigerenses, i.e., Bishops of Saigir. There are but
slender account'^ of the early bishops who succeeded ; s but it is stated,
that St. Carthach, the elder, and either son or grandson to /Engus, King
of Munster. comes next to him in order. Kieran is said to have departed this
life, on the 5th of March, a.d. 540. If we take Abbot and Bishop as being
one and the same superior at Saigir, we Ihid the following named in the
Annals of Ireland, as holding rule in the Monastery which was there
established. In the Latin Life of St. Molua,^ Abbot of Clonfert Molua,
mention is made of Sedna, also styled Scdonius, as the Bishop of Saigir
who succeeded St. Carthach. He flourished about the year 570, and his
festival is kept on the loth of March.
Afterwards we learn, that with forty other prelates, Killene Mac
Lubney, Abbot of Saigir, assisted in the year 695, at a synod convened
at Armagh, 7 by the Archbishop Flan Febla, The festival of St. Killene
Mac Lubney is observed on the 12th of April. Laigdene Mac
Donnenach,8 Abbot of Saigir, died a.d. 739.9 Tuntgall or Tnutghall,
1 See " Liber Munerum Publicorum at Antiquitatibus ejus Disquisitiones,"
HibernisE ab An., 11 52 usque ad 1827," capxxvi.,p. 162. See also his work " De
vol. ii., part v., p. 46. Pnesulibus Lageniae," Episcopi Ossori-
2 See an account of it in Archdall's enses, p. 69. See also the Rev. M. J.
" Monasticon Hibernicum," pp. 404 Brenan's " Ecclesiastical History of
to 406. Ireland." Sixth Century, chap.ii., pp.
' Venerated on the 5th of March. 73, 74.
* For fuller particulars regarding this " His feast occurs on 4th August,
patriarchial founder, the reader is ^ Colgan had in his possession the
referred to the exhaustive memoir by decrees of this synod. See " Acta
John Hogan, " St. Ciaran, Patron of Sanctorum Hibernia\" Appendix ad
Ossory: A Memoir of his Life and Times, Vitam S. Kierani, cap. iv., p. 47^.
comprising a preliminary Enquiry re- ^ By Archdall he is called Laygnen,
specting the period of his Birth; an the sun of Donenny. See "Monasticon
historical Commentary on the Legend Hibernicum," p. 404
of his Life ; some notes on his death, » See the " Annals of the Four
and on the surviving Memorials of Masters," vol. i., pp. 340, 341, Dr,
Mission." Kilkennv. 1876, 8vo. O'Donovan's edition.
5 See Sir James \' are's " De Hibernia ""See ibuf.
THE QUEEN S COUNTY PORTION OF OSSOKY DIOCESE. 131
Abbot of Saigir, died a.d. 771.10 Mocoach, or Maccog, Abbot ol
Saigir, died a.d. 783." Cuccathach, Abbot of Saigir, died a.d. 788. '-^
Cobthach, Abbot of Saigir, died a.d. 801, according to some
accounts, but Colgan places his death in 807.13 Fcrcdach, Abbot of
Saigir, died a.d. 809, and Concliovar, Abbot of Saigir, died tlie year
following. 14 It may be, that some of these had retired from otTice,
and by courtesy held their former titles till the time of their death.
Conmach O'Lochene, Abbot of Saigir, died in 826. Irgalach, or
Jorgalach, Abbot of Saigir, died a.d. 832.1=; Subsequently the Abbey here
was burned, and pillaged, by the Ostmen.i6 Anluain, Albot of Saigir,
died in 846. Cormac Mac Eladhaig, Abbot, Bishop, and Scribe ot
Saigir, died a.d. 867.17 Geran, the son of Dichoscha, Abbot of Saigir,
died a.d. 868. 18 Sloghadhach Ua Raithnen, Abbot of Saigir, died in
the year 885.^9 Cormac, Bishop of Saigir, died a.d. 907.-0 Fergall
Mac Maelmorra, Abbot of Saigir, died a.d. 919.-' Fogartach, Abbot
of Saigir, ched a.d. 941.22 Kenfoelad IMac Swiny, Abbot of Saigir,
died on a pilgrimage at Glendalough, in the year 951.23 The year
lollowing, this Abbey was plundered and burned by the Munstermcn.-i
Flathlcin, Arclicnnach of Saigir, died in 984. Fogartacli, Abbot oi
Saighir and Glendalough, died A.D. 1004.25 Dunchadh Ua Kellechuir,
("omorban to Kiaran of Saighir, died in 1048. 2'j In the year i07(),
l\ellach-Ramhar, i.e. the Fat, Comorban to Kiaran of Saighir and to
P>rendan of Birr, died. 27
In the year 1152, Donald Fogarty 2S assisted at the Synod of Kells,
licld vuidrr Cardinal Paparo. In a catalogue uf the l^jishops then present,
he is stvled Vicar-Gcncral as well as l')ishop of Ossory.29 He is also
<-alled (^omorlian of Kiaran. However, his successor in the See of Ossory,
Most Rev. Patrick Francis Moian, is of opinion, that his position at the
Syncjd mu>t have corresjionded in some way with that of an Auxiliary
or a Coadjutor Bishop at tlic present time. 3" We are informed, that ho
«> Sec )',;■./.. Y\\ 37.}. 375-
'^S'-.- 1^;./., i'j(. y/). j>i. However,
Or. O'Uonov.i'.i Ills the correction
<.I (l.\tc [fcie. ~ ■^ j\.
>*Sc,3 C'.-l.:.inri "Acta Sanctorum
lli!-rrni <•." M.iriii v. .\ppi.-nilix ad
Vma:u S. KuLkiu. i.i;>. iv., \\ .\-; i.
»• Sfo \l\i.
«» S--^ 151 .'
«♦ Sc*! Ar. ;. :.v!l'« " MiJiListiroii Hibcr-
a;.'jM." I \iy
» ' .V«j I , >.
••He 1' th'.iii «J'-M,;natcd in Dr.
O'l^ rfi'ivuii •» ■■ .Krsn.iN of l!ic I-oiir
Mjk>;«-».'" a! thai ilate. Sec vol. |.,
j.p. ?!o. 511.
"Set: ArduiaU'9 "Mo:iaitio)n Hilier-
tiKuni." p. 40?.
" .^c Dr. O" Donovan's " Annals of
the Four Masters." vol. J., pp. 536, 537.
*' CoI(.;.m has the date incorrect, as
A.D. 997.
" Sec CoIi.,'an'3 " Acta Sanctorum
Hibernij'," ^i.lrtii v. Appenili.x ad
N'ltarn S. Kicrani. cap. iv. ji. .^73.
" Sec .\rchdair3 " Monasticon Hibcr-
nicum." \i. 405.
'* Sec ibid.
'* See Colgan's " Trias Thaumaturga "
-•Xppendi.K Quinta ad Acta S. Brigid.L-,
caj). x.\., p. 034.
-" In recording his demise, Walter
Harris remarks : " The founder of the
church of Clonmacnois, being also a
Kieran, leaves one in some doubt as to
tlie Bishops of this See ; least one may
ajijily to this wliat belongs to that,
and so the term Comorban of Kiaran is
not a sullicicnt guide to us in this
p.irticidar, unless where Comorban of
S.iigir or Clonmacnois is specilied to
(iistin.;uisli them." " Harris' Ware," vol.
i., Hihhops of Ossory, p. 402.
-^ See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum
Hibernian," Martii v. Appendix ad
V'ttam S. Kierani, cap. iv., p, 473.
•^ He belonged to the tribe of Ua
Fogarta of Eilie, and apparently he
was a native of that terrUory, having
been ecclesiastical superior of the
monastery of Seirkieran, previous to
the Synod of Kells. See John Hogan's
" Kilkenny : The Ancient City of Ossory,
the Seat of its Kings, the See of its
iiishops, and the site of its Cathedral."
Kilkenny, 1884, 8vo.
-* See Rev. Geoff ry Keating's
" General History of Ireland," part ii.
132 HISTORY OF THE OUliEN S COUNTY.
went to rest in the peace of Christ, and in a good old age, on the Sth
of May, A.D. 117S. The Annals of Leinstor have his death at that year.
Sir James Ware is of opinion, 3' that he sat upwards of twenty-six years
in the See of Ossory..v- In 1178, a Cistercian monk, named Felix
O'Dullany,^^ who lived in Aghaboe, and who is called Abbot of
Ossory, found the city of Kilkenny in ruins, with its ancient church
of St. Canice.34 Havmg at ftrst fixed the scat of his See in Aghabou,
and in proximity with his own family tribe-laiuls, he resolved ou a
restoration of the fallen city, and this he was enabled to effect,
with the aid of Earl Mareschal and his Countess Isabella, together
with their Anglo-Norman retainers. 3 s He accoidingly removed the
Episcopal See, it is stated; to the City of Kilkenny, 'where he laid
the foundations of a Cathedral, afterwards dedicated to the Abbot
and Patron St. Canice. For about twenty-four years he })resided
over this See, and he died in 1202,36 in the Monastery of the Blessed
Virgin at Jerpoint,37 where he was buried. 3S He was succeeded
in that same year, by Hugh Rufus, an English Augustinian Canon, 3'*
and he had been the first or second Prior of Kells, then lately founded
by Gcoffry FitzRobert. He granted a great part of the city of
Kilkenny to William Marshah the elder, Earl of Pembroke, reserving
as rent an ounce of gold for himself and his successors in the See.
During the time of Bishop Hugh Rufus, in 1210, Jvilkenny was
made Shire-ground, and Sheriffs with other officers were appointed for
it after the English manner.4o In 1218, this prelate died, and he was
buried in the Abbey of Kells, to which he had been a great benefactor.
After his death, the Dean and Cha}:>ter of Ossory elected Peter
Mannesin to succeed, and his election was confirmed by the King,4i
on the Sth of December, 121S. He purchased the wood of Aghlong,
near Clonmnrc, with the adjoining farm, and left it to his See. Ho sat
^'' For additional illustrations on the _ its Kings, the See of its Bishops, and
subject of the present l^ishop, and much ' the Site of its Cathedral," part hi., pp.
more extended biographical notices of 175 to 19S.
other Diocesan prelates, the reader is ^« See Archdall's " Monasticon Hiber-
referred to that learned and researchful nicum," p. 356.
contribution to the "Transactions ^7 xhis was a Cistercian foundation of
of the Ossory Archaeological Society," Donald Regulus of Ossory, a.d., 1180.
headed The Bishops of Ossory from the See Sir James Ware's " De Hibernia et
Anglo-Norman Invasion to the jiresent Antiquitatibus ejus Disquisitiones," cap.
Dav, by Most Rev. Dr. Moran, Lord xx\'i., p. 156.
Bishop of Ossory. See vol. ii., pp. 200, ^s •' ^d ejus tumulum, qui a sep-
201. trionali parte summi .Mtaris visitur,
^^ See " De Praeulibus Lagenia;," multa olim patrata ferunt miracula,"—
Episcopi Ossorienses, p. 69. '' Dc Prccsulibus Lageni;e, sive Provincia-
32 See Harris' " Ware," vol. i.. Bishops ^-^ubliniensis." Episcopi Ossorienses, p.
of Ossory, p. 403. '^^^
,T TT 1 , , i • i 1 "'•* See John Hogan's Kilkenny,
•*•* He belonged to an ancient clan ^.^ jjj ■' ^ *= ■'
seated in CoiU-Uachtorach, now Upper- ^o See Hirris' '•'Warc," vol. i., Bishoj.s
woods, m the Queens County. ihe ^f Qssory, pp. 403, 4"4.
fainily name has been Anghcized 41 Henry III. who at this time was
"^ ^^y- a minor, while the Earl ot Pembroke
3^ For much valuable information acted as Regent. See Charles Knight's
regarding the history of Ossory Diocese, " Popular History of England, Civil,
the reader may consult the learned work Mditary, Political, Social, and Bio-
of Very Rev. John Francis Shearman, graphical," vol. i., chap, xxiv., pp. 3S6
" Loca Patriciana," parts xi., xii., pp. to 358.
264 to 394, Dublin, 1879, roy. 8vo. ^2 See Sir James Ware's " De Pra^-
35 See John Hogan's " Kilkenny, sulibus Lagenis, sive Provincice Dublin-
the ancent City of Ossory, the Seat of iensis," Episcopi Ossorienses, p. 71.
THE QUEEN S COUNTY PORTION OF OSSORY DIOCESE. 133
eleven years, and he died a.d. 1220.42 He was also a benefactor to the
Cistercian Abbey at Dnisk, now ("iraignemanagh.-B Having obtained
the King's hcence to elect his snccessor, the Dean, and Chapter selected
from their bodv the Chancellor William of Kilkenny. He presided
only for a short time, as in the beginning of 1232 he abdicated
the ofhce, and it is stated, owing to the persuasion of his successor,
Walter de Brackell, who had been Rector of Strettuncdal, in the Diocese
of Hereford. His })romotion was due to the favour of King Henry HI.-N
This Bishop died on the 5th of December, a.d. 1243, when he had ruled
for a little over eleven years.
Galfrid or Geoifry of Turvill, Archdeacon of Dublin, and Treasurer
of Ireland, was hiwiuUy elected l:)islK)p of Ossory and consecrated in
1244. He purchased for his See the Manor of Dorogh,4S and the lands
belonging to it. There he built an episcopal palace He died in London
about the Feast of All Saints, a.d. 1250, having governed this See about
six years. He was buried in the Inner-Temple Church. He was suc-
ceeded by Hugh de Mapilton, also Archdeacon of Dublin, who was conse-
crated towards the end of May, 125 1. The following year he was created
Treasurer of Ireland. The building of the present Cathedral of St.
(."aiiicc 1'' in Kilkenny had been carried on slowly bv his jiredecessors,
but this prelate incurred great exijcnse in the work, which he did not live
to lini^h, as his death took place in iz^d. He was buried in the Cathedral,
near St. Mary's Chapel, where the tomb is still to be seen. A Dominican,
called Hugh III., was his successor, and he was a benefactor to the monks
of his Ortler in Kilkenny, but lu; did not long survive, having been called
out of this life in i^y). He wa-, buried m tlu' Dominican ChuVch, near the
high altcir. In turn, (ialliid or Ct'ohiy St. Leger succeeded. He was de-
scended from a noble i.unilw and he was Treasurer of St. Canice's Cathe-
dral. In ijtio. he w.iscdii-.erated I'.idioj), and apjilied himself earnestly to
li!ii-h the (\ithedr.i!. at no small eost. He also founded a college of
\arai^ choral, and m many wa\s he was a benefactor of the See.47 He
liieiv pie-ided I'.r twentv-six \eais, and died in the month of January,
l_'So. Ui- wa.s built d in the Cathedral, and his tomb is near that of
}ii>h"p Ma;.iltMii. The Dean ot Kilkenny, known as Roger of Wexford,
w.is hl^ ^uu e-r-or, and elected with the King's approbation on the 3rd
■ ■i N.-veml-, r, ij>7. He died on the 12th June, 128'). Michael of
i.\t ;• :. .1 ciiion ol Kilkenny Cathedral, was elected Bishop of the See,
N;,t.:nlK-r 2MI1, ijSi*. and on the 2nd of November following, the
Km^-'.s .i>M'nt was obtaiiied. His liberalit\- to the canons of the Cathedral
Is K-'-^tl.V pr.iixd. He d;ed about the Feast of Pentecost— as others
^Ul^• ini the I2t!> of Julv, 1302. having sat lor thirteen years. 1^
Next to liini (.line William Fit/John, Canon of Kilkenny Cathedral,
♦' Sti: ArclnLiH's '■ MuiiasiKoii Hilar- the rc;i(.lcr i.s referred to that learned
nicuiii." p. 35;. wuvk. "The- Histurv, Anti(|uities, and
♦*'liic rt-ii^n oi this rnonarcli om- .Vrchiiecture ol the 'Cathedral Church
incnccd on tlie day of his cc>roiiatinii, ol St. Canice, " compiled by Rev.
the I-\Mit of St. Siraou and St. Jude, James Craves and John G. Augustus
Friday, the 2Sth of October, 1216, I'riin, Dublin, 1S57, 410.
and lasted to the I'ca.st of St. i:dnuind <• See John C. 'l-:rek's "Ecclesiastical
the Confessor. Wednesday, the 16th of Register, ontainin^ the Names of the
November, 1272. See I lams Nicholas' l)i-mtaries and Parochial Clergy of
•' Chronology of Historv." pp. 309, 310. Ireland," p. 113.
*s Now probably Cas'.le Durrow, in ^-^ See Sir James Ware, " De Pnr-
the nueen's Couni\. sulibus Lagenia-, sive Provincial Dublin-
*" Fur a full antl very complete iensis," Hpiscopi Ossoricnscs, p. 75.
account of this grand Gothic building, ■'■' See Fratris Johannis Clyn "Annales
134 HISTORY OF TU1-: QUEEN's COUNTY.
«
and he was consecrated there in 1302, on Sunday within the Feast of
the Epiphany.49 Having governed the See for fifteen years, by the
Pope's provision he was translated to be Archbishop of Cashel in 1317,
It is said, one Peter succeeded in the See of Kilkenny ; but if so, it must
liave been only for a very short time, since Richard Ledred, a London
Franciscan Friar, was consecrated at Avignon in 131S, by mandate
of Pope John XXII. The term of this Bishop was a troublesome one,
but after various disputes with the Archbishop of Dublin, Alexander
de Bicknor, and King Edward III., Bishop Ledred was exempted by
the Pope from the jurisdiction of the former in 1348, while his church,
peo})le and himself were placed under the immediate protection of the
Apostolic See. 50 Having endured imprisonment and much persecution
from the King and his ministers. Bishop Ledred died at a very advanced
age, in the year 1360, and he was buried on the Gospel side of the high
altar in his own cathedral church. 5i After his death, Milo Sweetman.
Treasui-er of the Cathedral, was elected, but the Pope annulled the
election, 52 and promoted John of Tatenale, by some called John of
Oxford, to this See. He died in 1370. He was succeeded by
Alexander Balscot, a man of learning and ability, who filled various
public ollices, and he sat in this See about fifteen years, when he was
translated to that of Meath in 1386. His successor was Richard
Northalis, a Carmelite Friar of London, who greatly enjoyed the
favour and confidence of King Richard II., by whom he was appointed
Inquisitor-General for the King's service in Ireland, being Chancellor
for a time. Ruling about nine years in this See, he was then translated
to that of Dublin, and became its Archbishop. 53
Thomas Peverell, a learned Carmelite Friar, succeeded, a.d. 1307, but
he sat only for a short time in this See, for, in IMay, 1398, he was translated
to that of Landaff, in Wales, and thence in 1407, to the Bishopric of
WorcL'stcr. John Grillin, Bishop of Leighlin, was translated by the
Pope to Kilkenny in 1398, but he died the year following. In 1399,
John Waltam, an Augustinian Hermit, was advanced to this See
by a provisional Bull of Pope Boniface IX., but he sat only for a short
time, having died the year following. Then came Roger of Appleby,
advanced to this See by the aforesaid Pope, on the 26th of September,
1400. He died a.d. 1404. John Volcan, ]3isliop of Dromore, was then
translated to tliis See, but he died about jNIichaelmas, 1405. Thomas
Snell, Archdeacon of Glendalough, and afterwards Bishop of Lismore
and Waterford, was translated to Kilkenny soon afterwards, and he
died in Waterford, October i6th, 1416. Next came Patrick Ragged,
Bishop of Cork, translated to this See in 1417, and he died on the 20th
of August, or as some say, on the 20th of April, 1421. Denis O'Dea,
Bachelor of the Civil and Canon Laws, as also a man of great knowledge
in the muncipal laws of the country, was elected to this See on tlie
26th of November, 1421, and he died a.d. 1427. In 1428, Thomas
i3arry succeeded, and he died, it is said, on the 3rd of March, 1459.
David Hacket was next in order, and sat about eighteen years, having
died on the 24th of October, 147S. John O'Hedian succeeded, and
Hiberniae," p. 10, edited by Very Rev. °i See Harris' " Ware," vol. i.. Bishops
Richard Butler, A.B., M.R.I.A., Dean of Kilkenny, pp. 407 to 411.
of Clonmacnoise. ^- Afterwards he was promoted to be
'^'^ See Rev. Sylvester Malone's Archbishop of Armagh.
" Church History of Ireland," chap, ix., ^^ g^g " Annales Breves Hiberniae
pp. 250 to 265. auctore Thaddeo Dowlinp cancellario
THE QUEExN's county PORTION OE OSSOKV DIOCESE.
135
having sat about seven years, he died on the Otli of January, 1486.54
After his death, owing to the RebelHon of Lambert Simnel'and the
unquietness of the times, the See of Kilkenny remained vacant about
two years. At length, Pope Innocent VIII. appointed Oliver Cantwell,
- a Dommican Friar, as bishop, in 14S8 ; but this was not confirmed by
King Henry VII., until the 28th of February, 1495. Worn out with
old age, Bishop Cantwell died early in the year 1526, having
governed this See almost thirty-nine years.55 In 152S, Milo
FitzGerald, an Augustinian, as also Canon and Prior of Inistiock
or Inisteague, was appointed Bishop by Papal Brief, dated June
June 8th of that year,^*^ and accordingly he was consecrated Bishop of
Ossory. He is also called Milo Baron, as he belonged to that Branch of
the FitzGerald family who were Palatine Barons of Burnchurch, in the
County of Kilkenny.57 His priory was held by dispensation, until the
Visitation of Religious Houses in the time of King Henry VIII. It was
then surrendered by deed to that monarch. Milo died at a good old
age m 1550 ; some have it in 1551. He was buried among his ancestors
in the monastery at Inistiogue.5«
The celebrated John Bale,59 was made Protestant Bishop in Christ
Church, Dublin, by George Ih-own, Protestant Archbishop of that See,
and advanced to Ossory on the ist of February, 1553.^'^ During the
reign of King Henry VIII., he had been imprisoned^for preaching against
the Catholic Religion, but he was set at liberty through the interest ol
Ford Cromwell. A little later, September, 1553, he was forced to fly
into Lower Germany, where he lived for eight years.6i Thence he re-
turned to England, and through procurement of King Edward VI.,
lie was nominated for the See of Ossory, and with his family, he went
l.'.'chliiicnsi, p. 2<,. Edited by the Very
Kcv. Richard Butler, A.B., M.R.I. A.,
Dc-an ut Cluiunacnuise.
'-^ Sec Harris' " Ware," vol. i., Bishops
.if Kilkenny, pp. 411 10414.
'-'■' See Sir jaines Ware, " De Pras-
biilibus Lagenia^." Episcopi Ossorienses
p. 84.
"^ See Dr. Mazicre Brady's "Episcopal
Succession," Vol. i., p. yjz.
'•' Tliey were orij^inaUy created by the
llar!:> r.il.itine of parts of the country.
An .i>.ciiunt of them may be found in the
!<'.•;> irts of Sir John Davis, p. 65.
-" SoiM..- wnurs have it, that John
lUr.l, I'roviiKiil of tlie Carmelites,
lud be -11 tr.nisLited from the See of
Kilkenny to that of Bangor, on the
.uil iif beincinher, 1539; but this is in-
Correct, lor .Milo I-iiz-C.erald or Baron
w.vs then and for long before Bishop of
Kilkenny. See Godwin's " Dc l'r.e:.uh-
bus .\ngl:;e CommentiLrius," 6:c., p. 540. It
Is added, that Bird was proniotecl from
iJangor to Chester in 1533, liecause he
preached sermons before King Henry
\ III. against the Poj'c's supremacy. He
was dey)rived in the reign of QueenMary
lor being married, and he died at
Chester in 1556.
''■'He was born in England at a
village called Cove, five miles from
Dudwich, in the County of Suffolk,
November 21st, 1495. He ^vas edu-
cated for a time at Norwich, where he
became a Carmelite friar. He after
wardsstudied in JesusCollege, Cambridge.
There, as he states, a temporal
i.ord, Thomas Wentv/orth, had caused
him to renounce Popery; and "to
throw off all marks of the beast,
he married a faithful wife, according
to the Divine precept, he that hath not
the gijt of continence, let kim marry." Such
is the account in a Book of Persecutions
written by himself, and also in his more
celebrated work : " Scriptorum Ilius-
triuin Majoris Britannia\" 'ic, Cent,
viii., cap. 100, p. 702. However, Bishop
Nicholson pleasantly remarks : " In
truth, his wife Dorothy seems to have
had a great hand in that happy work." —
" English Historical Library," part ii..
chap, viii., p. 130. Eondon edition,
1776, 4to.
'"^ See the particulars of that ceremony
in Very Rev. Dr. Laurence Renehan's
" Collections on Irish Church History,"
edited by the Rev. Daniel MacCarthy,
vol. i., pp. 29, 30.
^^ See Sir James Ware, " De Prae-
sulibus Lagenia'," Episcopi Ossorienses,
p. S6.
^' See " Transactions of the Ossory
136 HISTORY OF THE QUEEN S COUNTY.
into Ireland. Afterwards he repaired to Kilkenny, l)ut there his preach-
ing of the Refornned Doctrine excited hostile demonstrations on the
part of the clergy and people. He enjoyed the ])roiits of his See onlv
six months, when King Edward VI. died, and Oneen Mary ascended
the English throne. Then one John O'Thonory, a native of Kilkenny
and a Canon Regular of St. Augustine, became the next Bishop in the
Catholic succession, having been appointed by the Queen's licence,
dated October 14th, 1553, but his election did not take {)lace until the
26th of December. He was consecrated early in 1554 and restored to
the temporalities on the 4th of January. In May, 1559, he was one of
the Commissioners aiJ[)ointed for civil and military purposes for the
County of Kilkenny. His name is also found in the list of those summoned
to Parliament in 1560. ^^ John Bale was obliged to lly from Kilkenny,
and thence to Dublin. He became a refugee for the second time, and after
many strange adventures, he escaped to Basil, in Switzerland. ^3 There
he remained for hve years. ^4 until the accession of Queen Elizabeth
to tlie English throne caused his return to England ; but he did not
desire a return to Kilkenny. <^'5 He was made a prebeiidary of the Church
of Canterbury on the ist of January, i55f)-i56o.6<J He published manv
works both in Latm and m English, of which he furnishes a catalogue in
his book on the Writers of Britain.^7 He died at Canterburv in November,
1563, in the sixty-eighth year of his age, and he was buried there in the
nave of the Cathedral. ^^ As a historian, he has borrowed the ground
plot of his principal works on the Writers of Britian from John Leland ; '"'
and, as Bishop Nicholson justly remarks : " the chief of his own super
structure is malicious and bitter invectives against the Papists." V'^
On this score, he is also condemned by Sir James \Vare,7i y^\iQ allows
him to be a learned man, nevertheless a constant preacher, and addicted
to antiquarian studies. r^Ioreover, he took care to have the ancient
charters of his See transcribed, and coniirmed with his own seal. He
was otherwise a benefactor to the Diocese. He died in 15(15.72
Archaeological Society," The Bishops "•' See Kymer's " l'\)eclera," torn, xv.,
of Ossory from the Anglo-Norman p. 563.
Invasion to the present Day, by Most ^^ See Dr. Tiiomas Fuller's " History
Rev. Dr. Moran, Lord Bishop of Ossory, of the Worthies of England," vol. ii.,
vol. ii., pp. 251, 252. p. 332.
"3 See M. Le Dr. Hoefer's " Nouvelle ss gee Bishop Tanner's " BibUotheca
Biographic Generale," tome iv., col. Britannica-Hibernica," p. 68.
275. His career is set forth, in The ^o j-j^g work is intituled " De illustri-
Vocacyon of John Bale to the Bishop- bus Britanni:e Scriptoribus," in Four
ricke of Ossorie in Irelande, his Perse- Books. John Pits says of Bale :
cutions in the same, and final " Hie Lelandi catalogum non tani
Delyveraunce. See " Harleian Tracts." prolixe auxit, quam prodigiose de
vol. vi., pp. 437 ct scq. prauauit. Omnia namque focdissimus
^* During this time, !:e there published scurra mendaciis et calumniis repleuit.
his best known work, " lUustrium Majoris et opus Lelanilipolitissimum pollutissimo
Britaiiniic Scriptorum, hoc est, Angli;e, stylo turpiter conspurcauit." — " Kela-
Cambri;t!, et Scotia;, Summarium," 1548, tionvm Historicarvm de Rebus Anghcis,"
fol. liefering to it, Dr. Thomas l<"uller tomus primus. Nota de Joanne Balajo,
states, that he " much advanta'^ed him- p. 53.
self by his folio edition of his Centuries " ''^ " The English Historical Library,"
— "Church History of Britain," vol. iv., part ii., chap, viii., p. 130.
book vii., cent, xvi., pp. 230, 231. '^1 He states " in scriptis vero (ut
Rev. J. S. Brewer's edition, Oxford, alibi dixi) effrenata usus est libertate." — •
1645, 8vo. ' De Scriptoribus Hibernia;," hb. ii.,
'"''' SeeCharlesKnight's "English Cyclo- cav. v., p. 136.
p;cdia: A new Dictionary of Universal ^^ gee Sir James Ware " De Pra;sulibus
Knowledge, Biography," vol. i., col. 501. Lagcnia;," Episcopi Ossorienses, p. Sy.
THE queen's county PORTION OF OSSORY DIOCESE. 137
The See of Ossory remained vacant for two years, until Queen
Elizabeth issued Letters Patent, dated May 7th, 1567, for the succession
of Christopher Gafney, Prebendary of Tipper, m St. Patrick's Cathedral,
Dublin. 73 That same month, he was there consecrated. He died on
the 3rd of August, 157O, and he was buried in a chapel on the north
side of the choir. Nicholas Walsh, the son of Patrick Walsh, formerly
Protestant Bishop of Waterford and Lismore, who had received Ins
education at Cambridge, and who had been Chancellor of St. Patrick's
Cathedral, Dublin, received his Letters Patent, dated January 23rd,
1577, '^^''d hs was consecrated Protestant Bishop of Ossory in the be-
gmning of Febraar\' following. While Chancellor of St. Patrick's
he and the Treasurer of that Cathedral, John Kerney,74 were the first
to introduce Irish types for printing into the kingdom of Ireland. An
order was obtained, likewise, that the prayers of the Church should
be printed in that language and characters, and that a church should
be set apart in the shire town of every diocese, where they were to be
read, and a sermon preached to the common people. With the assistance
of Nehemiah Donellan, afterwards Protestant Archbishop of Tuam,
and the said John Kerney, he set about translating the New Testament
into Irish. 75 A prolligate wretch, James Dullard, whom Bishoj; Walsh
had cited into his court for adultery, stabbed the prelate with a skein
in his own house, on the 14th of December, I58'5. Soon afterwards
the murderer suffered the punishment justl}' due for that crime. The
bishop's body was buried on the south side of the great aisle in the
Cathedral of Kilkenny. There a monument was erected to his memory. 7^
The See continued vacant for nine months after his death. 79
During the term of the Protestant Bishop, Dr. Walshe, Catholic
interests were confided to Vicars who received their appointments from the
Primate or other Representative of the Holy See. At length, Thoiuas
Strong, a native of the City of Waterford, was appointed Bishop in i^Sz^a
and he was consecrated at Home on the 5th of April. His name is also
found written Stronge, and Strang, and Strange. He remained in Ireland
only for a few months, but in disguise, and subject to various trials and
peisc'Mitioiis ; so tliat he was obliged to seek refuge in Spain where he
livn! in rxile at Coiiij-)(^>tella to the date of his death, January 20th, 1601. d
While llie Dean of the Cathedral of St. Canice held a kind of episcopal
jiiM-dietion ()V,r the Vicars Choral^o similar to that of the Dean of the
nittHii>i.htK\il Cluinh oi St. Patrick, Dublin; the Archdeacon formerly
^ See l>r. Maziore Br.nly's "Episcopal
SinceN--ion," \-iil, 1., p. jtJ4.
■''See " Transact ion.-, of llic Ossory
Arcliai ill ii;ical Socu't\'." vol. li., The
I!i-iln)ps ()( Ossory iruiu the An,L;lo-
Nnriiiaii Iin'asioii to the jiresent day,
li\- .M(i>i Krv. Dr. Moraii, i^ord Bishop
,1 . , , (ii ()i->iir\', pp. j^S t() 2()i.
tills uas e.xla:u lu iiumu-icript. He -, i. 1 '.1 . n • .•
,1, 1 , . ., ', , 'Ml hears the IoIIowiul: luscnptioii lu
died about the vc.ir I<*/>, and he ua- ,■ .i- , . •> ui t / i?
I,,,-, I ... c. I)'. !• II 11 ^ (.itlnc characters Hic acet Rever-
buric 1 111 St. Patrick s. Dull in. St e , ,, . v- 1 1 \,r 1 • ,
II ,.-, • .. w _ >• 1 .. »f . . I ndus I'ater Nicholaus Walshe, quondam
H.irris "Ware," vol. lu.. Writers ol , , • ,- ■ ■ ' 1 ^ 1
I, I „ 1 .. , , . , . , ( '-.scjrK-nsis I-.pisconus ; qui obut die
Ireland, hook 1.. that), xm.. p. oS. », ,^ , • ' ^ ^-^
' »•. I • ./^- Mcnsis Dcceiubns 14 Anuo Domini
"This was afterwards done from i.v^'S-"
the Creek text by William Daniel, "'■' See Harris' " Ware," vol. i.. Bishops
.\rchljishop of Tuam. See Sir James of Ossory, pp. 415 to 419.
Ware, " De Prasulibus I.ai;enia-'," '"" By ancient prescription he was also
lipiiCopi Ossorieiisfi. p. iS. lord of the manor over the Glebe,
fs <,.,
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»3^ HISTORY OF THE QUEEX'S COUNTY.
exercised an ordinary prescriptive jurisdiction each year over the whole
Diocese of Ossory, from the 30th of September to the 3rd of the following
February, and he had a moiety of the procurations paid to the bishop
in his ordinary visitation.
John Horsfall, a native of Yorkshire, received the Queen's Letters
Patent, dated September 15th, 1586, and was restored to the temporahties
of tlie See on the 17th, with a retrospect to the previous j\Iarch
.5th. _
During the exile of Dr. Strong the Catholic See was governed by \'icars
General ; hrst by the Rev. George Power, afterwards by the Rev.
Laurence Reynaghan about the year 1599. During his time on the death
of Queen Elizabeth, the 24th of March, 1603, the Catholics of Kilkenny,
with the approval of their Sovereign or Chief Magistrate William Archer,
took possession of their former churches ; but for this the latter was
thrown into prison, when he contracted a disease which proved fatal on
the 24th of August, 1604. However, Bishop Horsfall continued to reside
within the Diocese, and to declaim against the free exercise of their
religion by the " Romish caterpillars," as he styled the Catholic clergy.
Meantime, the Rev. William Brennan was Vicar General until he entered
the Franciscan Order in 1609. The Rev. Richard Fitzgerald succeeded
him in ofhce, and held it till the appointment of Dr. David Rothe.St
Having governed his See twenty years and about live months,^-: Bisho)^
Horsfall died on the 13th of February, 1609, and he was buried in St.
Canice's Cliurch.S3 His successor was Richard Dean, born also in
Yorkshire, and educated at Oxford. He sat but three years in this
See, and he died on the 20th of February, 1612. lie was buried there
in the same cathedral,^-i and a marble tomb was erected over him.'^*
The next in order was Jonas Wheeler by some said to have been a native
of Oxford and by others of Devonshire.^^ He was advanced to be Dean
of Christ Church, Dublin, by Letters Patent, dated March 9th, 1504. This
he held w conimendam after he had been consecrated Bisliop of Kilkenny
m St. Patrick's Church, by the Archbishop, Thomas, of Dublin. Bishop
Wheeler recovered several See-lands alienated from his Church, at consider-
able trouble and expense. He lived to the extreme old age of ninety-
seven years, and died at Dunmore on the 19th of April, 1640. Thence his
remains were conve3ed to Kilkenny, and buried in the Cathedral.^?
His successor m the See, Griffith Williams, born at Caernarvon
in Wales, had a chequered and stormy career ^s both before and after
his elevation to the See of Ossory, by Letters Patent of King Charles L
and dated July 19th, 1641, confirmed by Letters Patent dated the nth
of September following. On the 26th of the latter month, he was con-
where lived the inhabitants about the "'' See ibid., p. 90.
cathedral. Previously to 1641, he had a ■■^r See Harris' "Ware," vol. i.," Bishops
seneschal, as also courts, leet and baron. ol Ossory," p. 420.
81 See "Transactions of the Ossory «8 in 1674, be pubHshed a book, which
ArclKcological Society, vol. 11., pp. 261 may be regarded as an Autobiography.
*"o.f^-^' r-- T TTT i,^ x^ ,• ^^^ ^^^ contained an account of his
s- Sec Sir James Ware, De Prajsuh- persecutions and sufferings but in an
busLagcnioe," EpiscopiOssorienses.p.Sg. unbridled spirit of enmity and railing
^ 83 See Hams' "Ware," vol. 1., " Bishops against those from whom he had re-
of Ossory," p. 419. ceived real or fancied injuries. He was
8' See ibid., pp. 419, 420. a zealous loyalist, and he inveighs
8s Sec Sir James Ware, " De Prae- bitterly against the Puritans, " the long
sulibus Lagenia-," Episcopi Ossorienses, Parliament and their whelps," who
P- ^9- robbed him of all he possessed.
THE QUEEN'S COUNTY PORTION OF OSSORY DIOCESE. 139
secratcd by Launcelot, Archbishop of Dubhn. He had also a hcence
to hold the Deaner\' of Bangor in commeiidaui, which he did until his
death. This bishop had but a short enjoyment of his See, when the
great Insurrection of 1641 broke out, in less than a month after his con-
secration. The City of Kilkenny was one of the first that fell into
the hands of the Confederates ; and Griffith Williams having spent nearly
£300, without any return of revenue, was forced to fly into England.
Meanwhile, the Bishop had suffered many tribulations after leaving
Ireland. He was arrested by the Parliamentarians, and kept a
jn'isoner for some time at Northampton ; but on being released, he
became chaplain to King Charles I., and in that capacity he was at the
battle of Edge Hill, fought on the 23rd of October, 1642. Afterwards,
he stayed most part of the winter at Oxford, and thence he went to
Wales, returning to Ireland, where he continued until after the battle
of Naseby in 1645 .§9 On a mission from the Marquis of Ormond, he
again went to England, and once more he visited Dublin with letters
from the king to the former. From Ormond he received a sum of money,
and resolved on going to Wales ; but he was taken prisoner again, robbed
of all his money, and cast upon Ireland's Eye. Thence he made his
way to Dublin, when Dr. Loftus once more supplied him with money
to go to London. After many adversities, he resolved on returning to
Ireland, and at Holyhead, he received news of the preparations making
l)y Parliament for the Restoration of King Cliarles 11. On the Sunday
morning, landing in Dublin, he preached the same day at St. Bride's,
and he there prayed publicly for the king. The next morning he posted
to Kilkenny, where lie waited on the Marchioness of Ormond, and on
the following Sunday he preached in Kilkenny. Having mortgaged
Ins lands in Ireland for one hundred poundh, he again hastened to
London, wh.ere he printed a work, known as his Great Antichrist,
which he i/resenled to King Charles II., who very graciously received
it. When public affairs had thus been settled, Bishop Williams returned
• rice more to Irclantl, intending to live in his diocese. He then found
till.- tailirdr.il in ruins, and also his ej)iscopal palace. In the lattei, he
lit ted up one iudui to h\e in, and he laid out large sums to repair
thecalhodi.il. Aftrrw.ads, the bishop instituted various suits at law to
iccovcr Src-l.md thai had been alienated, o\\ing to the action of his pre-
< iL-i(-<<ir Tlioiiory. As tiie evidences for tlic Si'c liad been destroyed during
th" L:ii;.tt InMUTcction, lie was lor the most ]iart unsuccessful in those
.ittenipta, and he lost a large sum of money in law expenses.9o By
.m Act u{ rarlKi:m-ut.'" wliich disabled all sjtiritual persons from holding
l»ciul":c«:s in Engl.u.d and WaU-s, and in Ireland, at the same time,
tlific wab a ji.ii ticuLir i)roviso in favour of liishop Williams, who was
riKiMc-J to liuld the Deanery of liangor together with his bishopric,
iialil tlic auL;nK-ntation of £400 a year, mentioned in the Act of
^vttlcmcnt, sluniid be acconij)lished for him and for his successors.
** ITic career of this celebruteJ man materials. Our future references are
is set forth fully iu Thunios Carte's to thii Litter re-issue.
" Life of Jauies, Duke of Ormoiui," *" An account of these transactions
published in London, 1735. 1736, m is given in a treatise he \vrote, intituled,
tlirce (olio volumes. This v.ilu.iblc " .\ Small Part of the Great Wickedness
l>ioyraphical and historical work h<is and Sacrilcyiuus Dealings of the Great
been republished in Oxford, 1S51. Antichrist acted in the Diocese of
in six large Svo volumes, and this new Ossory."
edition has been revised and carefully ^^ Passed in the 17th and i8th,
Compared with the original MSS. CharUs IT., chap. 10.
MO HISTORY OF THE QUEEN'S COUNTY.
ft
Notwithstanding his various litigations and troubles, Bishop Williams
lived to an old age, engaged in acts of good nature, munificence, and
charity. He died at Kilkenny, on the 29th of ^larch, 1672, in his eighty-
third year, and he was buried on the south side of the chancel in the
Cathedral of St. Canicc.''-
The last Catholic bishop of Ossory, Thomas Strong, died in 1601,
nor had a successor to him been ajipointed, until in a consistory held
under Pope Paul V., it was determined that jnovision should be made
for the vacant See. Accordingly, at the instance of Cardinal Ferallo,
protector of the Church in Ireland, David Rothe,93 was nominated
and promoted soon afterwards to the See of Ossory, in 1618.94 His
rule was memorable, owing to the revolution caused in jniblic affairs
by the rising of October, 1641, which througlKuit the greatt-r ]-)art of
Ireland transferred power from the Puritancal {)arty to the Catliolics ;
and Kilkenny more especially became the centra of their government,
when the Confederation was there established. Sc\'eral of the Pro-
testant citizens in alarm fled for their protection to the well-fortified
Ormond Castle ; but. Lord iMountgarret and tlie Catholics offered to
secure their safety should they chose to return and occu[)y their houses.
However, they asked permission, and it was readily granted them, of
retiring to the stronghold of Carrick Castle. A guard of Catholic troops
accompanied them thither, but soon afterwards, most cTf the fugitives
resolved on proceeding to Waterford, thence to embark for England.y=i
As presiding over the diocese, Bishop Rothe took possession of the
ancient Cathedral of St. Canice, and held it during that memorable
period, while the Supreme Council of the Irish Confederate Catholics
ruled in Kilkenny.96 Ple was a very learned prelate, and he wrote
sc-veral valuable works. Chief among these was his " Analecta,"
the first i^art of which was published in 1616 ; the other part f()]lowed
in 1617 and i6ig, in Cologne, making the work complete. 97 lie figured
])rominently on the stage of public life, in the varied events that took
})lace during his episcopacy.98 Towards the close of his life, the
Confederate Catholics were driven to the last extremity, and besieged
in Kilkenny. Sir Walter Butler, with a small garrison of only three
hundred men, had made such a brave defence, that Cromwell granted
honourable terms to them, and even complimented them for their
gallantry. After the taking of Kilkenny b}^ the English on the 20th
of March, 1650, Axtell's regiment was quartered in the Cathedral,
where the soldiers destroyed the sumptuous tomb of the Ormond family
°- See Harris' "Ware," vol. i.," Bishops republished, and edited with an in-
of Ossory," pp. 420 to 427. troduction and notes, by JMost Rev.
83 He was born in the City of Kilkenny, Patrick F. Moran, Bishop of Ossory,
A.D. 1568, and he belonged to a wealthy Dublin, 1884. Svo.
family. '-'b A full account of him we liave in the
'■*■' See W. Maziere Brady's " Episcopal Rev. Charles P. iMeehan's " Rise and
Succession," &c., vol. i., p. 364. Fall of the Irish Franciscan Monasteries,
"5 See the Rt. Rev. Bishop Moran's and Memoirs of the Irish Hierarchy,
account of Dr. David Rothe in the in the Seventeenth Centurv," with
" Transactions of the Ossory Archieolo^i- Appendix containing numerous original
cal Society," vol. ii., pp. 307, 30S. Documents. Fourth edition, 1872,
°^ See Rev. M. J. Brenan's " Ecclesia- i8mo, Irish Hierarchy, &c., chap, vi.,
stical Histcjry of Ireland," Seventeenth pp. 174 to 197.
Century, chap, iii., p. 519. Second "''See an account of this siege in
edition, Dublin, 1864, Svo. Thomas Carte's " Life of James, Duke
^^ Latterly the " Analecta of David of Ormond." dec. Vol. hi.. Book v.,
Rothe, Bisliop of Ossory," has been pp. 530, 537.
THi: QUEEN S COUNTY PORTION OF OSSORY DIOCESE.
141
and committed many other saciilegious depredations.99 Tliis venerable
prelate lived but a short time alter the overtlirow of the Supreme Council.i'^^
lie died in Kilkenny on the 20th of April, 1650, m the seventy-eiijhlh
year of his age.ioi While Cromwell's army was m occupation of tlic
city, Bishop Rothe's interment took place with religions ceremonies,
and it was unmolested. He left a work in manuscript, intituled'
" Hierographia Hibernia?," treating on the Irish Saints, 102 which
now appears to have been lost. 103 Several years passed after the death
of Bishop Rothe before his successor could be apjjointcd, m the person
of James O'Phelan, Prothonotary Apostolic and P.P. of Callan.'oi
His episcoj-ial career was distinguished for the many Synods he was
able to hold, under very trying ditiicuties. In April, 1689, he welcomed
King James II. to Kilkenny. 105 He died a.d. 1695.
On the 28th of April, 1672, John Parry, son of Edward Parry,io6
Bishop of Killaloe,io7 born in Dublin, and educated there in Trmity
College, was consecrated Protestant Bishop of Ossory, in Christ Church,
by Michael, Archbishop of Dublin, and he was enthroned in Kilkenny
the September following. He was reputed to be a learned man,'"^
and as a bishop, he was popular among his clergy, and a great benefactor
to his church. During his incumbency, this prelate obtained many
immunities and impropriations for the benefit of his See ; while the
Duke of Ormond was his chief patron and adviserjn the proceedings
necessary to be adopted in attaining such ends. He also obtained a
charter to confirm privileges belonging to the ancient Corporation oi
Irishtown, Kilkenny, of which the Ossory bisho[)s were deemed to be
prescriptive lords, claiming a right ti) a]i[)ro\'e its chief magistrate
at elections. i"9 However, it is not greatly to Bisliop Parry's credit,
^"^ See Dr. Tliomas Leland's "History
of Ireland," vol. lii., book vi., chap. i..
p. 362.
101 Por a very complete IMenioir of
this illustrious Bishop, the reader is
referred to that account of him con-
tained in the Most Rev. Dr. JMoran's
Bishops of Ossory from the Anglo-
Norman Invasion to the present Dav.
" Transactions of the Ossorv Arch.uo-
lo'^^ical Soi"iet\%" vol. ii., pp. 199 to
410.
^"- Archbishop Ussher had seen it,
and quotes a considerable passage
from its pages in his work " De Prim-
ordiis Britannicarum Ecclesiarum," cap.
xvi., p. 7^y.
I'j' See Harris' " Ware," vol. iii.,
" Writers of Ireland," book i., chap. xiv.
1-5-
'"* His succession as Bishop took
l")lace in 1669. See Wm. .Maziere
i'rady's " Episcopal Succession," cvc,
vol. i., p. 366.
'"^ Sec an account of him Ijy Most
Rev. i)r. Moran in the Bishops of
Ossory from the Anglo-Norman In-
vasion to the present Day. " Trans-
actions of the Ossory .Vrclurological
Society," Vol. ii., pp. 416 to 451.
U"! Wfj ^y^^ ^ native of Newry, Co.
Down ; a 1?..\. of Trinity College
Dublin, in 1620, and he became Fellow
of T.C.D. in 1624 ; liowever, as he held
an ecclesiastical benelice and a college
living more than three miles from the
college, contrary to the statutes and
the oath of a Fellow, in 1628 his Fellow-
ship was declared vacant. See Rev.
Dr. John William Stubbs' "History
<jf the University of Dublin," &c.,
vol. 1., chap, iv., pp. 55, 56, and notes, p.
343-
'"'■ He became Dean of Lismore in
1040, and Bishop of Killaloe in 1647,
holding the treasurership of Christ
Church i): coini)iciida)n with his bishopric.
He died in Dublin, of the plague then
raging there, on the 20th of July, 1650,
and he was buried in St. Audoen's
Church. He wrote a book, published
alter his death, by John Parry, his son,
and it was intituled " David Restored,
or an Antidote against the Prosperity
of the Wicked, and the Afllictions of
the Just, shewing the diUerent ends
of both in a seasonable Discourse on
the 73rd Psalm," Oxford, a.d. iooo.
Svo.
10s j-je wrote several treatises, enume-
rated in Walter Harris' "Ware," vol. ii.,
" Writers of Ireland," book i., chap, xiv.,
p. io6.
lO'-- See W. B. S. Taylor's " History
14:
HISTORY OF THE QUEEN S COUNTY.
that he ordered the handsome monument no erected to David Rothe
in the Cathedral to be defaced, because an inscription '" on it stated,
that he had driven heresy out of Kilkenny in 1642. The arms and
images on that monument shew the remains of curious gilding. "2 j\n<.
Will of Bishop Parry is dated October 19th, 1677,1^3 and by it he left
various bequests for charities and ecclesiastical purposes to Kilkenny and
Dublin. He desired especially, that he should be buried in or near
his deceased father's grave, in St. Audoen's Church, Dublin. In this
city he died, on the 21st of December, in that same year, and, as he had
desired, his body was buried in the same tomb with the remains of his
father. "4 His brother, Ik^njamin Parry, also born in Dublin and
educated in Trinity College, ^^^ was, through the influence of the Duke
of Ormond, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, advanced to the See of Ossory
by Letters Patent, dated January 24th, 1678.11^ Three days afterwards
he was consecrated in Christ Church, Dub]in.ii7 However, he did
not long survive his brother ; for he died in the palace at Kilkenny
on the 4th of October, of that same year. His body was convened
of tlie University of Dublin," chap, x.,
sect, ii., pp. 369, 370.
11" This monument is of black marble.
A ledger, consisting of a cavetto and
ovolo, -with their lists, serves for the
the base of the monument, and upon
it there is a frieze adorned with foliage.
At each end, there is a plain field or coat
designed for coats of arms, but it is left
blank. Over each end of the frieze
springs an abutment, upon which
originally stood two columns of the
Corinthian Order, which are now talvcn
away, and the entablature is at present
su[)])orted by two plain pilasters, wdiich
stood behind the columns. Between
these pilasters are two imposts, on
which an arch rests, in form of a gate
or fiat niche. That which rej^resents
the gate contains the inscriptions.
Over the corner of the left impost is
cut the i'J/iL;irs of Saint Kicran, with a
mitre on his head and a crozier in his
hand, his name being carved underneath.
Over the corner of the right impost is
\\\QrjJtgies of Saint Canice, with a mitre at
his foot, a cro/.ier in his hand, and a monk's
hood on his head, with his name under-
neath. The pilasters support an entabla-
ture com posetl of an architrave, frieze, and
cornice, the frieze being adorned with
roses. Over the entablature there is
another table, on \vliich is carved a
representation of our Saviour on the cross,
and on each side a woman weeping.
From each side of that table springs a
scroll, which rests upon the extremities
of the entablature ; and over the table
is a large ovolo, which serves for a
cornice to it. On each side of the ovolo,
there is a block or cube adorned with
flowers, and between there is another
talile arch-wise. Upon this the Rothe
family coat of arms is fixed, and it con-
sists of a stag trippant, gules, leaning
against a tree vert. Over this coal
hangs a canopy, with strings pendant,
and terminating with fringed knots.
A small pedestal stands on top of the
arch, and upon its die are the letters
I. H. S. This crowns the whole monu-
ment.— See Harris' "Ware," vol. i.,
" Bishops of C)S3ory," p. 427.
^'1 The only part of this remaining are
the following words ; —
Deo optimo Maximo,
Et Memorise Davidis, Episcopi Ossorieii-
sis, qui,
Hanc Ecclesiam Cathedralem S. Canico
Sacram.
A.D., 1642.
The following distich also remains :— -
Ortus cuncta suos repetunt, Matremque
requirunt,
Et redit ad nihilum, quod fuit ante nihil.
11- It seems probable this tomb and
inscription had been prepared during
Bishop Rothe's lifetime, and that the
latter had been of his own composition.
II-'' Still preserved in the Prerogative
Office.
11* See Harris' "Ware," vol. i, " Bisho])s
of Ossory," pp. 427 to 429.
ii'' His first promotion was to a
prebendal stall in York Cathedral, which
he resigned, when appointed Cha|4ain to
Capel, Earl of Iisscx, Lord Lieutenant
of Ireland. The latter promoted hiiu
to the Deanery of St. Canice, in 1673,
and to that of St. Patrick, r3ulilin, in
1674. See W. B. S. Taylor's " History
of the University of Dublin," chap, x.,
sect, iii., p. 370.
ii" By several writers the year has
been erroneously set down as 1677 —
doubtless through mistaking the entry
1677-78 new style.
i''' He wrcjte a book intituled
THE queen's county PORTION OF OSSORY DIOCESE. 14-;
to Dublin, and there it was deposited with the remains of his fatlier and
brother, in St. Audoen's Church.^ '^
Next to him in the See of Ossory was Micliael Ward, a native of
England, but whose education was received in the Dublin University ;
and by the Duke of Ormond, he was advanced through Letters Patent
dated the 8th November, 167S. On the 24th of tliat same month,
he was consecrated by Michael, Archbishop of Dublin, m Christ Church
Cathedral. Afterwards he was translated to the See of Derry, by
Letters Patent, and dated January 22nd, 1679.119 Michael Ward
was succeeded by Thomas Otway, a zealous Royalist, translated from
the united Sees of Killala and Achonry to the See of Ossory on the
7th of February, 1679, ^o which he was in various ways a benefactor.
He died in the Episcopal House, Kilkenny, on the 6th of March, 1692,
in the seventy-seventh year of his age.^-o He was buried near the west
door of his Catliedral, where an humble marble stone bears a simple
inscription, 121 cut in curiously-ilourished and large italic characters. 122
On the recommendation of the exiled monarch, James H., William
Daton or Dalton was appointed Catholic Bishop of Kilkenny in i696,^-'^
and in a Consistory held on the 23rd of January, for exercising the
office of his ministry, he was arrested and sent into exile in April, 1698,
when at Mans in France he resided, and died there on the 26th of
January, 1712.^-"^
Next in order of Protestant succession after Ward came John
Hartstonge, born at Cattan, near Norwich, in England, and son of Sir
Standish Hartstonge, Baron of the Exchequer in Ireland. He was
educated, however, in the schools of Charleville and Kilkenny. i^s From
the latter, he was admitted to Trinity College, Dublin. Afterwards
he went to Cambridge, where he became a Fellow of Caius College in 17S1.
Soon afterwards, he was appointed chaplain to James, Duke
of Ormond, then Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. After his death in 1688,
Hartstonge acted as chaplain to his grandson, James, Duke of Ormond,
during his four first campaigns in Flanders. Through his influence,
King Wilham III. advanced Hartstonge to the See of Ossory, by letters
patent, dated April 8th, 1693. '-^^ He was translated to the See of Derry,
by letters patent, dated IMarch 3rd, 1713.^-7 He was succeeded by
Sir Thomas Vesey, born at Cork, was son of Dean John Vesey, after-
wards Archbishop of Tuam. His early studies were at Eton, and
afterwards at Oxford, where he became a Fellow of Oriel
" Chymia Ccelestis. Drops from Heaven ; 123 gee William Maziere Brady's
or Pious Rleditations on several places in " Episcopal Succession," &c., vol. i..
Scripture," London, 1659, 1672, umo. p. j66.
^^^ See William Monck Mason's ^-* See Most Rev. Bishop Moran's
" History and Antiquities of the Bishops of Ossory from the Anglo-
Cathedral Church of St. Patrick, near Norman Invasion to the present Day.
DubUn," book ii., chap, iv., sect, iii., " Transactions of the Ossory Archa;o-
p. 200. logical Society," vol. ii., pp. 452 to 476.
'^^SeeHarris' "Ware," vol.i., " Bishops 125 j^ ^^g diocesan Grammar school,
of Ossory," pp. 429, 430. known as the College, and founded by
^-'^ See tii'd, pp. 430, 431. the celebrated James, Dukeof Ormond.
^^^ It reads thus : Hie jacet Thomas ^-^ See Archdeacon Henry Cotton's
Otway Ossoriensis Episcopus qui obiit " Fasti Ecclesice Hibernic;e," vol. ii.,
sexto die Martii, 1692-3, Atatis suai 77. Diocese of Ossory, pp. 282, 283.
122 See the " History, xVrchitecture, ^^'^ He died in DubUn, January 30th,
and Antiquities of the Cathedral Church 1716.
of St. Canice, Kilkenny," by the Rev. ^-^ See Archdeacon Henry Cotton's
James Graves, A.B., and John Augustus " Fasti Ecclesiae Hibernicie," vol. ii..
Prim, sect, ii., chap, ii., p. 315. p. 283.
144
HISTORY OF THE QUEEN S COUNTY,
College. He was created a baronet on the 13th of July, 1698,
before he entered for orders. Having l)een aiiiiointed by the Lord
I-ieutenant of Ireland, Vesey was received into the family of the Duke
of Ormond, who recommended him to Queen Anne. She advanced
him to the See of Killaloe, on the 12th of June, 1713, and on the 12th
of the following month, he was consecrated in Christ Church, Dublin.
He was translated to the See of Ossory by letters patent, dated April
27th, 1714,^-8 and enthroned on the succeeding i)lh of May. On the
6th of AugtTSt, 1730, he died in Dublin. i"9
On August 0th, 1713,130 the Propaganda selected for the vacani
Catholic See of Ossory the Rev. Malachy Dulany :. and he was consecrated
Bishop at Dublm, February 17th, 1714. He died in the year 1731.131
The Protestant See of Ossory remained vacant for several months.
I'MwardTennison, Doctor of Divinity in Cambridge University, Archdeacon
of Caermarthen and Rector of Sundrich in Kent, was promoted by letters
patent of King George H., and dated June, 1730. He was very zealous
for the propagation of the Protestant religion. 132 He died in Dublin
November 29th, 1735,133 and he was buried there in St. Mary's Church. i34
In January, 1735, Dr. Charles Este i3'5 became Bishop of Ossory,i36
on recommendation of the Duke of Dorset, then Lord Lieutenant of
Ireland. He was consecrated at St. Werburgh's, Dublin, on the ist
of February, and he was enthroned at Kilkenny, Marcl\ ist. He ex-
pended a large sum on the improvement of his See residence. In
1740, he was translated to Waterford.i37
The Brief of Dr. Patrick O'Shea's appointment to the Catholic See of
Ossory is dated July the 2Sth, 1731.13S His episcopate only lasted for
iive years. He died in 1736.139 Through the inlluence of the Pretendei,
'- ' See Harris' " Ware," vol. i., Bishops
of Ossory, p. 432, and Bishops of
Ivillaloe, pp. 598, 599.
'■"^ See Wm. Mazicrc Brady's " Epis-
cojial Succession," vol. i., p. 367.
^-*' For an account of him see Most
Rev. Dr. INIorau's " Bishops of Ossory
from the' Anglo-Norman Invasion to
the present Day, " Transactions of the
Ossor)? ArcluL'logical Society," vol. ii.,
pp. 476 to 488.
^^- By a codicil to his will, and dated
June 23rd, 1735, he left to one IMichnel
Stephenson, a deacon, during his lile
£40 per ainiKiii, to catechize the
children of Papists in Kilkeasy Parish.
This was a wild and mountainous part
of the Diocese. Stephenson was
obligetl to reside there under the penalty
oi forfeiting his pension. Also /20 was
bequeathed to the Incorporated Society
for promoting English Protestant
Schools. To every incumbent and
curate in the Diocese of Ossory, the
Bishop bequeathed one copy of the
latest edition of Chilliugworth's
" Religion of Protestants." i\Ioreover,
he left /lo to each parish towarels Inning
redlir balks, laths, and slates, for
covering small oratories to be built,
and for enlarging the roofs of those
oratories, which at the time of his death
should be built withm the ruined walls
of the churches of Aghmacart, Ros-
connell, Kildcrmogh, Kdbeacou, Lister-
ling, and Kilkeasy.
1^3 See Archdeacon Henry Cotton's
" Fasti Ecclesia; Hibernicrc," vol. ii.,
p. 283.
1^* See Hams' "Ware," vol. 1., Bishops
of Ossory, pj). .132,433.
!■■'"■ He was born at Whitehall, and
educated at Westminster School, and
thence he entered 0.\;ford. In 1724,
he became domestic chaplain to Hugh
Boulter, Archbishop of Armagh, and
through his mtluence, he held various
benefices in that diocese. See Harris'
" Ware," vol. i.. Bishops of Ossory, p. 433.
1^" See " Eiber Munerum Publicoruni
HibernicU ab. An. 1152 usipie ad 1827,"
vol. ii., part v., p. 4().
13" See Arcluleacon Henry Cotton's
" Fasti Ecclesia; Hibernica;," vol. ii.
p. 284.
'■'■'See William IMaziere ]ira<ly's
" l!;piscoj)al Succession," vol. i., j) 3(17.
>-"^ See Most Rev. Dr. Moian's liisliops
of Ossory from the Aiigl.j-Norman In-
vasion to the present Day, " Transac
tions of Ossory Archaeological Society,"
vol. ii., pp. 488 to 491.
1*0 See William Maziere Brady's
" Episcopal Succession," vol. i., p. 308
Till;. (.iri.i:N S COUN'TV POKTION OF (JSSOKV DIOCESi:.
145
CI! the 5tli ul (.K-t'.lii-r, i7;'>.'-i'J a l^rict was obtained at Rome for the
apjKjmtniciii of I-\aln.T Colinan ()'Siia,^hncssr\', a Dominican, to the
I'lshdjiiu: of ().-si>iy.'i' He died at Gowian, on the 2nd of September,
I7.}N.'5- and hr w.i^ iiHrned. it is saiil, in the cnnetery attached to St.
J<'l.ns ("ath'.'h. ( liwu h, called St. Stiplitu'^ Cemetery. M3
In 174'), Dr. Anthony Dt)j'pmL;,'i» son of Anthony, I'.i-hop of Meath,
l^cune i':<>;. .,i...:.t I',:-hoj) of OaM^ry, on July Hiih. He was enthroned
on the i.jth of Au^ll^t of that year. lie died in January, 1743, and
lie was buii'-d at M. Andrew's, Dublin. M5 In 1743, Dr. Michael Cox
u.is .1; •■■;:.ied lu the Sec of (3^^ory. He was the son of Sir Richard
(i>\,'i' f.«'rd (.'h.uuellor of Irel.ind. Having become Chaplain to the
Duke •-! (»:mond, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, he was made Rector
t.J r,i!!.ia .iiul Chancellor of Kilkenny. He was advanced to the See
<>l Kiji.c:jny by Letters Patent, dated April I4tli, and on the 29th of
M.iy. he w.is consu-rrated Bishop in St. Patrick's, Dublin. In 1755, he
Vk.is tr.m-lated to the Archbisliopric of Cashel.M?
(»n l>t:cemher 17. 174S, the Rev. James B. Dunne was appointed by
A|.'o>t(.hc Brief to tlie Catholic See of Ossory.148 He appears to have
sufjeicd imich through illness, and he retired from active duty in 1753.
He s^uled for L'rance in I757,and died there on the 30th of April, 1758. '49
r.i>hoi) Thomas Burke, or De Burgo, born in Dublin about the year
iji/(), was sent to Rome for his education when qifite j-oung, and in
17J4, he was invested with the habit of the Dominican Order. In
1741 commissioned by the Irish clergy, he obtained from Pojje Benedict
.\I\'. th.e confirmation of ten new offices for Irish saints. In 1743,
lie returned to IreLind. In 17.}'; ami in 1737 he was dehnitor m a
['fo'.-ii.' i.\l (li.ij'ter of his order. In 1751), lie was promoted to the
.'^ee ol I '.--oiy.'i'J i'hib Very learned ])ielate compiled an invaluable
Work in Latin, and l:nown as "llibernia Dominicana," which
was ]':i!ited b\- Mib-'iip!ion ill Kilkennv, A.T). I7()J, although the
title ; .:.!• statv > at Cologne, and it h.ul to be surreptitiously cir-
iul.i'(d, owit.g to th.e Ii.Ji.i I:\pur^iitoritis against the issue of
r,itlsi.)hc I'.Kik- .it that time. A " Supplementum "was added
1:1 1/7-'. 'ri.e.vc lK>jki furnished a very comitlete History of the
Do.-iui.aan Didei in Iieland. Yet, strange to state, the work was
< oiuleiiira.'d by w:ven of the Irish bishops as tending to weaken
■di'-»;u:.* V to the I'rote>tant government, to disturb the pul-)lic ]UMce,
"' >-t< M wi'. Kcv. L>r. M.ir.iu'i iiibhips
*-l c>;5. :\ Uuiii tJ,c .Krigic.f-Nurinau lu-
%Aw...'s Sj the jiitvrnt Pay. " Trans-
<n:».j.» tl the 0\>j:y .\ic!'..et,il"gic,il
SMrSv." \i! 11. J p. .{fyl lo 501.
•*' Nrc r>e liur,;.>» "HiIaiui.i Doiu-
irticaaa." chap, xiu , •^■kI. Lxxvm, pp.
VM. 5"'.
•"buch b the st.itcnicut of Dc
Hiir^.'o. aiul I am Kifi:i:.c-1 by tlic Kc\ .
Willuiiii Carnyan. CC, Duiruw, th^t liii
in.jniini'-nt is to l>c M.tn in Maiidliu
Mrcct churchyanl, Kilktiiiiy.
'♦* He was born iu 1075, anil 5ie was
c^lucatccl in Trinity College, l»ut'lin.
'•' Si<- .\rchdcacon Henry Cutton'b
I-"a-sti EccIe.-ii^L- Hibciiuca.-," vol. ii.,
l>iocc.sc uf ObSory, p. 2ii^.
na l[^. \^.^jy born at IJandon, County of
Cork. A.D. 1650. He wrote a celebrated
work, inlilulcd, " IlilK-rnia An^licana '
or tile Ilibtory of Ireland Ironi the Con-
quest thurcof by the English to the
present Tinie." It appeared in two
parts, one published in 1089, and the
other in I/Caj, in -ito. He died 111 1733.
!•' See .\rehdeaeon Henry Cotton's
" Fasti Ecclesi.e Hibernic.e," vol. ii..
Diocese of Ossury, pp. 264, 285.
'*" See William Maziere Brady's
" Episcopal Succession," &c., vol. i., p
3 08.
"'■' See Most Rev. Dr. Moran's Bishops
of Ossory from the Anglo-Norman In-
vasion to the present day, " Transac
lions of the Ossory Archaeological
SoLietv," vol. ii., pp. 501 to 504.
150 v^^.^. WiUiain INiaziere Brady's
" Episcopal Succi-ssion," &c., vol. i., p.
3'->9-
L
146 HISTORY OF THE QUHKN'S COUNTY.
to SOW the seeds of dissension, and to give a handle of offence to thosi-
who differed in rehgious principles from the author. lie died
in Kilkenny on the 25th of Septcmlxn", 1776.151
The Rector of Attanagh, and Precentor of Ossory, Dr. Edward
Maurice, 152 obtained letters patent for the Protestant" See of Ossory
January 24th, 1755, and on the 27th he was consecrated in St. Patrick's.
Dublin. He composed a poetical version of Homer's Iliad and Odyssey' 53
in blank verse, which has not been published. ^54 It is preserved amonj.'
the Trinity College iNISS. By his will, Bishop Maurice bequeathed
all his printed books to the Diocesan Library of Ossory/ 55 and left an
annual salary of £20 for a librarian, to be appointed by the BislKj],
of that diocese. While engaged on his parochial visitation, he died
at Charleville, near Tullamore, February 4th, 1756. On March
Kjth, 1756, Dr. Richard Pocockeis6 succeeded him as Protestant
Bishop of Ossory, and he was consecrated on the 21st, in St. Peter's
Church, Dublin. He was a learned writi-r, esi)ecially on the subject
of Eastern Antiquities. 157 He travelled through many countries of
the Orient, and among these were Egypt, Palestine, S}-na, Mesopo-
tamia, C\'prus and Candia. During the exercise of his ei)iscopate in
Ireland, he devoted much attention towards the illustration of Ireland's
monastic antiquities. He promoted the Rev. Mervyn Archdall '5^
to be his chaplain, and conferred on him the living of, Attanagh, while
the bishop's encouragement and patronage enabled that learned writer
to undertake his valuable " Monasticon Hibernicum." '59 Bishop
Pococke left narratives of his Travels in Scotland and Ireland, whicli
contain much valuable topographical and antiquarian information. I'J"
He never married, but a sister of the Bishop became wife of the Reverend
and very learned Joseph Bingham, celebrated author of the " Anti-
quities of the Christian Church." In July, 17O5, Bislujp Pococke
was translated to tlie See of Meath.'^^'
Dr. Charles Dodgson^'^- succeeded him in the See of Ossory, by
Letters Patent, dated July i8th, 17O5. He was consecrated August 14th.
'61 Set' Alfred Webb's " Coinpcndiiini the LCarl ul Ciiesterlield, Lord Licuteii;uit
of Irish L)io;ira])liy," p. 50. ol Ireland, he was promoted by the
1^2 Born ill Ireland, he was educated Crown to the Arcluleactjnry of Dublin,
in Trinity College, Dublin. i^^^ See S. Austin Alibone's " Critical
1^^ A brief notice of Bishop IMaurice's Dictionary of English Literature," vol.
version of Homer occurs in a letter, pill)- ii., pp. 1(113, 1*^^14.
lished in the " Antholoujia Hibernica." i^^ Born m Dublin, April 22nd, 1723.
154 For some e.xtracts, the reader is See Alfred Webb's " Compendium of
referred to Rt. Rev. Bishop Mant's Irish Biography," p. 5.
" History of the Church of Iralaml," vol. 1^'' Pulilished in Dublin, a.d. 1786, in a
ii., chap, iv., sec. ix., pp. 620, 621. thick 4to of 820 pages, witli an inde.x.
155 X7(junded by his predecessor Bishop '''"The Life of Bishoii Pococke has
Otway. See Archdeacon Cotton's " Fasti been written by Mr. Cumberland.
Ecclesias Hibernicns," vol. ii., Diocese of i''i He ditl not long survive ; for
Ossory, p. 285. during the ensuing month of September,
1^*^ He was son of the Rev. Richar ' while engaged in a visitation of his
Pococke, liector of Colmer, in Hamp- Diocese, he was suddenly seized with an
shire. Born in 1704, in Southampton, he apoplectic stroke, which sonn terminated
was educated at Corpus Christi College, fatally. See the Right Rev. Ricliard
Oxford. He was elected Fellow of the Mant's " History of the Church of Ire-
Royal Society. In 1725, he became land," vol. ii., chap, iv., sec. ix., pji.
Precentor of the Diocese of Lismore, and 623 to C27.
in 1734, he was appointed Vicar-General i"- He was an Englishman, educated
of the Dioceses of Waterford and Lis- at St. John's College, Cambridge. He
more. In 174^, he became Precentor of became Chaplain to the Duke of North-
Waterford. Having become Chaplain to umberland, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.
rm-; (iti-i-Ns corsiv rnuiioN ui- ossouy diocese.
M7
He was 1i.m--I,\(c(l to Ivl]i!iiii. in 1773-"'' Dr. William Ncwcome,
I*;--i;(>lt ot l)riim(iic. was ti aii-1 itrd lo \\\c See of ( )>S(jr\', l)y Patent
(iatiil Ai'iil ijtli. 1773- In 177'). 1>\' Patriit Ni>\-ciul)fr cSth, and con-
><.ri.i(rd (in ilif i.jtli <'i that ni"iitli, m St. I'atiick's, DuMin, Sir John
H()t!Kini''-» l>iiar:!'- l'.i>h()i> i«l O.-^oi \-, win'ii l)i. William Xcwcome
was translatfti to th<" I'lMtc'd S<(.s ul Watciloiii ;ind Lisiiiuic. in 1782,
hi- was ti.in>!.il<(l to ("lo.slur.'*^^
Un the drath <>1 P.;>hoi) dr I)ur;^o, another Dominican Fatlier, John
Thojiias I"u«y, K'canie Cathohc l'i:-.lioj) of ()>-()iy in 1776.'^*^ During liis
«|>!s< i.|..it'-, hr i!u-!j.;riieall\' ilriiounced the thsturbanccs created by
\hc WhitelK>ys. and eau--rd tluui to be solemnly excommunicated m
the < ijunia > of Ills <hoi i-^( . lIl^ par-'oral letters also succeeded m
t<>t'rirsi,' older."'' On the death ot Dr. John (\ui)enter, Archbishoj)
• '1 l)u!'iiti. m ij>'\ Dr. 'I'roy \s.i^, ii.iuslericd Irom Ossory, and appointed
to nil th<- \a..iiit S<-e."^=^ He died on the ilth of May, 1S23. The
l^rv. John Dunnt-, born near I lallinakill, Queen's County, succeeded
Dr. Troy in the Dioctsc of Ossorw 1787.""' After a brief e})iscopate,
ar,<I jii the forty-fourth year of his age, lie was called out ot this life
M.a« h 15th. l/iScj. He is buried in the cemetery (jf St. Canice, Kilkenny,
where lus t<anb and its inscription are still to be seen.'7o Xhe Rev.
ja?(i>s I.aniLMii was his successor in 1789. '7' He died in 1812.
William lirre-ford, brother to the hist M iKiuis* of Waterford, Bishop
«'f Dr»)more, was made rrote>tant l^nshop ot O^sory, in 17S2, May 21st,
by Patent. After sittuig twelve yi-ai;., he was advanced to the Arch-
bi'-hoj'nc of 'I'uam, and sub^'i'iuntl\' he was created Ixiron Decies.
(t is st.tt-d, tint on the death of Richard Robin^on, Archbishop 01
Ai!n.i::li. Dr. W;il:am l>rie-loid had btx-ii disigiic(l to succeed him in
the Prim. I' V.'.- When thi- latter was made Aithbi-^ho]) of Tuam, in
iyu\. Ih. W.'in.'.:^ j.ouis < )'P>eiiiie,'73 on the 2(jth of January became
Iv,>hoji of (»--i t\ Ia- Patent. »7> and he was consecrated at Christ Church,
DuMin, on tlie I -I ,,t l-\-l.niai\- following. In December, 179S, he was
ti.iii.sl.itrd to >bat!i.':i lu i/\j[j, Jaiuiaiy 24th, Dr. Hugh Hamilton,
"' --rr " I.r- r M,:!). mm I'iiiMU uuin
}t»,'':!Lij .,'> .\n. n;j iivjuc .ivl kSj7,"
%«4 ;) . I .i;t v.. j>. .;').
"• Hr »4> i!u!:il.<r ul ;in old Ycirlv
»!ii!' i^:z.:ly. a:\'J \-::\ ui 1731;. He was
c'li'.-i'c-l at Itsiutv (.■«jl!r^f. Cainliriilge.
Hr l«.i!:ie Ch.ij'hiin to i]\v Marl of
IluciLij;,;har!j. l^:-\ I I'-utciiant of Irel.in<l.
»** llr i\\c4 "'A th'.; xu\ <>i Novfiiil)er,
t "■><:. S<-«-- .\rclulr.i< . .IS Henry Cotton's
" Ia»ti l!c<U^j.i.> HitHriiici.-," vol. ii..
l)ii<TM- oi O-vviry. j>. J">i.
'** Sec Willi.itn Ma/iere llr.uly's
'* I".{'i'>t;ujj;il Succci.'iion," Ac, vol. i., j).
J/-"
»*• Sec H'-v. ,M. J. lircinn's •" larle-
siabtical Hi.itory of Ircl.iiu!," lai;h-
tienth Century, ch:i]i. i., ji. sfi;.
"■' Sic a very s.iti^factory account of
him in John D'.Mlun, " Memoirs of the
.■\rchljishops of DubUu," pp. 460 to 4S7.
x" Sec William Mazierc Brady's
"Episcopal Succession," Ovc, vol. 1., p.
>••' Sec " Transactions of Ot;2ary
Archa^olocric?t Soci<?tv," vol. ii., Misto/v'
of the Catholic Schools of Kilkenny, by
the Kev. Nicholas Murphy, pp. 151 to
•5'-
'■' Sec William Maziere Brady's
" Episcopal Succession," Ac, vol. 1., p.
37<^>-
'''^ However, Bishop Newcome was
selectetl for that position, and translated
from Waterford and Lisniore in January,
1795. ^'-"'-' Bishop Mant's " History of
the Church i>l Irelaiul," vol. ii., chap, v.,
sec. VI., p. yj,^.
'"^ He was born in the County of
Longford, about the j'ear 1748. His
father, a Catholic farmer, intended him
for the priesthood, and sent him to St.
Omer's ; but the son renounced the
re!ii;iou of his family and ancestors. He
then was appointeil Chaplain to the
British Ideet, under Admiral Lord Howe.
In 17S2, he returned to Ireland, as Pri-
vate Secretary to the Duke of Portland,
Lord Lieutenant of Ireland,
'"* See " Liber Munerum PubUcorum
Hibcrnije ab An 115:; usque ad 1827,"
vol. ii., np.rt v., p. 47.
148
HISTORY OF THE QUEEN S COUNTY.
l^ishop of Clonfert, was thouce translated to Ossory.'?^ He died
December ist, 1S05, at Kilkenny, and was buried there in his Cathedral. i77
A distinguished Fellow, and subsequently Provost of Trinity College,
Dublin, Dr. John Kearney, 178 succeeded in the See of Ossory, January
20th, iSob, by Letters Patent. He was consecrated in Trinity College
Chapel, on the 2nd of February, by the Archbishop of Dultlin. He dietl
at Kilkenny, on the 22nd of May, 1813.179
The Rev. Kieran Maruni was appointed Catholic ]iishop in 1814. a
He departed this life in 1827. The Rev. William Kinsclla became
Catholic Bishop in 1829. ^^ *^^^*^^ ^^ i845-
Dr. Robert Fowler, Rector of Urncy, in the Diocese of Derry, and
Archdeacon of Dublin, became Protestant Bishop of Ossory,i8i by Patent
on June 17th, 1813. i^- He was consecrated in Christ Church, Dublin,
by the Archbishop of Cashel. Owing to the death of Bisho]) IClrington
in 1835, the Sees of Ferns and Leighlin became united to the See of
Ossory by Act of Parliament. Bishop Fowler died December 31st,
1S41, and he was interred in the Cathedral of St. Canice. />
After the death of Bishop Fowler, the Dean of Cork, James Thomas
O'Brien, D.D., was made Protestant Bishop of Ferns, Leighlin,
and Ossory, by letters patent dated March 9th, 1S42.1S5 He was con-
secrated in the Chapel of Trinity College, Dublin, on the 20th of JMarch,
by the Archbishop of Dublin, assisted by the Bishops of Meath and Cork.
He was enthroned at Kilkenny, April i6th, and at Leighlin, by proxy
on September 12th of that same j^ear.^^^ Bishop O'Brien was a man of
great intellectual ability, a forcible controversialist, and the author
of many theological treatises. He died in London on the 12th oi
December, 1874, in his eighty-third year, and on the 19th of that month
he was interred in St. Ciuiice's Churchyard, Kilkenny. '^7 Tlie Ke\-.
The Rev. Edward Walsh became Catholic Bishop in 1846.188 He died
in 1872. The next to succeed him was the Very Rev. Patrick Francis
'•'•' See Archdeacon Heiny Cotton's
" Fasti Ecclesiai HibernicLe," vol. 11.,
Diocese of Ossory, pp. 2SS, 289.
i'^" See Bishop^Mant's " History of the
Church of Ireland," vol. ii., chap, v., sec.
vii., p. 742.
^■'^ See Archdeacon Henry Cotton's
" Fasti Ecclesi;c Ilibernica'," vol. ii.,
Diocese of Ossory, p. 290.
'"■* His appointment as Provost was
made by the Marquis of CornwalUs, Lord
Lieutenant of Ireland. He succeeded Dr.
Richard INIurray, who died June 20th,
1799. See Dr. John William Stubbs'
" History of the University of Dubhn,"
chap, xiv., p. 27S.
^''•^ See Archdeacon Henry Cotton's
"Fasti Ecclesiai Hibernicse," vol. ii.,
Diocese of Ossory, p. 290.
(^ See William Maziere Brady's
" Episcopal Succession," &c., vol. i., p
371-
^81 See Patent Rolls of Chancery in
Ireland.
^^'- See " Liber Munerum Publicorum
Hibernia;, ab. An. 1152 usque ad 1827,"
vol, ii., part v., p. 47.
'1!' See Archdeacon Henry Cotton's
" fasti Ecclesiai Hibernicae," vol. ii.,
Diocese of Ossory, p. 290.
18^ See Willuun Maziere Brady's
" Episcopal Succession," eS:c.., vol. i., p.
37i-
^^■' A very complete biographical
account of this prelate has been set forth
by Rev. William G. Carroll, E.x. Siz., Ex.
SchoL, A.M., the late respected Incum-
bent of St. Brule's and St. Michael le
Pole's, Dublin, and it appeared orij^mally
in the Irish Times. With additions it
has been published with the title : " A
Memoir of the Right Rev. James Thomas
O'Brien, D.D. (late Lord Bishop of
Osbory, Ferns, and Leighlin) ; with a
summary of his writings, and Notices of
his Fellow-Townsmen : (the late) Pro-
vost Lloyd, Bishop Doyle, J. K. L., Rev.
G. W. Carr, R. S. Graves, Esq., M.P. ;
and of the town of New Ross," Dublin,'
1875. isvo.
1'^'^ See Archdeacon Henry Cotton's
" Fasti Ecclesice Hibernicx'," vol. ii..
Diocese of Ossory, pp. 290, 291.
187 See Rev. W. G. Carroll's " Memoir
of the Riglit Rev. James Thomas O'Brien,
D.D., (late Lord Bishop of Ossory, I'erns,
and Leighlin), Dubhn, 1875. Svo.
188 See Wilham Maziere Brady's
" Episcopal Succession," &c., vol. i. p
371-
I'AKOi IIIAL DIVISIONS— I'AKlbll OF AHUEVLLIX.
149
M.:.iii in 1S72. In iS'^.}, l^r. Moian was Iraiislatfd from the See of
i»— ..i\- lo th-- hujilv n-iMui-iMc position of Ariiibi>liop of Sydney,
in Au-ti,ili.i.'^ ' H'- u !■> enatcil Canlmal in I^^S3.
Hi.- Ku'ht Ki-v<icn.l Knl,rit Samuel Gyr'^i^ was (.•ducatcd at Trinity
("1.11. .:r. Duihii. \\h:c li<- I'M.k out his dr-nc of li.A. in the Sjirin^^
Tcim of 1S57. a:: i U-. .mi-- M.A. in tlie summer of i8()0.'9o He was
D.aaol Cork in J>7.;-75. ih- was .Ucted Protestant Bishop of Ossory,
I'c::r . and I.vii-hhn. on' th-- .\\]\ ol March, 1875. In the year 187S, he
\va-. tiar.^'.rifrd to Coik,''' and, atu-r a service of sixteen years, he was
« I(. \t .\ to th<- txalted position of Archbishop of Armagh and Primate
ar.d Miiioj..:jt.in ol all Ireland. On the 30th of August of the latter
>rar. su'-.ccdcd th" Ki^hl Kev. William Pakenham Walsh, educated
i:» liituty College. Dublin, where he obtained the degree of B.A. in the
S' :::!^' 'li-jni 011841, and became M.A. in the Summer Term of 1853. "^^
l(e \\.i'> D-aii of (■a>hel from 1873 till 1878,1''^ and having resigned,
the Kcv. John B. Crozier was elected to succeed, and consecrated in
.St. P.itrick's Cathedral, Dul)lin, on the Feast of St. Andrew, 1897.194
Tlj" vaeanry rau'^ed in the Catholic See by the translation of Bisho]-)
M..:.in"w.i> filled bv the Rev. Abraham Brownrigg, in 1S84.195
(■|IAl'Th:R v.— Parochial Divisions.— Parish of Abbeyleix.
Th! oii'^m of parishes is very ancient ; it seems to be traceable even
to tin- Pagan times of Greece i and Rome,- when small districts were
^et apart for public purposes. 3 In the time of St. Patrick and the early
Irisli missionaries, ecclesiastical parishes were not formed in Ireland,
although the churches were numerous, and ruled by chorepiscopi, or
priests approved and appointed by their spiritual superiors. It is (juite
evident, that formerly the distinctive parishes in the Queen's County and
li*'-' See tlie " Iri^li Catliolic Directory "
lur i.SSq.
'■'I' Sec Rev. ])r. James Henthorn
TodJ'.s " Catalogue of Graduates who
have proceeded to Degrees in the Uni-
versity of Dublin, from the earliest
recorded Commencements to July, i8'.o,
with Supplement to Decendier lOtli,
1868," p. 236, Dublin, 1869, 8vo.
'"i See Thoni s Irish Almanac and
Official Directory for the year 1876, p.
900.
1"- See Rev. James Henthorn Todd's
"Catalogue of Graduates," &c., p. 591.
i93^See Thorn's Irish Almanac and
Official Directory for the year 1879.
1"* See " The Irish Church Directory,"
for 1898.
ii'5 See the " Irish Catholic Directory,"
for 18S5.
1 The ecclesiastical terra, -n-apoiKia
means a collection of many houses or
of many • illages under a pastor who
serves them in a religious sense, and
who officiates in a particular church,
which is called the parochial church.
During the first four ages of the
Christian Church, it does not appear
that parishes or their pastors were
generally established. However, in the
time of the Emperor Constantine, in
nearly all the great towns of the Roman
Empire churches had been founded,
and priests were appointed to govern
them. In after times, the erection, the
rights, the revenues and the administra-
tion of parishes, being matters of discip-
line, were regulated bytheCanonlaw. See
Thomassin's " Discipline de I'Eglise,"
Premiere Partie, Liv. i., cap. 21, 22.
- Thus both parishes and parishioners
are described as parochi by Horace, in
that amusing account he has given of his
journey from Rome to Brundusium, in
the time of Augustus. See " Satiria,"
Lib. i., V.
3 See Rev. Joseph Bingham's " Anti-
quities of the Christian Church," Book
ix., chap, viii., ct scq.
* It is represented on the " Ordnance
150 HISTORY OF THE QUEEN S COUNTY.
the number of parish churches were far more numerous than at present ;
and several of these have undoubtedly l)een merged into existing paro-
chial arrangements. As more convenient for reference and description,
the alphabetical order has been adopted in the ensuing enumeration, and
only what is relevant to the local bounds, features, remarkable objects,
statistics, antiquities, and ecclesiastical history of each parish has been
selected ; other matters of more general accidental interest and of
political or historical imj^ortance being reserved for a subsequent divi-
sion.
The extensive jiaiish of Abbeylcix,4 comprising 13,547 statute acres,
lies chiefly in the l)aronies of Cullenagh,5 and Clarmallagh,'^ and paitly
in Maryborough West,7 and also in Fassadining,''> County of Kilkenny.9
Its general elevation above the sea-level is not considerable, much of it
ranging only from 298 to 324 feet. A great part of the ground is tlat
and of poor qualit3^ comprising much red bog or fibrous peat, ot a wet
and spongy nature, interspersed wth pools ; yet capable of miprovement
and drainage, as it lies in great part contiguous to the River Nore. Yet
ever, in the vicinity of the town of Abbeyleix, there is good arable soil,
and much of it is under cultivation.
The parish of Abbeyleix appears to have been formerly called
Clonkeen, under which name, but written incorrectly Cloneheene, it
a])pears on the Engraved Map of the Down Survey. ^^ At a remote
period, there was an ancient ecclesiastical establishment in the present
townland of Clonkeen, ^ near Cloncnagh,i- which circumstance probably
caused Sir Charles Coote to fall into the great error of ascribing a
religious foundation in Abbc^'leix to .\.D. boo, whereas the latter erection
took place many centuries later. There is a Clonkeen townland in the
present parish of Abbeyleix, but no record exists that notices an early
ecclesiastical establishment there, although the rums of a medieval
church are still to be seen ; '3 and probably it gave the name of Clonkeen
to the parish, before it obtained the name of Abbeyleix.
The old village of Abbeyleix, in the southern part of the Queen's
County, was situated on the river Nore.i4 From the religious foundation
there, the place was called Mainister Laoighise, or the Monastery of
Leix. It is said to have been in that part of Leix formerly called Lease
Carraghain.15 At present, it is in the barony of CuUinagh, about seven
Survey Townland Maps for the Queen's 280 to 295, " Letters containiiiL; Infor-
County," Sheets 17, 23, 24, 29, 30, and mation relative to the Antiquities of the
on those for the County of Kilkenny, Queen's County collected during the
Sheets i, 5. Progress of the Ordnance Survey in
° There it covers 11,245a. ^r. 2^p. 1S3S," vol. ii., p. 2S7.
^ It contains 1,475 «• O''- 26/j. of the n See CoI,L;an's " Acta Sanctorum
parish. Hibcrni;e," h'ebruarii xvii., Vita S.
"^ In it are only 144^7. ir. 2gp. of the Fintani de Cluain Eidneach.
parish. i- And in that parish, yet not very
s In it are 6Soa. zr. 30/?. of Abbeyleix remote from Abbeyleix.
parish. 1^ They are marked on the " Ordnance
^ The township of Corballyogue is Survey Townland Maps for the Queen's
five miles distant from other parts County," Sheets 29, 30.
of the parish ; separated from it by i* Sir James Ware adds : "in ea
Ballinakill ; and surrounded on other parte comitatus Regina', ("]uai Leasia
sides by Clonenagh parish. vulgo appellatur." — " De Hibernia et
1" See Mr. Thomas O'Conor's letter Antit]uitatibus ejus," cap. xxvi., p. 162.
dated Carlow, December 26th, 1S3S, in '^ According to Thady Dowling's
his account of Aliboyleix Parish, pp. " Short Annals of Ireland." at a. d. iios.
J'AKCCIIIAI. 1)1VI^I()S> — PAKISII n\- AlUiU VLl-JX.
151
th.- AM'
hiivf -in
Ml' ll « ■-'
NV..> . .tl!
f'UlI.-'rr
.>U>vit
milrs south-f.i'^t \u)\n Marvboioii-li. In iiS;.'^' a Cistercian abbey was
toun.lcd \irvr. l.y Cix lir,m-nus U'Mnorc,': 111 lioiiour of the Blessed Virgin
Marv.''' Scnf writri>— suoli as 'I'liadd.Liis Dnwiing '9 —place the loun-
(latinn at an « :.! h' i j" i km!,-" and ()tliei> two years ^ubseqnent, viz., at
A.r>. ii>^5-^' 'llir I'-andrr lillfd tins iiou>e with Cistercian monks from
V t>( l'.,dtnicla-^." A llonrishiiii; irligions institnte appears to
'. -drd. and the old town ot Abhevleix— as nsnal in the case of
ri.livli;!vnts -datt> Its orimn troin this monastic honse. It
d a!-., till- AhN\- i/(- /.f^'t' /-".i'.-'.^ It has been stated, that the
•.-..IS himself un-irod tluMV : -4 hnt little seems to be known
...->. v.v ...Ml, -kt p!cs«-nt. .Xn .■cclesiasiical Taxation of Ireland had been
ilur-t'dbv r.ijK- Nieholas IV., in March, 1291, which was designed to
Irvv .1 uv.'.'l i'T t!ie m.iintenance of a war against the Saracens to prevent
tlMin II. .;n (.l)t.iinmg possession of the Holy Land; the amount thus
i,,ll.-. !<d w.ts, hwwcver, detained by the King's Justiciaries in Ireland,
;ind IN'JH- Boniface VIII. wrote to com]ilain of that violence, but he
ivioivrd no redress. At that time the Church in Ireland was greatly
imiw.v.Tished. Vet it apjK-ars, that a fresh assessment of the Tenths
Nv.is imiH^sed on the Irish clergy for three years, in 1302. -s Among other
li\inus, the Church of the New Village of Leys was valued at Twelve
Marks. an<l returning as a tenth only i6d. ; while the portion of the
vicar, valued at Five INIarks, was returnable at one-Half Mark. 26 The
I>our" Masters have it, that Mainister Laoighise in Leinster and in
the Difx-ese of Leighlin was founded in 1447 in honour of St. Francis
1)V O'Moie, who selected a burial place for himself and his posterity m
it' -7 This seems to conflict with the statement, that it had been originally
founded in 1183, and in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary; unless,
indeed, we are to assume, that the ancient Cistercian Abbey had been
deserted, and that a new Franciscan Convent had been established to
"■ Sir lacolii Clrace, Ivilkeunieusis,
"'.\imalcs"llibcnuLL'," pp. lO, 17.
i' He is called Cnoghor O-Moor, m
Harris' " Ware," vol. ii. " .Antiquities ot
Ireland," caiL xxxviii., p. 274.
1^ Aceordin- to Christopher Pem-
l)ridi;e's " Annals of Ireland," publishetl
l)v \Vdliani Camden, in his " Britannia,"
lolio edition, publishe.l at London,
A.D. 1O07.
19 He was Chancellor of Leighlin, and
lie dieil there A.D. 162S, in the eighty-
lonrth year of his age. He wrote
" Annalcs Breves Hibernia;," anti in
this Tract, under a.d. 1105, we have the
following entry : — " Circa hoc tempus
Cowkaggrig de O-Moardha principalis
de Clanmelaghlen in Basca fundavit et
dedicavit nionasterinm de Lege Dei in
Lease Carraghain in Lagenia." — See p. 7,
Edition of iS^o, bv \'erv Rev. I^ichard
Butler, 15. .v., M.K.L.A., Dean of Clon-
mac loise.
20 See Sir James Ware's Tract
" CainobiaCisterciensiaHibernia\" p. 74-
21 See Dr. Haniner's " Chronicle of
Ireland," p. ,30.
22 See Sir James Ware, " De Hibernia
et Anticpiitatibus ejus," cap. xxvi.,
p. 162.
23 See Sir James Ware's " Cccnobia
Cisterciensia Hiberni:i;," 11. 74.
21 See Archdall, who cites War. Mon.
for his authority, in " Monasticon
Hibernicnm," p. 580, n. (d.)
2'' See tliat account of the origin of
this Taxation in the Introduction to
the Rev. William Reeves' " Ecclesias-
tical Antiquities of Down, Connor, and
Dromore, consisting of a Taxation of
those Dioceses, compiled in the year
ZMCCcvi. ; with Notes and Illustrations,
pp. X. to xxiv. Dublin, 1847, 4to.
-■^ See " Calendar of Documents
relating to Ireland preserved in Her
Majesty's Public Record Office, London.
1302-1307, edited by the late H. S.
Swcetman, B..-V., Trin. Col., Dublin.,
M.R.I. A., Barrister-at-Law, and con-
tinued by Gustavus Frederick Handcock.
of the Public Record Office," p. 248,
London, 1883, lioy. 8vo.
27 See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of
the Four Masters," vol. iv., pp. 954.
955, and n. (d.) ibul.
2-' As we find no record of a Fran-
l^Z HISTORY OF THE QUEEN S COUNTY.
replace it.-S During the reign of King Henry VII. died Jolm O' Moore,
who is said to have been interred in or near this Abbey. His tomb was
su]iposed to have been seen in the village of Old Abbeyk-ix, during the
eighteenth century.-'> However, this is incorrect, as the tomb in question
has since been removed to the garden at Abbeyleix Housi', and the
inscription on it has been more accurately deciphered. ^'^ Beside it lies
at present another altar-tomb, and probably erected to a chief of I\Iagh
Druchtain, named Willalmus 0'Kelly,3i about whom nothing further
seems to be known. Along the centre on the upper slab there runs the
shaft of a cross, having on the base inscribed the name of the carver.?'
At the upper portion, and at the joining of the cross-arm to the shaft,
two more transverse arms form a double cross there, so tliat seven plain
finials appear at the heading.
In the year 1551,33 the Abbot here was found seized of a church
and other buildings ; also of four hundred acres, English measure, of
arable and pasture land ; two parcels of wood called the Two Parks,
containing twelve acres ; three hundred acres of moor and marsh in the
townland of Abbeyleix ; one hundred acres of arable land and nine ot
wood, called Dromaclowe ; six acres of moor and marsh in Clonekene ; 34
one hundred acres of arable and pasture in Ralyshe ; one hundred acres
of arable and pasture in Ravele or Rathevoyle ; 35 ten acres of arable
and pasture and ten of wood in Lysnebegnet, or Lesvigne ; 36 one hun-
dred and ten acres of arable and pasture, and two of underwood, called
the half of Clownecore ; eleven acres of underwood called Clone John ;
two acres of underwood called Dyrrelaen ; one acre and a-half of under-
wood called Clonghill ; and forty acres of moor and marsh in Cloghok ;
the whole of tlie annual value, besides reprises, of /J21 4s. gd. ; tlie
rectories of Abbcyleysc, and Leawhill appropriated to the said abl^ot
ciscan Coii\-'jiit in , Abbeyleix, perliaps Melai^lilan, JNIac Owney O'Mocire, who
the m^inifctji L-AOijhif may have had this tomb made in 1502. On whose
reference to its location in Stradbally, soul may God have mercy. Amen."
where a Franciscan house had been He has thus correctly rendered JMalacias
founded by an O'More. into Melnnhlan, the proper anglicized
-^ In the street of Abbe\-leix, as we torm of the old chief's name, as his son
are told, there was a raised tomb, witli is called ConvU mc Mallaghlen in the
this inscription on the margin of the Inquisitions, Lagenia;, i temp. Eiiz.
upper stone : — " Hie jacet Johannes ^i Y\y^, inscription running around the
O'More, an. dom. 150J, cujus aninuii edges of this tomb is broken oil at two
propitietur Deus. Amen." Sec Cough's of the corners, S(j that at present it reads :
" Camden's Britannia," vol. iii., (,}ueen's "Hie iaeet Wllalmus O'Kella q 111c
County, p. 533. fieri fecit (lost) INl °cccccxxxi Orate jiro "
30 On the tomb, there is a full-length (lost). It is thus rendered into the
recumbent figure of a chief in armour, following English translation by Fatlu'r
and on either side at the edge runs the Carrigan : " Here lyeth William O'Kelly
following inscription carefully examined who got me made in the year 1530.
and copied by the Rev. William Pray for him."
Carrigan, C.C, Durrow, verhatnn and ^- The inscription is " Willalm'
with contractions lengthened, //;'crrt/im .• O Tunny me labricauit." Translated
" Hie iacit JMalacias Omouer lilius " W^illiam O'Tunny made me."
Eugenthii qui tumbam fieri, fecit anno ^3 Qu the Wednesday next before the
domni M'^oooooiicuis aie propricieter des. feast of St. Thomas the Apostle, and in
Amen." Some few of the letters are the sth of King Edward VI., this
obliterated at the corners, but are easily Inquisition sped,
restored from the context, as shown in ^^ Now Clonkeen townland.
an accurate trace of the upper slab. 3.-, JnTqw Rathmoyle.
The following is Father Carrigan's ^u >;ow Lisbigny townland.
translation into English : " Here lyeth ^7 The foregoing enumeration was
liishop ()' Dul.iiu 's Tonih, Jerpaint AliheN'.
Sec p;!"'-' I 32
>J / c^^v'
.^s
,MeLii;!il;iii ()" Moot f's I'oiub, ni AI)lie\!ei\.
\ -1. I,
. 4"* Jp
7 ^;"^i:^w
liisliop ()' Dulain 's Tonili, Jerpoint Ahhev.
i'-J '""^ ^ ^
K"^^
i'^-SL
,A\el;i'4lil.'m O'Mooic's r()nil>, .11 AI;!K'\Ioi\.
\«\. 1.
PAROCHIAL DIVISIOXS — PARISH OF ABl'.F.YLEIX; 153
and his predecessors, were found of the annual vakie, besides reprises,
of £10. And the Abbot, on the Monday next before the feast of St.
Catherine, in the same j'ear, was seized also of twelve acres of araliK'
lantl, called Ivnockbracke or Kiltybreny, in the parish of Tuadewy, of the
annual value, besides reprises, of 6s. ; and ten acres of arable and pasture
in Rahinconoghoe Duff, called Gullardleghe, lying on the river Guile,
of the annual value, besides reprises, of 5s. 37
This abbey, with twenty acres of arable land in the towns of Leix,
Clonekine, Ralyse, Ramoyle, and Cloghoge, in the Queen's County, was
granted, A.D. 1562,38 to I'homas, Earl of Orniond, at the yearly rent of
£'6 iGs. 8d., for thirty-seven years, to commence from the date, and
afterwards at the rate of £10 5s. The lands belonging to this abbey
were then estimated at 820 acres, as stated in a document contained in
the Chief Remembrancer's Office. 39 This grant was subsequently
assigned to Sir John Vesey,4o ancestor of the present family, deriving
the title Lord De Vesci. The Rectory of Clonekine and Domus Legis
Dei were impro})riate in the Earl of Ormond. The serving vicar of both
was Thomas Smith, Minister and preacher, in 1616.41 The value of
this benefice was £15 with a residence. The church was in repair, havir-g
books and other things requisite.
On the large map of Clonkeene or Cloneheene, prepared by Sir William
Petty, among its townland denominations we find — Abbcyleix, Clohoge,
Boyley,42 Clonekeen43 Grealagh bog, Ballimullen,'*^ Ralish. Rathmoyle,t5
Bailitarsney,'^'^ Toniduff,47 Balligegill. Abbeyleix was a vicarage in
1657, the rectory being then impropriate.'* A trace or rum of the
Cistercian Abbey could not be found towards the close of the eighteenth
century .49 However, tradition has left some reminiscences of its site ;
for the inhabitants of the modern town of Abbeyleix have a belief, that
hord De Vesci'sfine modern mansion, within an extensive and well-wooded
demesne, occupies the exact position of the ancient Abbev. In the
garden attached, it is said, some of its former walls and memorial ruins
are still preserved. In the grave-yard attached to the site, and even
beyond its present precincts, numerous human remains have l)een
unearthed. There was a tradition among the old inhabitants, that
portions of the former Abbev were retainerl in the wall that encloses a
burial ground, in which stands a deserted Prott^stant church now closed,
and contiguous to ihi' iiian>ion (j! Lord De Vesci.
The mansion ot .XMiiAieix House, the seat of Viscount De Vesci,
was built in 1774. It is (piadrangular m shape, four storrys high, ancl
faced with cut stone. The noble demesne around it comprises over
700 acres, covered with forest trees of indigenous growth, with a variety
taken by Arcliddll, from the .VviiHtor- *^ Now Clcjiil;rcii.
General's Records. See " Mona>ticon " .\o\v l^.iUvinullen.
Hibernicum," p. 57, n. (f.) *'' Sow Katliinoyk-.
^8 On the last day of February, 5th *'• Now Ballytarsiia.
of Qneen Elizabetli, tliis tyrant was made, *" Xow Tuiuiult.
according to the record, in the Chief <» See Sir Charles Coote's " General
Remembrancer's OHiii-. V^iew of the Ai^rirnlture and Manufac-
30 See Archdall's " M. .n i-,tican Hibei - tiirrs of the 'hicen's County," chap. i.
nicum," p. 587 and n. (l;.) sect. ^, p. iv
*o See Harris' " Ware," vol. ii. " .\nti- *" See Arclidall's " Monasticon Hiber-
quities of Ireland," cap. xwiii., p. 27.}. nicum," p. 5,SX.
*i See " Liber Ret^ali-' Visitatiotijs." '■''■' It w.is near the River Nore, but
*- Now Boley. for many past years it has been closed.
154 IIISTOKV OF THK OUEliN S COUNTY.
*
ot exotics, where splendid avenues and open sjuires do not intervene.
Some trees are of enormous proiK>rtK)ns, and otliers are disposed in
ornamental groups. The modern town called at lu'st New Abbeyleix.
lo distinguish it from the former collection of thatched houses, was laid
out by Lord De Vesci, after the middle of the eighteenth century. Since
that time, old Abbeyleix — a little distance from it and towards the
south-west — was levelled, and it has fallen into decay. Near it were
flourishing flour-mills, and a woollen factory in the beginning of the last
century, belonging to a Mr. Leach. 5o The hne mansion of Knaptcn'ii
is also to be seen in the vicinity, with several other handsome residences.
The houses of Abbeyleix present a neat ap})earance on the Main street,
which is wide ; and excellent water, from an ornamental and memorial
fountain, erected to the founder Lord De Vesci, and m the semi-circu-
lar market-] )lace, is abundantly j^rovided. Garden ])\n{s are attached
to each of those dwellings. It is a i^ost and inai i;et-town,5^ having
fairs throughout the year, 53 while it i^ a station on the Maryborougli
and Waterford line o| Ivailway, and sixty statute miles from the terminus
at Dublin. 54 The Protestant established churcli w.is built oi'iginally by
a loan from the Board of First Fruits ; but since that time, it has been
enlarged and renovated in a beautiful Gothic style, and it is near Lord De
Vesci's demesne, with ornamental grounds surrounding it, and conv^enient
to the town. Abbeyleix was declared the head of a Poor-Law Union,
December 3rd, 1S39, having as electoral divisions Abbevleix, Ballinakill
Timahoe, Balh'roan. Raheen, Castletown, Aghaboe, Killermogh, Coolkerry,
Aughmacart and Durrow.55 The Workhouse was contracted for on
June i6th, 1840, to be completed for ;^5,850 and £1.050 for fittings and
contingencies. 5^' Several dispensary districts are under medical residence
and supervision. A ])olice barrack, bridewell, se-.siMn house, hotel and
market house, as also the Preston endowed School, and National Schools,
with brandies of Dublin l)anks, are notable featuies. The fjrigidine
nuns were here introduced, after their convent had been built beside the
former cha])el and on an elevated site, in 1843. Besides a boarding school
for young ladies, they conduct the Female and Infant National Schools in
the town. 57 The old chapel showing signs of decay was remo\'ed, and
the present beautiful structure of Irish-Romanesque design was erected
on its site by the Very Rev. James Lalor, P.P.5S The first stone was laid
in the year 1893,59 and the church was spi'edily completed exteriorly
51 Tliero the celebrated Sir Jonah passing daily to and from Mary-
Barringtou was liorn, about the middle borougli.
of the iSth century. See " Personal ^^ The ex-officio guardians amount to
Sketches and Recollections of his own eight, and the elected guardians to
Times," vol. i., cap. i. twenty-four.
^- On Saturday, weekly. so j^- occupies an area of <^a. 3*-. up.,
^3 On the 26th of January, the 17th and it was projected to accommodate 500
of March, the 5th of May, the 20th of paupers.
June, the 20th of September, and the ^^ Their new National Schools cost
4th of November. See "The National over ;/[i, 300, and these are of great benefit
Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland," to the town,
vol. i., p. 3. ^^ This church rellects great credit on
•''* Formerly the Dublin and Cork his taste an<l indefatigable exertions.
iSlail Coach passed through Abbeyleix liberally secon<led by the generous con-
to the middle of the last century, before triliutions of liis parishioners.
the opening of the Railway ; while s" It is dedicated to Our Lady of the
there was a caravati in transit to Holy Rosary.
Mountrath and Dublin, with a car "" The site for the church, with a large
PAROCHIAL DIVISION'S — PARISH (JK AliUKYLKlX. I55
and interiorly in a manner that has commanded universal a])prol)ation.''"
The architect was the late Mr. Haige, and the cost of erection and decora-
tion amounted to about£6,ooOjinchuling the New Tower to^accommodate
a grand-toned Bell lately procured. In the Protestant arrangement
tliis ])arish was a vicarage and a separate benefice in the Diocese of
Leighlin, the Patron being Lord De Vesci, the rectorial tithes impro-
priate belonging to him.'" The \'icarial tithe comix)sition was £169 4s. yhd.
with a glebe valued at £5 15s. 5d. ; the gross income being £175 os. o!d.
nett £138 IIS. L)\d. At present the incumbent has a sti[)end of £47(^
annually. For a more detailed account of the Catholic parish of Abbey-
leix and its dependency Ballyroan, the reader is referred to the work
of Rt. Rev. Bishop Comerford.^^-
Not far distant from the present town of Ballinakill, but within the
parish of Abbeyleix, Leamchuill — now known as howhill or Loughill —
was situated on the borders of Hyduach and Leix ; however, the old
church there lies within that portion of Abbeyleix parish, in Fassadinin
haronv and in the County of Kilkenny. It seems probable, that Leam-
choill. wliich means " Elm Wood," was formerly within the old territory
ol keix, at least through an ecclesiastical arrangement. In the fifth
year of King Edward VT's reign, the rectory of Leawhill was found
to be a dependency of the monastery at AblK'ylewx.f^3 The ruins are
now to be traced beside a stream, which runs through the demesne
around Loughill House. In ancient times, the church there seems
to liave been of considerable im]:)ortance. A St. Fintan, surnamed
Coracli, is said to have been Abbot over it, towards the close of the sixth
eenlury. Corach, in the Irish idiom, siL^niiies under different respects,
' the changeable," " tlie giver of a promise," or " the melodious."
His name is connected, not alone with tlur. jihice, but with Clonenagh
and Clon-aitehm. or (,'loiike-eii. both in Leix. He is likewise called Bishoj)
ol Clonleri Iheiidaii, in the County of (ialway. Little is really known
.:oncerniiiL^ lii-> lile. --o that it -ceins dilticult to reconcile his connection,
m |)oini ol tune, with the several places already mentioned. t'4 His festivid
occurs on the ji>i oi Fel)ru,iry,^5 but there is no certainty regarding the
\ear ot li:^ de.ith and the pi. ire of his interment. From the Irish
Calend.ii- we tmd, likewise, a St. Mochonna, Ihshop, who was venerated
.It I '■.unelmill on the I 'jth of Januarw Some doubt seems to exist
reL;.i!>lih'.^ iii> 'iH'ng i.hntical with a St. Conon, Bishop in the Isle
ot .Man. .md wlio wa^ .also re\-erenced on this same day.f^*^ We
find a >;. ('mile. mil. Bishop of Leamchuill, venerated at the 22nd of
.\pnl. .\ fein.ile saint called Duthracht, of Leamchuill, had a festival
j.i'-^c of l.uid ailjoiniiii,' for a crnu-tery, Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiberniaj "
wa.s mvii \>v tilt- l.iti- l.Mr'l ])'■ W-bci on xxi. Fchruarit. Vita S. Fmtani Aljbatis
.1 If.isc- for ever, and at .1 merely noinin.il et Hpiscopi Cluainfcrtensis, p. 385
rent. ' "^^ Accordint,' to the Fcilire of St.
<" The rectorial tithes were com- .ICn^ms, the .Martyxologies of Tallaght,
l)Ounde(l for /v^>^ 9s. -Ui. of C:i^,liel, of .Mananus Gorman, and of
"2 See "The Irish Church I )ireccory and Donci^al.
Year- Bouk for 1903," p. 124. Dubhn, 1903. «" See his acts in Colt^an's "Acta
.Svi). Also " Collections relating to the Sanctorum liibernizt;," xiii. Januarii,
Dioceses of ivildare and Leii^hlin," Vita S. Connani Episcopi Mannia^, pp
vol. iii., pp. 55 to 65. 59. 6o.
"^ See Archdall's " Monasticon Hiber- "• See Dr. Todd's and Dr. Reeves'
nicum," p. 587. " Martyrcjlo^^y of Donegal" at the
'■< Sf(> some notices regarding him in res|)cctive days mentioned.
156 HISTORY OF THE QUEEN's COUiNTY.
likewise at the 25th of October. Attain, a St. Fionntain, of Leamchoill,
is venerated at the i6th of November ; while the feast of St. Aedh,
belonging to this same place, is set down at tlie 19th of December. 67 Three
of those saints are placed by Duald j\IacFirbis in the following order,
viz. : Fintan Corach, Cuillenn, and Mochonna.'^^ It seems no easy
matter to determine the exact periods when the foregoing saints
llourished, in connexion with this place, or in what order of time
they lived.
In this parish there was an old castle, which in the beginning of the
eighteenth century had undergone repairs, had been enlarged, and con-
verted into a dwelling, now called Watercastle Housl-. x\. townland takes
name from it.69 Near Abbeyleix there is a remarkable fort site, with
circumvallation around its summit, and it gives name to the townland of
Rathmoyle,
CHAPTER VI.— Parish of Achaeoe.
This parish in ancient times was written Achadh-bo, or Ached-bou ;
and, at later periods, in former records referring to it, we find Aghboo,
Aghboye, Athebo ; in more modern times, it was usually noticed as
Aghevoe or Aghaboe. By Adamnan, it has been Latinized " Campulum
Bovis."' From the name of its patron saint, it was frequently called
Achadh-bo-Cainnech, in early Irish records. The soil of this parish is
mostly good, but in it is a large tract of bog and moory land. This place
was anciently called Achadhblio, or the Ox's Field ; probably because of
the rich pasturage, which abounderl, ond wliirh at the present time is s^^
greatly prized for its cattle-feeding qualities. A very interesting descrip-
tion of this place has been furnished, ^ by the Rev. Edward Ledwich,
LL.D., who for a considerable period was incumbent of Aghaboe. "^
This treatise was so greatly esteemed, that reprints of it, with Sir John
Sinclair's Account of Thurso, 4 were circulated among the clergy of
Ireland, as models for their contributions to an Irish Parochial Survey.
Aghaboe was formerly situated in the Barony of Upper Ossory ; but,
at present, it lies within the newly formed baronies of Clandonagh 5 and
Clarmallagh <^ — heretofore known as Cantrcds — ami about four miles
south 7 from the town of ]\Iountrath.^
"8 See " Proceedings of the Royal " Parish of Aghaboe, Queen's County
Irish Academy," Irish MS. Series, vol. i., and Diocese of 0:5Sory," by the Rev.
part i., p. 117. Edwartl Ledwich, LL.D., member ot
^3 See " Letters containing Informa- niany learned societies, author of the
tion relative to the Antiquities of the " Antiquities of Ireland," and editor of
Queen's County collected during the Grose, on the same subject. This con-
I'rogress of the Ordnance Survey in tribution is under twelve different head-
1838," Mr. Thomas O'Conor's letter ings, together with an Appendix, a Map,
dated Carlow, December, 26th, 183S, a view of the Dominican Abbey, as also
vol. ii., p. 295. of otlier antit|uilies, see pp. 13 to 7S.
1 See Rev. Dr. Reeves' Adamnan's 3 jjjg work on Irish Antiquities is
" Life of St. Columba," Lib. ii., cap. 13, regarded, at present, as one justlv open
p. 121. to unfavourable criticism, in many of
2 For William Shaw Mason's " Statis- its statements.
tical Account or Parochial Survey of * See the old "Statistical Survey of
Ireland," drawn from the communica- Scotland," vol. xx., p. 493, and p. xii.
tions of the clergy. This work was first ^ Tliis portion of the parish contains
published in 1814, 8vo, when vol. i. 6,5iOrt. ir. 21/^.
a])peared. In this was issued, as No. ii., "^ This nortion comprises 12,192a. ir.
¥::■'
fv\
\ % :
f --
/ J'V,
l/'^
■h''
•li ^l'^'.'^
f^'.,.'
■4
Ik
1^
"'lii/'''
I'ARISH t)K AGIlAlXi]',.
157
In the pre-Christian times, we IiikI no record of Aghaboe, and therefore
we nnist treat of it only from tlie earhest period of its ecclesiastical
origin. It is recorded, that St. Kanin/cli, also called St. Canice, Cain-
neach, or Kenny, was born, in Keenaght tririiory,'^ jn the northern
l)arts of Ireland, about the war 515,"^ Sib,'' or 517'-' — wilile some
accounts have the date at 527, '^ on the authority of Archliishop Ussher. 1*
Glengiven is said to have been St. Kenny's native jilace.'i He was the
son of Laidic or Laitech Lecerd,'^ an eminent poet — others say his
father's name was Lugayd^T — and his moth.er's name was Mell.is Mella,
or Melda. When very young, St. Kannech pa-sed over to Britain, where
the Life 19 states, he was instructetl \>\- .1 hol\' man, known as Doc or
Cadoc,-o who had established a monastery, at Llincar\-an, on the Severn,
and in Wales. After some time s])ent there, he returned to Ireland.
After their conversion to Christianity, the princes or . chieftains 0+
Ossory-i were conspicuous for tlieir religious zeal and munificence
towards the clergy. Descended from Heremon,-- the son of IMilesius
their genealogy descends to I\lac-Giolla-Phadraig,-3 " the son-servant oi
Patrick," who was so-called to manifest devotion for the great Apostle
of Ireland. In course of time, the Irish famih name Mac-Giolla-Phadraig
was changed — owing to their intercourse with tlie Anglo-Normans — into
Fitz-Patrick ; the Gallic-Xorman Fitz coires])onding with the Irish
Mac, " son," and the word Giolla, " ser\ant," being stippressed. This
family is credited with the erection of Aghaboe t(j be their head church,
and its episcopate therefore is found called, e\-en m the Provmciale
Romanum — a catalogue of uncertam date— l)y the territorial title of
3p. The parish of Aghaboe is dubcrilH-d
on the " Ordnance Survey Towiihuui
Maps for the Queen's County," Sheds
21, 22, 23, 28, '29, 34.
"^ ]M(5st incorrectly and unaccountal'ly,
ArchdaU has staled, it lay north of
Mountrath.
^ The account of Aghaboe P.in^h by
Patrick O'Keelie, in a letti.r dated
Mountrath, November 20lh, idjS, is to
be found in " Letters containing Infor-
nuitioii relative to the Antiquities of the
(.Queen's County, collected during tin'
I'rogress of tlie Ordnance Survey in
1838," vol. i., pp. 1 to 27- Hxceptin;;
some extracts given in it from printed
works, the local information is exceed-
ingly meagre.
'•' Now the Barony of Keenaght, in
the County of Londonderry.
1° See Archdall's " Monasticon Hiber-
nicum," p. 588.
11 See William M. Hennessy'b
" Chronicum Scotorum," pp. 38, 39.
1- O'Flaherty has it at this year.
^3 Sec Rev. Alban Butler's "Lives of
the Fathers, Martyrs, and other prin-
cipal Saints," vol. x., Oct. xi.
1* See " Britannicarum Ecclesiarum
Antiquitates," cap. xvii., p. 495.
15 See Alfred Webb's " Compendium
of Irish Biography," p. yo.
*•* lie is said to have been of the
Mocudalan Sept. See O'Flaherty's
" Ogygia," I'.Ui. iii., cap xlvi., p. 275.
!■ According to the Manuscript Life
in wluit has been called the Codex
Kilurnniensis, in ^Marsh's Library,
I.Hiblni.
"> bli(_- is saiil to have been a descend-
ant ol Mac Gu.iis or Mac Nais.
'" In 1853, the Marcpns of Ormond
published ;i " \'ita Sancti Kanechi," in
a small 410 form, but only for private
circulation.
'-'^ See Ke\'. M. J. Brcnan's " Eccle-
siastical History of Ireland," chap iii.,
p. 00.
-1 By John Hogan their line is
derived from Breasal Breac, a.m. 3871,
and it lias been traced in his Genea-
loL'ical Table of the Kings of Ossory tu
the Fnglish Invasion. Sec " Kilkenny :
the .\ncienl City of Ossory, the Seat of
its Kings, the See of its Bishops,
the Site of its Cathedral," part ii., p.
17J.
-- Sec Bishop De Burgo's " Hibernia
Doininicaua," cap. i.x., sect, xxx.,
subs, iii., n. (p.), p. 29S.
-2 Called also Gillaphadraig I., who
flourished A. v. 995, and from whom the
Mac Gillaphadraig clan derived its title.
See Jolui Ilogan's " Ivilkenny," Occ,
part ii., p. 172.
-' See Rev. Fdward T.edwich, on the
in«
llIbTUkV OF Till': Qf;EEX S COUNTY.
O^sinensis. This, however, is a mistake lor C)ssoriciisis.-4 Accordine^
to some accouiits, the see of this district was first at Saii;;r-5 or Sier-
Kieran, in tlie Kint^'s County, and thence it was moved to Aghaboe, in
tlie elevcntli century.-^
About tbic year 5-:o,-7 the celebrated St. Finian had Iniilt his monas-
tery at Clonard, in ^Meath ; and soon a gr(\it numlx'r of students were
attracted to his school. Among the rest, St. Kannech became his disciple.
There he was a schoolfellow, with most ot the great saints, wlio were
his contemporaries. He is said to have written — besides the Life of St.
Columbkille and a collection of Hymns — a copy of the Four Gospels,
with a valuable Commentary. -8 His great \vl^doIn, sanctity, and zeal,
soon enabled him to become a teacher of others. This saint afterwards
gave name to the City of Kilkenny. The AbbiN' of Aghaboe, however,
specially owes its loundation to him, between the dates of 558 and 577.-''
He was the first abl)ot,3'J and while tiiere, he ruled ovi'r a numtu'ous
conmiunity of monks, giving great ed.ihcation, both by ids instructions
and. example. Owing to his vvel^known intimacy with the great St.
Columba,3i whose moral and religious influence reached far and wide,
while Scanlan, King of Ossory, was m an esjiecial manner indebted to
him, we may well suppose, that the domestic rules and polity of St.
Canice's monastery were modelled on those of the illustrious arcliiman-
drite who ruled m lona.s^ St. Canice or Kenny — as, he is popularh
raUed — continued to preside here until 597,33 5(18,34 or 5()9, 35 when lie
died, in tlie seventj'-second year of his age, according to Archljishop
LIssher's computation ; 36 but, in his eighty-fourth year,37 according to
a writer of his Acts, and several of our Irish Annalists. 3^ The Clarendon
Manuscript Vita S. Cannechi states, that lie de[)arted this life, a.d. 600.
This is also the date assigned for his decease, a.t Aghaboe, by Sir fames
\Vare.3'i
In the immediate neighbourhood of Agliaboe Protestant Church,
tradition yet points out in the helds the })osition and direction of former
" Parish of Agliaboe," in William
Shaw Mason's " Statistical iVccouut or
Parochial Survey of Ireland," vol. i..
No. ii., sect, iv., pp. 32, ^t,.
-^ See Rishop Dc Burro's " Hibernia
Dciiniiucana," cap. i., sect, xii., p. i8,
n. (k).
-" Sec the Rev. M. J. Brenan's
" Ecclesiastical History of Ireland,"
chap, ii., p. S3. Second edition, Dublin,
1SO4.
-'' See L'Abbe Ma-Geoghcgan's
" Histoire de I'lrlande Ancienne at
Moderne," Tome i., Seconde Partie,
chap, ii., p. 283.
2** This was called Glass-Cainech, or
the Chain of Canice. See Rev. M. J .
Brenan's " Ecclesiastical History of
Ireland," chnp. iii., p. 90.
-'•' See " ']"he History, Architecture,
and Antiquities of the Cathedral Church
of St. Canice, Kilkenny," by the Kev.
James Graves, A.B., and John G.
Augustus Prim, sect, i., chap, i., p. 16,
ancl n. (c.) ibid.
'■^" See Bishop De Burgo's " Hibernia
Domiuicana," cap. ix., sect, xxx.,
subs, i, and n. (a), pp. 296, 297.
^' His iesti\-al occurs on 9th June.
22 See " The History, Architecture,
and Anticputies of the Cathedral Church
ot St. CauKc, Kilkenny," by the Kev,
James Graves, A.B., and John G.
Augustus Prim, sect, i., chap, i., j). 17.
^^ The Annals of Clonniaenuise have
this date.
■" See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of
the Eour ^Masters," vol. i., pp. 224, 22s.
'■^■' The " Annales Ultonienses," Pars,
•i., have entered this year. See Rev.
Dr. O'Conor's " Kerum Hibernicaruni
Scriptores," Tomus i\'., p. 34.
'■"' See " Britannicaruni Ecclesiarum
Antitpiilates," ca]i. xvii., p. 495.
^^ See .\lhed Webb's " Compendium
of Trisii Biography," p. 70.
■'"^ According to the Annals of Clon-
inaciuii^f.
^" lie writes: " Obiit il)ideni 5 Idus
Octobris anno Ooo " — " De Hibernia et
Antiquitatibus ejus Disquisitiones," cap.
Nwi., p. '{C)2.
-^
;^'
'^'°^>..
^'•■--•-',14.
s^AiLj=aJK
ll-n
A(iHABOH.
ilw icli\ Anli.niilie
iS.q.
•I'M'' ^
;i»i">'-'»*^
I ••T'lT:^'^":^ "■'':^^^^- "■"■^
'■ion: /'/',',',' ^M'j
llii: CROSS, A(iHA15()r:.
[-1/. ()"/'.„ v',.
I.uv |u-c 159.
l'\ia>H (11 AMlAlioK. jcq
ro.nN, tli.it li<i t(i lii> I'M iiiDii.i-i. 1 \ . hi Miiiu- r.ivo, tliL' in!ial)itatits liavc
fiiuiKl tiai-fs of aiKi'-nt stciic louiKiatKnis. (1i^])iim>1 m groups. These
arc >'a.ja",-,(l to in i;. tr Mtc- Im li..u-.\-,, l)cl(.n;-;in- to the rltaced City
ol .\','lial">.-. '1 hr \«,;!t'T ua'^ a-suied of sikIi >lalciiKiil> as liein^L,^ facts'
for In-- att.ata-n hi! \-<<:'. 'l.;.-'t<-'l to sMrious spots in conlninat ion, 1)\'
a i.-;,< ^ '.il'l.- !<■-;.;■:.[. aiiil lo.\il | ii ojuittoi'. 'I hne, too, witl' ohjects
to h.- fou:i!, ^.I'i to !;.ivi- !'>. :i a--oi lattil with the ninnorx' of St. Canice,
.iii'l .1 ;,-.p'.iI.ir \. :i'-.'.iio:i w.i- jmkI to hiiii. In part ol a nch pasture
•uM. ^'-;..(• Ai.;>'\ liawthoir* h:aiahr> wan- {o hr .seen, and hcneath thian
V.nif V.-.-- a '>:n '.11 ] -Ic. ii'--.-:iiMin^' a stone cairn. .M\' informant -iiJ toki
i:i.- A !:.i !:T:o:i, t!i.i; tl..- coiini o! St. Cinici- liad hecn kiid tliere hefore Ins
iiit' :::,' !il. hv \hr j-^'.p!,- ..f A.Lihahof. When the writer visited that
^;>.■ *« <>:.'■ i>i th" ,i^''d li.iwthonis had falkai trii \ cais piexaously, and
It hiv 4' :«"•. tl.f <Mdii:.inly travcU. d roadway. Altlioui^li the trunk was
i;:ir4!3v tl--Ha'.« 'I. \rt it-^ I>ranclies were ])artially covered with green
!■--»%■(%; .t::'.! .I'flioui-li tli.-^ trre caused considcrahk' obstruction owing
!«» j:^ }■»••>«!!()!). the pn.jiri.-tor of thr farm (diliged liis drivers to take a
.!rt,n;f \0.rn }.is>ini,' by the sjiot, nor woukl tlie ])oorest person in the
ItRuhty d.jro to remove any of thr rotten bram Iks for firewood. This
<<Thnk: was tiLtu-ratrd by a long-cstabli<hcd reverence for tlie sanctity of
lioly Cannc. and thion_;h a fear of destcratinL; aiu' object liowever
mra.tolv connected with Iiini. Somewhat removed fi;om tliis spot, and
111 till.- Centre of the same field, a depression in lorm of a cross was shown.
and tlieie it IS ^:ui\. the -aiiit's coltm was laid a second time, wliilc the
s»t:/<:i>> oi Kilkerin'v" and AL;liaboe were about to t'li^.iL^e- in a deadl\-
n>!.liict fi>r i'0--'-->ion ol l-llessed ("aniec's remains. 1- fietore they came
to l'!(tw>. iiowever. the niH.iculou> ajiparition of a strange man moved
down o\r! thf ditch, whali fenced a former load, now comi)letcly obhter-
.ttcd. acroi.iin;: to pojiular tradition. He be>ouqht all jire.-^ent to go into
the adjoinini^ laid, wh-ie tia ir ditfeiences might be adjusted. On
colli). I\!i.g with Jii> !'.ju..>t, they ufie then told to return, wlien they
(ound t\v<.» la.'ijins remamii:^ on the cro>s, where St. Ckmice's remains
had U<[j dep.-itcd. I lay weie ttdd to remo\'e One colfm to Kih^emiy
.iiid the other t<» A.di.ii ov-. J he iiixsteiious stranger, supposed to liave
l-Ttl St. ("ana e. then diiapj'rared ; whereiijX)!! the contending factions
drj'.Kt'-v!, Kotli U-.mn..; a coltin respecti\el\' to lither destination. Hence,
thr }«•'«>; Ir ot tla^ pl.icc contend it is not i)os-ible to saw whether St.
( ar-.:< r h.id l>i . ii iiitcri.-d m Kilkenn\- or in Aghaboe, although they ho[)e
itv.js in t!:<- l.itttT j'l.icc as Ix-ing his earliest foundation. Such is tlie
V<A Ir^' r,.l, \\>;:!f jt j^ •>-. inteM/^ting and poinilar, we cannot omit ]dacing
1 1 on If cord.
As t!i«- jv.ii;'-h of A^'llal)Ol^ now and since its ecclesiastical origin, lay
apparrjjtly wrdmi the teuitory of Ossory, and h.is be^n united with
thi.s <htH'---t- since tlie ViMf 1 1.5-', it would seem to liuve been a distinctive
tuother church or ancient ejiiscojjal see, for a })eriod long after the
loundation of his mon.istery there by St. Cainnech. A learned local
hi^tornm and topograjdier -«» states, that the pre-Christian territory of
MAS
*» Mr. Jcrctiiiah nmiiu-. J.I'., wlio ilhi.-.trati(in of what tlic writer has
owntT of tliL- place on which liua liuind m so rn.iny instances through
ubjoct might be seen. out halaiul, liuw closely existing
♦' .Xu^^usl -n.J, iS'Kj. popular tra^lltlon^. coincide \vith the
«' This is also mentioned in the Latin written records of several hundretl past
I.ife of St. C;inice. and it is a turidiis years.
i6o
HISTORY OF THE QUEEN S COUNTY.
.Magh-Airget-Ros was an extensive plain, stretching from the stream of
the River Barrow, where it forms the northern boundary of the present
Queen's County ; and, it extended southwards to the Drumdeilgg or
Thornback ridge, three miles above the City of Kilkenny. It included,
according to hnii, the whole flat country of the present Queen's County,
comprising the modern baronies of Alaryborough East, Maryborough
West, Stradbally, Cullenagh, with the old barony of Upper Ossory, now
represented by its more recent divisions, called the baronies of Upper-
woods, Clarmallagh and Clandonagh ;44 it even embraced parts of
Galmoy, Fassidman, and Cranagh baronies, which border on the River
Nore, and lie within the present Coimty of Kilkenny.^^ This wule
extent of territory is said also to have been anciently called IMagh
Laoighis. Admitting the correctness of this statement, which, however,
is far from being well established, it may be seen that the parish of
Aghaboe, lying south and west of the River Nore, must in early times
have been included within the Leix territor5'.46
Historical information regarding the ancient see and monastery of
Aghaboe, of its bishops, abbots, saints, and learned men, will be found
in a magnificent modern work and of great local interest, compiled by
two accomplished and researchful antiquaries.47 We shall now proceed
to unfold the annalistic memories of this historic spot. In 6iS,4^ or
619,49 the Abbot Liber, or Liberius — probably the iipmediate successor
of St. Cauice ^'^ — departed this life. He is ranked, also, among the saints,
and his feast has been assigned to the 8th of March. The death of
]\Iyn Baireann, Abbot of Aghaboe, is recorded, at a.d. 690, in the Annals
*^ Allu.sion is here made to the late-
lamented John Hogau, Mayor of Kil-
kenny, distinguished for his researches
into the anticiuities of his native
Ossorian tenitory. Besides some
l)apers, issued in the Kilkenny Archajo-
logical Society's " Proceedings," and
in the " Transactions of the Ossory
Archreological Society," he published a
valuable work, " St. Ciaran, Patron of
Ossory : A Memoir of his Lite and
Times," Kilkenny, 1876, Svo, pp. i. to
xviii., and pp. 2 to 260. Not less so is
his posthumous work, " Kilkenny : the
Ancient City of Ossory, the Seat of its
Kings, the See of its Bishops, and the
Site of its Cathedral," Kilkenny, 18S4,
Svo, pp. i. to xiv., and pp. 5 to 462.
** According to John Hogan, the
Upper Valley of the Nore, or Airgid Ros,
did not form part of the kingdom of
Osraighe, for some period after its
original establishment. In the " Will
of Cathair More," purporting to be as
old as the second century of the
Christian era, Airgid Ros is claimed as
belonging to that king of Leinster.
Duach, king or chief of Ossory about
the middle of the sixth century, seems
to have wrested it from the dominion of
Cathair ■More's successors. From the
conqueror, it assumed the title Ui-Duach,
or Land of Duach, and it is now called
( )dogh. See "Kilkenny: the Ancient
City of Ossory," &c., part i., p. 81.
*5 See John Hogan's " St. Ciaran,
Patron of Ossory : A Memoir of his
Life and Times," part second, i hap. 1.,
l)p. 44. 45-
■"^ However, a little before or after
the time for the building of St. Canice's
Monastery at Aghaboe, Duuch seems to
have annexed much of the southern
LeLx territory to that of Ui-Duach.
The Rev. Nicholas Murphy has written
;in interesting ]>aper, " The O'Brenans
and the Ancient Territory of Hy-Duach,"
published in " Transactions of the
Ossory Arch;eological Society." vol. i.,
pp. 393 to 407-
*^ Allusion is made to " The History,
Architecture and Antiquities of the
Cathedral Church of St. Canice, Kil-
kenny," by the Rev. James Graves,
A.B., and John G. Augustus Prim, Esq.
S:-'e sect, i., chap, i., pp. 14 to 21, with
accompanying notes.
*^ See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of
the Four blasters," vol. i., pp. 240, 243.
*" The Annals of " Clonmacnoise "
have Liber's death at this year.
^° See Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum
I libernix'," Martii viii. De S. Libero sive
Liberio Abbate Achadhboensi, p. 56 >.
=1 See William M. Hennessy's edition,
pp. 110, III.
i'AKI-!l O! ACli Al ' >i:. l6l
(.f C!on:n.'i<'!'<<*i-e. In the " Cliroiiicuin Scdidruin.".^' it is set down as
(k)I. l->nt ;!■■> oidi:;..; {o nthcr ar>.'*i\ims, in (hi '..S' tlu' Abbot Moaiin
I'oii'iC dri'-iM' .1 ; '.'.hiU-, tlic Ann. lis of liNl.i^^ li.ivi- liis death, at
A I). '".4.-' A''ioul:r.L,' to tlie Ann. lis of \\\c lM>nr M.istcrs, 55 in 777,5^
,\.'-,\ tl'..- Abl<'( S'.'.i.!..il r.i Tai<lhc',5: Abbot of Ach.Klli-bo, after having
Ifv:; fi.:ty'iK;<'<" \'.i:> in the abbacy. It is noted, that ht- died (Mi
th<- 1 . 'iv.d < : St'. ("o::-.i:h:i!l. on the loth of M.iw The tine \ear for his
«','•; .1: t;:r. ] . m\<; js v.ii<l lo have been A.D. 7SJ. In 7v^4.5^ according,'
!•» the < ' t 1 :•• -. d;- <i l]:r Ab!">t Foii;hil — otlurwibe called X'irgil — i.t\, the
(.coMi'ti r. AbV-"t I'l .S^ha'Di-bu, and the famous Bishop of Saltsburg, as
\Mtr '. \ \ !>:. 0"I>o:-.ovaTi.' ' If tliis admission be correct, he was one of
ti.r v..'\\ « <lrl:a!c<.I X liol.'irs of his age. We are told, likewise, that he died
1:; (.rr;..4;iV. a:u\ u\ th<' tlr.rteenth year of his bishojuic, or episcopacy. ^^'^
'U.r A-'.'-.i!* of I Kter enter hi;> death under the year 78S ; but, it is stated
!'.4i U.<- iv.r dit«! IS .\.D. 78(). At A.i). S08, the Annals of the Four
3tlA»:rt>'» 'j hire ihc death of the Abbot Fearadhach, the son of Scannal
uf S^r. i.iil. and chionographer of this abbey.'-'- He is also called scribe
^:;(| .ib5-'t. However, the Annals of Ulster record the happy departure
«.{ I-«':.e!A<h .^lac Scannail, scribe, ])riest, and al)bot of Achaboo, at
AD. •**!-.'•» It is said the true \ear was a.i>. St;',. In the year 820.64
Ihc Abb^'t of Achadhd)o-Cainnigh, who is ciHrd Forbhasach, departed
this life. Tlie .\nnals of I'lster, at A.n. 821, ivl.ite. what the Four blasters
li.ivr n:-.de: S.'o.^.i In 835."^ died the .\bbot Kobliartagh Mac Maeluidhir,
Abi^.t ol Aeliaidhd'o-Cainni-h. At A.V). 8.} ;, the AnnaN of the Four
Masters''' state, th.it the Ablx>t Kobhartagh .Mac Bre^ail died. In
yw'"" :t In stated, that .Adill. Abbot of .\chadhdio, dejxirted this life;
\ ,t, \.\> d.'.-.:t!; i-- rccor(!ed in the " Clironimin Scotornm,""' at A.D. S55.
Is. •*>«;7.' ' or >v'^.-' '^•<-'d '^•'' Alio! SuairlaL'li or Suairleach, Superior of
A< h.s'ii.-!o-('a::::.i.:)j. 1 he " (duonicuin .S( o(oiiini,"7- narrates his
I! '-r^ l>t <»!>■ •; .\.in'» ■* .\K:1.ll^ o( °' ^'C Dr. O'l>onovan's edition, vol. i.,
Mr I-,..i ^Ui-.-.-v" V.I r, J ;,'. :/>. ]>p. .; 20. .',j\, awA n. (h.), ibi J.
j.^._ *^ S'-f (2oii;. Ill's " Act.T, SanclDrum
♦ » t- t'.-:.' »■ r. iijir.'K is I.a'.mtrcd Hilx-Mii e." p. 7.-' ;. M.irtii xxviii., IJe S.
"',i:\: j AfCi." <-^ " uti'r jl-ii: V : i. " ( ■ .ImII ) MVC CuIl.lMo I-' j >i ^' opo, D. 5.
•• '>»v'v }Uv. I>; in-::-:''^ " K-ium " S-f Iv-v. Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum
Jl,!.5j?..'*rA; -Ki ^..:r^J.".^<t s " T<j::iu» »v,. Hiht.-rnic,irmii Scriptores," Tcjmus iv.,
" Aa.^.i.^'^ l.'U.-Xii-ni^!,"'' j 1:1, 1 . \>. fVj. " .\nii;i!e-> tjlloncinsus," pars, i., ]>. 198.
••» ^-.v IT. <>'lK4Vu> j.n'» f iUi >:) vol. ** St-e Dr. O'Doiiovan's "Annals of
». J'- }*>. *•*. ^^'^ Fuur .Masters," vol. i., pp. 430, 431.
'■•' Is- i*iaii * t-'-...L..>f':«'»:i;v f.-c-.lils tlic *' St-e Kev. Dr. O'Conor's " Rernni
I ,3.1 Mit'.f;» ■■isl. C-r ''-.'.rv o{ an .\M'>>t Ihlicrni. anini Scrijnores," Touius iv.,
'<. »;a l*.)j » <i'A'.;>, A'. T7* l'-< I'f^- " Ann.ik-b l.'ltoniLMiscs," p.irs. i., p. 203,
t» lKx.r»*-i"» rij'.ii.a, Lw^cvcr. iJ.rrc is ** See Dr. O'Donuvan's "Annals of
t^»,^ «ath »f» '.?.!. tli<-" l'""ur Masters," vol. i., pp. 452, 453.
•« AniiUn va:1» l.irn »!.r Al..l-,it «■ S.-r ,Md.. vul. i., pp. 4O4, 465.
S<.»r;!*!a* Jm; S-r-^ " yi.:\\^u^.>>Q ''"' "^'-i' Dr. ( )' 1 ii-nov.m's " .\nnals of
H:V!r...-.iir.."' }•. <aS. t!'.^ I'oiir M.i-Ur.s," vol. 1., pp. 486, 487.
'* In H^rn*' " \Vat<- ■* v.w lu S.-- is '"'■' S''- William M. llennessy's edition.
tjii.) 'vo l..»vr ."lUo! .n t».c .--ih ..( pp I-;. i;>.
Nfvtrnt<r. ;"< t. or ;.S4." Sec " Wiitcin ^'^ See I )r. O'Donuvan's "Annals of
<5 Irrl.u; ';."■' l*K>k ».. <.}:.»;•. v.. t>. 50. the l-mir .M. esters," vol. i., pp.490, 491.
»» b'<- ■' Aan.il> of llic Four Sl-L^trrs," '' .Vccurdint; to the " .\nnals of
\ .' 1.. pp. Vy.'. >vi. Ulster." Se-e Rev. Dr. O'Conor's
*» Ac^ordini^ to Jl.un.s' "Ware," he " Keruin Hiliernicarum Scriptores,"
v>.i-» CAn..:iirr\l n\ utv l>v I\>j->r C.rf:,;orv T<miiu> i\-. i .irb. 1., p. 224.
l.\. Sec VI. 1. ui., " Writers uf Ireland.'' '- St.- WilUaiu M. Hennessy's edition
l..ik 1 . <l..ip v., p. u. pp. 150, 157.
M
t()2 history of the qiieen's copnty.
deatli at A.D. 859. With a high commendation for his talents ajid
virtnes, at A.D. S74, the death of Abbot Cinaedh is recorded, in the
Annals of the Four Masters. 73 They quote an Irish verse, 74 referring to
his departure, and the following is Dr. O'Donovan's translation of it
into English : —
" Great grief is Cinaedh the revered chieftain, son of
Cosgrach of beaming coimtenance.
The gifted torch, enraptured Bard, the exalted Abbot of
Achadh-bo."
His death is recorded, however, under a.d. 875, 7.s in tlie Annals of Ulster ;
but, we are told, the correct year is 876.76 In 885, died the Abbot
Maolmarten, or ]Maelmartain,77 " Servant of Martin," and Abbot of
Achadh-bo-Cainnigh. At a.d. goi,7S f^^. prior of Achadh-bo-Cainnigh,
named Celi Mac Urthuile, or Urthuili, died. In 913,7'' the Abbey of
Achadh-bo was plundered b}^ the strangers, or Danes.^o ajiparently for
tlie first time ; Si and, about that period, a fresh horde had entered the
estuary of the Nore, Suir, and Barrow, then known as Locii-Dachaech.
In 914,^2 (^ied the Abbot of Achadh-bo-Cainnigh, ^^laenach I\Iac Dailigein.
In this year, also, the abbey was plundered h\' the Gentiles, according
to the " Chronicum Scotorum " ; S3 but, this probably has reference to the
strangers' raid already recorded. In 915, the Abbey of Aghabne was
again plundered by the Danes, according to certain Anonymous Annals,
quoted by Archdall 84 for the statement ; we are told, however, Archdall
makes two plundcrings here out of one outrage, ■'^5 viz., that in 913. In
926,86 died the Abbot of Aghaboe, and who was named Ciaran. The
Annals of Ulster §7 call him Ciaran, Coarb of Cainnech, at a.d. 927 alias
928,88 their date for his death.
In 933,89 the Abbot Cormac Mac Alaeny or Maenach, Abbot of
Achadh-bo, was slain by the people of Eoganaght.^" In the year 969,91
or 970, died the Abbot Maelsamhna, or Maelsavna,93 successor of Cain-
■^3 See Dr. O'Donovan's edition, vol. i., ^s t^pp William M. Hennessv's edition,
pp. 520, 521. pp. 186, IS;.
^* It runs thus: — si Scu " ■\Ionasticon Hibernicum,"
mofi tiAc CionAcx) 311JICA min-o rri&c p. 588, and in n. (z) Annal. annon.
Cof5|iAi5 CO ftiocliAil) pn.ui, "■"' See " The History, Architecture,
In bjteo buA-OA, IJaiLc bAp-o, comA^ibhA and Antiquities of the Cathedral Church
A^x> SchAm bo. of St. Canice, Kilkenny," by the Rev.
■'s See Rev. Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum James Graves. A.B., and John G.
Hibernicarum Scriptores," Tomus iv., Augustus Prim, sect, i., chap, i., j)- I7-
pars, i., p. 232. 815 t;ee j)]-_ O'Donovan's " Annals of
■^8 See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the Four iMasters." vol. ii., pp. 61 S, 619.
the Four jNlastcrs," vol. i., n. (x.) s? The Codex Clarendon Copy, Tomus
'■^ See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of xlix. Seen, (a), ibid., p. 621.
the Four Masters," vol. i., pp. 536, 537. «8 See Rev. Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum
''s See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of ' Hibernicarum Scriptores," Tomus iv.,
the Four Masters," vol. i., pp. 562, 563. pars, i., p. 259.
''^ See Dr. O'Donovan's "' Annals of 89 gge Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of
the Four Masters," vol. ii., pp. 5S4 to 587. the Four IMasters," vol. ii., pp. 630, 631.
8" See Colgan's " Trias Thaumaturga," s" See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum
p. 633. HiluTiiire," xvii. Februarii. Appendix
®i See " The History, Architecture, ad Vitam S. Cormaci, cap i., p. 360.
and Antiquities of the Cathedral Church ^i See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of
of St. Canice, Kilkenny," by the Rev. the Four Masters," vol. ii., pp. 694, 695.
James Graves, A.B., and John G. ^^ According to the " Annals of
Augustus Prim, sect, i., chap, i., p. 17. Ulster." See Rev. Dr. O'Conor's
82 See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of " Rerum Plibernicarum Scriptores,"
^he Four Masters," vol. ii., pp. s,S6, 587. Tomus iv., pars, i., p. 279.
!' \1<I>I1 cK \(,ll \1.' II".. , i5:
tif.iili. Ill i(»n;,''i the Abbot .I'ji^lm^, till- M)ii oi l^it's^al. successor ot
CamiK-ach, div>\ on In- pil-iiinaj^tr, ;it Aiiiia,L;li. Al a.d. Kio;, the Annals
('!' ri-t. I.''.- and oi tli,- I-'our Ma>tci s,'-'' umcu.I (hi- death ot Maclmaire
I a < .«M:.i:;aiii mi> cr --. .r ot Cainurai b. In i<.oS.''7 dicl t be A1)bot Cathal
.'I r.ith.dil. tb<- sell ol Callus <'i ('li.iilc-, and tbe succes-or of Cainneach.
At :li:- ya:. ab.v i!i x]..- Annal> of I Istri,"^ tbe death of Cabal ]\Iac
r.iil'i-.i «'...itb (-1 ('.t:n!Ka( h. i> lecordetl. In loii,'''.' rcc/t- 1012, died
t!.' Ai J-'t Ci.i'A. Ml' ■ r--or of rainiicMcb. In loij,"'^' died tbe Abbot
<!.»;. r.i (m .iri^ain or ( »'('u'arL;an, svi(ce>>or of Cainneach. In tbe year
!<• v'' ' ' < •"!■ :<■ l"-i Coiinhijullain, suece--or of Cainni'acb, died at Rome.
It; I'V.s.' ' «'.i:.j. a i:obl.' j)iic>,t of A.^baboe, die(L In io5o,i"3 died tbe
A* U.i IhiMitli.i. !i,' •• the von of Meleadba, or Milidb, successor of Cain-
i.^A' U li %vr .lie to Ulievc the K'ev. lulward Letlwicb, the old conventual
\»js cl.\:..:f! trito .■ ( atbedral cbincli about this time.i'^5 In tbe \'ear
T'S-'. •» 'fi'it'h u.i> ••reeled Inn-, or rather the church of the monastery
T»^\ :rbvj:it,»''' uhtn-in the shrine of tbe juitron St. Canice was placetl,
Atif'f^hr-.s" to tlic Manu.scri])! AiniaN <il I.emster, quoted in Harris'
" U'4i«-."" ■ In 1056, "^'> died the .Abliot Cassacb.i"'' or Cathasach,!'"
M.sj oi (M-atitMrbhan, succc-sor of Cannu-ach, in Cianacbta.i 'i but he
«ii^» liot a;'j-<Mi to iia\-f bad any fui tlier ccjinit'ctiou with tbe locality of
A< ha<!!idx'. ^^•l, be i'^ >t\lrd thr chief among the foiemost of tbe
N!!j!i'«t.-r « I'lcy."-' In i<;')(), tin- Al.ibot Caomb Oran. or Coemboran,
•.ij<rcvo: ol ("a!nn<-.trli. .ind Abbot ot A^babor. died ; while on this very
viJnc \i.t: I-i.;.') ita. h. a la.ble |>ri»-.t of .\( hadb-bo, di-]iar(ed this life in
A .,•<'*- 1 i.'d .i^-«.-,"'' In n ''o.iii l-\i(I,iii. tbr M;nd I'a .Mordba,"^ the son
•• V,, I.r <• 1 '..::, v.^nS •' .\ii:i.;l-, v)! ' '- Src ■' J lie lli-tciry, Arcliitectiiro,
tl,<- J >r M-o'.'j-. ■■ \.; II,, ly ;.;v ;.;■;. .1:1.! .\uli.iuitus of ilic Cathedral Churcli
" I j.c < .•:< X I l.i.-' !,.; ij. ioi.MiN \iix. .a x. Cmio-, Kilkenny," hy the Rev.
V"- il»" }<<-v J»:. 0( -,:i.,r''» "l<r:ii:u J,iiiu-> (.r.ive^, A.I>., mnl' John G.
I!-.: • :r.w«t.'--- ^' :\; '. :rt," i\::\\if i\., An.u-tus I'nm. chap, i,, p. 17.
S-AJ- » - ;■ -'■ '"' ^""■'- Mil. 1., "Bishops of Ossory,"
'" Ncf J "^f < ^i '•>»;'.. l!»'» r-llM,.!). Vul. p, ^(;S.
ti , ly r-.' :•■/ All J Ti (-■ < p. ;'v). i'lJ. ' "• See lir. O'Donovan's " Annals of
•' '^ff I': «'lvf, .\.i'-.S ■■ Viiii.iN '.f the I-', lur -Masters," Vol. ii., pp. S;o, 871.
<i}.r l.'^t '.4.k»V!v" V I ti . pp ;'»>. r'li- '^''^ See Arclidairs " Monasticon Hiber-
♦'» f.-^v •;■> w.f •••!«-\ (l.ifr: I II, meiim." p. 580.
t.r.:,i_%x;'.% v* aN- Kr\. I "r, (.>■(".,!'. ,r'> ''• Ih u.i^ .\lihot of Droniachose or
" iut^-i JM"-t!;j-. A.'u::» Si :tptfiri->." I ei iii.inkeiii;v--ileilicated to St. Canice
I,;ir ;•„» »»■ ; \r» 1. p -•>• --in the Harony of Keenaght, and
»•» '•-•< X>: li l^i->' .An'* " Ann.iit of ((iim!\ of Londonderry. See Rev. Dr.
?*r.« J. »f MAf.'fs " \..! u . pp. 7<M, •'•;,. |\(evi>' " Kcclebiastical Antiipiitie.s of
»'* Sf«e I»T < >'IV45 -vi.-i'* ■■ .\nn.ils ol l>owii, C'oiiiior and Dioinore," p. J74,
t?i.p I ..i*if *£»»'.■■?♦.■' *-x>3 11 . j'j>. ;i^>. 707. and 11. (o),
«>« <--r t>r, 0"U.tt .\ j!>'» " Ann.ih. <d '" He is called Caljasach mac
J?.^ l\,-4r Jiti.'.r-:*." \'h II . pp. >i;.}, £5;. Cirr^.o l-.m, C(;arl) of Cainneach, in
"• Scr IH. (>'r> >r;'.v.i!Ps " ,\iiti.ils of K\an,i. ht, in the Codex Clarendon copy
!!><■ r<Kjr ^!A^•.<•r» " V. !. :i pp. .'<.4'<. 8.P;. of the I d-->ter Aiiiials, at 1056, Tomus
"» Stt I»r- 0'I\>n"V.,iPs •' Ann.ils <<i \\ix.
U;'- I-'our M.Vi'.m." vol 11.. pp. ^if'>. 8;;. "•' See I?ev. Dr. O'Coiior's " Keruin
"• He i» talK-«! Dti% }i.ich in.ic Mil' la, J liliermcn uin Sei iptu .-,," Tcjinus iv,,
<'<'Ai!i <«f (\iianr,t<.li, i.'i Jl'c C"Ie\ " \nu.ile-. Cltonieiises," ])ars, ii., p. 330.
Clarrndon copy of lJ:c Ann.il% of t'Ister, " ' See Dr, O'Donov.m's " Annals of
at A «». II >o, T<'iTiu!> xlix. Sc- Kcv. tlie Four Masters," vol. ii., pp. 888, 889.
I>r. <)T-,n<>r"s *' Kerum Hit.eriiic.uura i'« See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of
Sctipt-'frs," Tomus iv.." .\nnalf4 Ultoni- the Four Ma-^ters," vol. ii., pp. 896, 897,
cnvr-.." j'lrs. ii.. p. 332. dfn] n. (e), ;//((/.
«•> S." Grc-sc'H " Antiquities if »'^ He descended from Mordha, the
Ifd.in 1 " vol. ii,, p. 39. pro-emtiir of the O'.Moores ot I .ei.t.
l64 HISTORY OK TUl' QUEEN'S COUNTY
of Aimirgin,"^ died at Achadh-bo. This year, most prol)ably, Macraith
Ua Mordha was killed at Muilleann-na-Crossan,"? in the vicinity of
Achadh-bo ; thus being punished for an act of impiety and murder
committed at Timahoe.i'S in 1090, died the Abbot Cian 6'Buachalla,'i9
successor of Cainneach in Ciannachta ;i-« but, he does not appear to have
been locally connected with Aghaboe. About the year iioo, Aghaboe was
noted as a place of resort for religious pilgrims.i^i In 1105,^-- died Aedh
O'Ruadhan, a priest of this abbey, as also another priest of Aghaboe,
named Ailillan Ua Spealain. In the year 1106, the Annals of Clonmac-
noise state, that the family or community of Kilkenny — which must
here mean the monastic community of St. Canice at Aghaboe — gave an
overthrow to the comnuuhty of Leighlin.^-^ This must mean in the matlrr
of some ecclesiastical privilege or endowment. In 1108, died Celech
Ua Caemhorain, successor of Cainnech. The Annals of Ulster, '--i at
this same date, record the death of Ccallach O'Cyvoran, Coarb of Caiii-
ncch, or rather Cclsus O'Coemoran.i-5
In the beginning ol Lent, in the year 1116,'-'^ the Abbey or Oratory
of Achadh-bo-Chainnigh was destroyed by lire, -l This devastation is
also recorded in the Annals of Ulster.^^s at the same date, and in the
Annals of Loch Cc.i-9 In 1125, Archdall states, 130 that the Monastery
of Aghaboe was plundered by Turlogh O'Connor, and, for this he quotes
the Annals of the Four Masters ; but, we do not find- such a statement
in Dr. O'Donovan's edition. In 1154,131 Cian Ua Geracham, the successor
of Cainneach, died. About the year of Redemption iiSo, the episcopal
see of Upper Ossory, which had been at first in Saigir, and subsequently
at Aghaboe, was removed to Canicopolis, or Kilkenny ; which city was
named after its patron St. Canice, and where, in after times, was erected
that beautiful cathedral dedicated to him, and which, for magnificence
or fine architectural proportions, was second to no other in the kingdom. i3^
But the original church there, and dedicated to St. Canice, was burned
in the year 10S5, as may be gleaned from a passage, in Dr. O'Donovan's
edition of the " Annals ^of the Four Masters. "'33 and the place seems to
have been of some importance towards the close of the eleventh
century.' 34
116 He was slain, .\.d. 1026. Hibernicarum Scriptores," Tomus iv.,
117 Interpreted, " the mill of the " Annales Ultonienses," pars, ii., p. ^,72.
Crossans." ^-" See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of
118 See ibid. the Four Masters," vol. ii., pp. 1002,1003.
ii» Now Anglicized, Buckley, without i^^ See " The History, ArchitL-cture,
the prefix Ua or O. and Antiquities of the Cathedral Church
120 See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals ol of St. Canice, Kilkenny," by the Rev.
the Four blasters," vol. ii., pp. 93S, 939, lames Graves, A.B., and John G.
and nn. (m u) ibid. Augustus Prim, sect. 1., chap. 1., jx iS.
121 See " The History, Architecture, 12a Codex Clarendon, Tomus xlix.
and Antiquities of the Cathedral Church See also Rev. Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum
of St. Canice. Kilkenny," by the Rev. Hibernicarum Scriptores," Tomus iv.,
James Graves, A.B., and Jolm G. "Annales Ultonienses," p. 379.
Augustus I'rim, chap, i., p. 18." i^^ See William M. Hennessy's edition,
122 See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of vol. i., pp. 106, 107.
the Four Masters," vol. ii., pp. 97S, i^^' See " Moiiasticon Hibemicum,"
079. P- 589-
123 See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of i^^ See Dr. O'Donovan's " .\nnals of
the Four Masters," vol. ii., pp. 9S6, 987. the Four Masters," vol. ii., pp. iioS, 1109.
12-4 The Clarendon Codex, Tomus xlix. 1^2 See Bishop de Burgo's " ITiberma
See n. (o) ibid. Dominicana," cap. ix., sect, xxx., subs.
125 See Rev. Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum i., ]i. 297.
I'AR!h.lI OF AdllAlUJli. 1*35
ILili Uk' town of Ayluiboc, and halt the cantivd in which it was
<.itnatcd, were given by Kmg Henry II. to Adam de Hereford; and.
the lands lying between Aghaboe and Leighhn were given to Johi;
<Ie Clahull, the ^^lareschal of Leinster.i3S That is, the monarch gave what
he had not })0ssessed, but, if these favoured adventurers were able t(.
-ubjugate the districts assigned them, so much the better for the English
< lown, and they were regarded as safe occupants in its interest. We do
not hear, however, that they were able to take possession ol then- royal
L'umts. About the end of King Hunrv H.'s reign, the Bishop of Ossory,
who was then Feli.x 0'Dubhlaui,i3(^ or b'Dullany,i37 formerly a Cistercian
monk, translated the see of Ossory from Aghaboe to Kilkenny. He
sreuH to have been the prelate who first laid the foundation of a cathedral
in thr latter citv, and others of his episcopal successors there laboured
m tlie W(Mk of its erection. i3« The Rev. Father Felix 0'Dubhlain,i39 or
l)i:Il.iiie, i'.i>liop of Ossorv, and whose cathedral church was then at
.\.;h.dH.r, m I'pper C)ssory", died in the year 1202, ^-^^ at Jcrpoint Abbey,i4'
to V. hich he is ^aid to luwe been a great benefactor, as also its first abbot.
He v..l^ buried in St. .Marv's Aliliey, at jerpoint, and his tomb was placed
at the nt.rth .nde of the Higli Altar.^-i- ' In the year izob, died the Abbot
.Nl.'.elpeackr O'Colman, according to the Anonymous Annals, quoted
\r: Auhdall."-^ We are at a ^l^s to know the author or title of these
. iu»>n;ek.s. Again, aecordmg to the eertaui Anonynv-'us Annals, cited by
«'■ ^c<.- \. I. 11., p. 'i:\, aii'i n. (r). t.iU-s,' n]'. \sii.,i>. ^-'>. A mistake here
'■* .^' .• '■ ili<j ll:->l.irv. Ai. l:ilri iiir.', oliui.-,, hi la-iiiliiii; MCll lor :MCC1I.
.it.^l \ii';'|\iui' .-. oi the C'itl.c.h.il C l.iiuh i*' .M.iiiv \car:> have elapsed since
. < M. (. .■.M'c. Kill.' I'.iiy." ! y ih-- K^v. .Mr. S. C. 'Hall iniljli^lieJ, but only for
!.!•:. c. «.r.i'.' . .\.I;..' .1:.-: Ji hu C, . J. ii\-ati: circulatiun, his exquisite, " Lines
At;. ■•.>-.:•;•■ 1';; . '••, t. i..ii,n', u., ] ;•. -.). writtm at Jerpuint Abbey," and dedi-
j: .;:■; '.:,!;> (attd to hi^ Uieiul ShetUeld Grace, Esq.,
'is*. vri- U ii.:.i,::i S; .iw ?.i.i m's "St;i- l'"..\.S. ThiM iHicni was issued at
•.i»'.;?-.vl .\--. ..:•.:. (■ v..'.' :.:.■.! -^uia--'.- t.i i..;n,li.n. .\.\>. iSj'u, .ind as well in the
l:cl--. ;." \. ".. « ; J ■ •« . 1 I-.v.ii.i I'dv'.S'h '-taii/av, as in the acconqianying notes.
, .T j; -• ■■ r..,-:ii >; .\..;.a! ••■■," No. 11., there IS .t we.dtli of local description
J.., •-• •. • and of historic I'lre. The poem opens
'•• ;»i.M f.> ;;rji*.iY %wiV.':". I''I.i:r,-. with the-e hue-. ;- •
--f-f j.n . .r.iv- -;:■-! o! 1.::.: !!i y. \ Kev. "How the r.irlh darkrti-, ! not a day-
r*T.-v=ii t". y ^At;"t •• l: ).■;■>. it <)-....<;ty be.ini chcrr^
♦r ■<•. C« \: ,'' ■ y> ;:--..•.:» Ins j-;. n ic the Its pcii-ive look, or ^ihls the evening
!;<;^?.l I'i» ■ m ■■ 'Ira;.^^^ t! :.> it t!ic >ky ;
<•►*>:•»■ .S;,i,»- ii.-^vcal SA'.rty." vtl. u,. Whih' thM:U'.^h the gloom, from other
; -4
WMilds ajti'e.irs
"♦ lU ^.-^i-f'.r''. I' ;i.ild 0"l''u.:.irtv. No sinil.- to bid the gathering
w.:-.... ; A"'. {:••■:■, * :i. i:;j »u ad. ii;-'. sh.niows die.
Ilii t-isr.."- a; j<*:» ..s> '..*.c I;;: til t'u!.itt>. All i:. ^^ -adU- still! the coolmg
Wj!*;^ Utt'jk {w.;t (£1 tJ.c S;,s>(j.! fif Kelis, in bill .'r,
<?,< i-w*SS.<-^ >-r4;, Sfc AJ! 4A<«.u:it ol l.i:;!. 1 l:at li..iu \-on mountains their
tu4 ;-;n :</> ?t> Jc-;. • nnKl lirshne-i bears,
!»• vr* }(;-.•»*»* •• \V.i;r ■' vi 1. i.. N"'.'. 1 rc.ithes not — lloituig through
** Ji»t,'-- ;'» 'i *./;•-...,♦%■' ; : yj tin; blosscjmed trees. —
•'* I(c »i v><-j;;'-'! ;:> Uiihaj:; M. 'I o f.iii t lie sable ^arb which Nature
ICfs-.:-.' ••>>'■» <->1'.!i..:j -i «!.'• " .\u!..d oi \w .ir^."
l.^khKC'" ai A :». J---. N>Jic:j re-. .id- '*' "It was reported that many
tag; }il* dr.itli. S-rc v.-I. J.. pj>. .•.•_•. ;iiir.i<des were lormerlv wrought at his
;:». loinl'." — Hams' "Ware," vol. i.,
»•» ^■■<•<: " T!;c Wh.Jo Work.s of the '•bishops o! Ossory," p. 40.^.
M>'-: U'v. J.iriicH r-shcr. I>.n., I.ofil >*^ ^t e " Monastieon liibernicum,"
Atcht ; hoji o! .Xrni.iKh, and rniii.ite ol p. fi.^o. and 11. (r) .\nn. Annon. ibid.
all !r<-!.ii..l," bv l.>r. ririiiv^toii. vol. vi., '** See •'. Monastieon liibernicum,"
'■ r.'it.iriMi arum Ecclesiarum Antiqui- p. 587, and n. (s) ibul.
r66 HISTORY of the queen's county.
Archdall,N4 in the year 1234, the great chui-(-h ot Aghaboe was built by
the Abbot. In the opinion of the Rev. ]{(l\varcl Ledwich, this was
probably on the site of the present parish cliurch, the architecture of
which bears some traces of that age. It appears to have been the church
chancel, for there is no west window to it : but, a Gothic arcli of red
grit, filled up, clearly marked a chancel, as the foundations of the walls
show a continuation for the edifice. Beside (he jMcsent Protestant
church there is a small hexagonal belfry, closed with a cap of masonry,
and it is on a line with the church roof. E.\-ce])t on the south, buttresses
support the fabric ; but, on that side there is a door, having concentric-
arches, enriched with carving and foliated. There are three windows ;
the eastern window is divided by stone mullions, and it branches into
trefoils. Within the church, its northern wall is adorned with niches,
canopies, and concentric mouldings. Near th(? comnumion table, there
is a curious confessional, it is stated, '45 in tlu; thickness of the wall.
There are no sepulchral monuments deserving notice, within or without
the church. ^^"^
In 1250 the cathedral seat of S. Canice was translated from Aghaboe
to the town of Kilkenny. It is no easy matter to asc-ertain at what
particular time Aghaboe became an episcopal see ; but, it is said to have
had under its superintendence the following parishes, in its neighbour-
hood, viz : — Offerlan, Bordwell, Rathsaran, Rathdgwnev, Kildelgy,
Skirk, St. Nicolas, Killahy, Clomantigh, Aghmacart, Donamore, Eirke,
Killermogh, Tubrid, Cahir, and Killeen.147 It afterwards, on the
removal of the see to Kilkenny, became the head of a rural Deanery.
Geoifry St. Teger, who ruled over the see of Kilkenny, from a.d. 1260 to
1286, and who is said to liave completed its cathedral commenced by
Felix OTnillany, repaired and beautified the episcopal palaces of
Aghaboe end Durrow.
While Sir James Ware attributes the foundation of Aghavoe
Dominican Convent, in Upper Ossory, to the Fitzpatricks,^^ who were
lords of the soil, i"^9 he does not specify the time of its erection; however,
his editor, Walter Harris, sets it down under the thirteenth centurv.^5«
He eems to have followed L. Aug. Alemand'^i in this statement ; but
Bishop De Burgo supi)oses,i52 that a typogra[)hical error crept into the
^*^ At the time of various visits to the the: time of Henry II. 's arrival in
jilace, tlie writer had no opportunity for Ireland, a.d. 117J, they were kings of
examining the interior of the Protestant Ossory. Afterwards, too, they were
Church. regarded as the chiefs or dynasts ol
1^° Such is the description furnished their territory, although sometimes
by Rev. Edward Ledwich, in No. II., opposed by tlieir Anglo-Norman neigh-
" Parish of Aghaboe," for \\'illiam Shaw bours. In the year 1522, Brian Gilla-
Rlason's " Statistical Account, or Patrick or Fitzpatrick ^ent a message
Parochial Survey of Ireland," vol. i. to King Henry VIII. to complain ol
See Archdall's " Monasticon Hiberni- the wrongs inllicted on him by the Lord
eurn," p. 5S9. Deputy of Ireland, Peter Butler, Earl of
i*« Bishop Otway's Visitation Book Ormond.
is quoted for these statements, by Rev. i^" See " De Tlibcrnia et Antiquita;l-
Edward Ledwich, in his paper No. II., busejus Disqui^iUones,"cap.xxvi.,p. i(i2.
on the " Parish of Aghaboe," p. 34. '■^'^ See Harris's Ware, vol. ii., " Anti-
See William Shaw IMason's " Statistical quities of Ireland," chap, xxxviii..
Account, or Parochial Survey of p. 276.
Ireland," vol. i. ^-'^ See " Histoire ]\Ionastique
i-*" See Harris' '■ Ware," vol. i., d'Irlande," p. 219.
" Bishops of Oss<-irv," p. 40fi. '^- See " Hibernia Dominicana," cap.
'■•^ For a long scries of years, and to ix., sect, xxx., subs, iii., ]ip. 297, 29S.
anlum cm u*cm I(>n\ i;Iv\
DOOlv'WAV Ol" CHURCH TOW FIR,
AdllAHOIL
-,.,, ,,,. M'.
\ii:\\' INK) iMii:i.A.N-s ciiAi>i;i., i k'<)a\ ai?hi;> ciu'KCH.
\..i. I
Src |)aL;c lj\.
PARISH OF AGHAl.Oi;.
167
IMonasticon of the lalti-r writer, or that lie (kerned the figures 1300 or
over to be referable to the thirteenth century, whereas they should
rather be assigned to the fourteenth centur\ . Allusion is made by Sir
James Ware to certain Aimals of the Order of Preachers,i53 brought
down to the vear of Christ 1274, when their aiunuinous author
nourished. 1 54 These Annals begin from a.d. 45 to the year indicated,
and they are now generally known as " Amialrs Montis'Fernandi," or
Annals of Multifernan.'" and they arc regarddl as the jtroduction' of a
Monk. 156 Sir Janus Ware gives also a very exact list of aJl the Houses
of the Dominican Order. '57 and which were in Ireland before the year
IJOO.'SS Aipong these. '59 howcver, the mention of A,L;habne is not to be
found; which provis suffi( ientlv that it had not ihen any existence.
During the year 13J5 the death <.t Downad or Donnel" Duff Mac
(lilpadricke is recorded.'"' In thai \ear. or iluring the following, it is
stated that Fitzi)atnel:. ancestor to the Lords ol U])per Ossorj-, erected
a monastery on the site ol the ancient catlu'dral, and under the invocation
ot St. Canice.!''^' it wa> destined for friars ol the Order of St. Dominick,"^-
and after a lapse of two hundred years, sinei tlie I'piscopal see of Ossory
liad been moved to Kilkenny, the Dominicans restored the original
Church at Aghaboc, and thev built a Hou-c foi their Older convenient
to it, under the invoe.ition of St. Canice."'
In the year 1340. on Mav I3tli,i<j-i accor.ling to .Afchdall.iC.s Dcrmot
MacGillepatrick — the one-eyed -.1 m.iu reiiiarl-cd.ile (or his villainies, for
his plots and treasons.''" burnt this town ; wIp-ii tin- >hrines, bones, and
reliques of the blessed St. C.inice -the foumier and patron of this holv
place — were lost in that <'ontlagration."': .Aciording to Friar Chn. the
^■^'^ These were ]>ri'.-erv I ,en .11.; tli--
]Mannscripts of Arclibi-!io;) l,'>-ii<.T.
154 This was atte.stcil, lil.ewiir, from
tlie form ol the cluiractcis in which tin y
had been written.
'Es These have been o'litcfl bv Ai|uill.i
Smith, M.D., JM.IM.A,, with .a Preface
and Notes, for the Irish .\ri li,folof;;ca 1
Society, a.d. 1S42.
'■'''^ Sir James Ware sii-;.>ixt^ bun tu
have been Brother Stephen .!•• M\o;u.i.
said to have been Ixjrn \.i\ i .vj'>. and
to have received the h:il':t 'in th'- <lav
of the Annunciation uf ili-- H1n-><-.1
Virgin, a.d. 1263.
'^'' The sequence of found.vti'jn, in c-acli
case, is dated accorthng to the orilcr oi
time.
^^^ See " De Sc^i!"Jtor^:■•,l^ Hib-rrni.i-,"
Lib. i., cap. ix., pp. M, (,J.
150 This list has been r-pub!i -h-rvl bv
Bishop de Burj^o, in his " HilT.nii.i
Dominicana," caji ii., srn i.. subs vj .
p. 38.
""•' It is said, he v.i^ U'-.e h( :mu-!)-
killed by his own nbit-. m. on tlic
Sunday which iiiini-. li.i'.c !y i /.I'jwc^.I
tlie Octave of S.iint Lrmrtntc. See
" Annalinm Hiberni.e O.r.>nicoii. ad
Annum MCCCXLIX.." di.-^Mt I-rater
Joannes Clvn, ()rdini> Mujonim r.\
Conventu Kilkeiinicnsi. p, 17 IMuion
"1 \''i\ Iv V. Richard Butler, A.B.,
.M.1\.I..\., 1 >r,iu el ("l!)nni:icnoisc. Dublin,
I. '■:.)<;, .)iM.
"•' S-..- .\rcluKiirs " Monasticou
Hi: riinciiiii," p. ;Si).
■'-' S' r the accuuiu of Aghavoe
Qjiiveni, Ml !ii-.hop de Hiirt'o's " Ilibernia
l)oniinii. ,in,i," cap. i.\., .sect, xxx., pp. 296
to ^','J.
'"> i;isl..,p ]!,■ liur-u a.lds, "Ad hanc
ii-.p:'- It ::;p' -aateui rcteiita, ut semel
itiT\i:nq\ie ./.;/;,/, e,. xeisans didici:
N'-'iuf iilhus .dttiius Cceiiobij aut
M"n.isi,;ij ciijus\'is cirdinis, aut
In^tlt^ltl. \t! luiiiiMum Ivudus, aut
Mdiumit ntuiii in\eiiirL est Ai^liavoir ,
aut in liiubus ejii>." — Ibid., subs, ii.,
p. -•■>:.
''"' 1 hr d.ite duc:i not .-i^^ree, howe\-er,
••silli l-r.ilii JmIkiuiu-s Clyn's " Annaliuiii
Hibciuii Clirc.iiuc.n, ad Aniiuin
.MCCCXl.IX." Thdc It IS said, this
tr.iie.i. thii toek I'lace, " die Veneris iii.
Nnn.is .M.iii." riiis coriesponds witli
.May 5tli. See p. 3J, Wry Kev. Richard
IhitK-i'h cdaiDii.
"■•^ See " MMiKisticou Hibernicuiii,"
p. .>^'.'-
'«» The Chronicler Clyn adds.
" taiujuani degener iilius in patrein
crudeliter deseviens, igne crudelissimo
coinbu-sit et consumpsit." — " Annalium
l()S HISTORY OF THE OUEEN's COUNTY.
(iclinquent was a perjuror, who associated O'Carroll with himself in
this impious act, while they dared lo profane both cemetery and church
Archdall'^-'^ gives an exact and detailed list of the Abbots at Aghaboe
from the year 138-, and as he seems to have drawn it from the account
furnished by the then existing incumbent, the is.ev. l^lward Ledwich, we
should greatly desire to ascertain how the latter obtained it, and wc
should also feel anxious to have the respective dates for their presidency,
as he appears to have a very exact order of their succession. it>9 The
lands annexed to the abbey, such as those of Aghaboe, with the Cross
and Friars' land, were of a considerable extent, and of the best quality.'"'^
On the 8th of October, 1537, Brian Fitzpatrick, son to the Brian already
mentioned, took an oath of allegiance to King Henry VIII. ; and, as a
reward for this submission, he was created by the said King, Baron of
Upper Ossory. on the nth of June, 1541. He married Margaret Butler,
daughter to the Lord Deputy of Ireland, Peter, Earl of Ormond, his
father's great enemy and oi')pressor.i7i From this marriage a son was
born, at hrst known as Sir iiarnaby Fitzpatrick, second Baron of Upper
Ossory, who died without male issue, and Florence then became the
third Baron of Upper Ossory. He married Catherine, daughter to Sir
Patrick O'Moore, of Abbeyleix, in the Queen's County. By lier he had
five sons, Thaddcus, his successor and the fourth Baron ; John of Castle-
town ; Galfrid of Ballyraghin ; Barnaby or Brian of \Yatercastle ; and
Edmund of Castle Fleming. 17- At the dissolution of Irish Monasteries,
the Anglicized Fitzpatricks were not forgotten, when dividing the spoils
of the expelled Friars of Aghaboe. By an Act of Parliament, passed m
the 33rd year of Henry VIlI.'s reign, commissioners were appointed t(j
assign lands and tithes for vicars nominated by the Crown, out of those
lormerly belonging to dissolved abbeys. Thus, the Baron of Upper
Ossory had the patronage of Aghaboe in 1581, when he bequeathed t(j
his brother Florence, ame^ig other things, all the furniture of his castks
of Borreidge and Killin^e, with all his tithes in Ossor\', excepting those
of Aghaboe, which were left to his wife. On the lOth of April, and m
the forty-third year of Queen Elizabeth's reign, tliis Monastery of
Hiberni;c Chronicon ad Annum Maunce Fitzpatrick, Hugh O'Kirvan,
IMCCCXLIX," J). 3j. Dominick Phelan, James Horan, Walter
>''■'' See "Parliamentary Gazetteer of Ryan, Denis Cahasy, Anastasius Beacon,
Ireland," vol. i., ]>. 14. Patrick Comcrford, Rory Fitzl-'atrick,
i"s See " Monasticon Hibernicum," Christian Conally, Felix Ma,L;rath, James
p. 590. O'Cleary, James Cavana,L;li, Nicholas
182 This may have been obtained Caravan, Francis WcFarrel, Thomas
from 13ishop De Burgo, or from some T'ltzPatrick, Hugh Cashin, Darby Creary,
other Dominican, who had access to the James \Vilhams, and Patrick Keely.
Records of his Order. The names thus 1''° See Archdall's " ]\lonasticon
itjllow, and the last mentioned — it is Hibernicum," p. i^iyo.
clear — lived after the middle of the '■'^ According to I^odge, when the
eighteenth century : — John O'Faelain, messenger of Brian l'"itzpatrick appeared
Michael Cashin, Patrick FitzPatrick, before King Henry Vlfl., in the Ro\ul
John O'Cara, James O'Hahir, James Palace at London, he s])oke these words
FitzPatrick, Ambrose FitzGerald, in Latin : " Sta pedibus, Domine Rex,
Patrick Gorman, Thady O'lvelly, Dominus mens Gillapatricius me misit
Stephen Lynch, Patrick ?^IcDonagii, ad te, et jussit dicere, quod si non vis
Patrick Coigly, Donat O'Cuiffe, John castigare Petrnm l^ufum, ipse faciei
Tuohy, Manus O'Dempsey, Dominick bellum contra te." — Vol. ii., p. 240.
Nolan, Stephen Burke, John O'Theige, i'^-' See Bishop De Burgo's " Hibernia
Thomas O'Sullivan, Richard FitzPatrick, Dominicana," cap. ix., sect, xxx.,
Kyran Leynachan, Michael Keoghy, num. iii., n. (p), \). 2qS.
rAKisii OF Al.hahoi-. i6q
\.!..il.><- with itb .ij.purtcii.iiict-^, and ilic advowson of the rectory of
m' ""'KrMi'f oi A:'l..il*.c, wi'io Ki'iii'^-1 to l-loimcc Fitzpatrick, at the
aniui.il rent ui i^ i- '•' H<- \vas thud I'-auHi ol ri'i"!- Ossory, and
tii.- iM:j(<s.:"n v^-> 'i..:«:d -i-l '>t J^»lv, i'a'o,'7-» accoidiii- to Harris '7j
i:,i\ \i'\' ■•> li. '.•'•Kth li.irnii i.i I'liixr ()-M)rv was Jliaddeiis Fitz-
•Mt:;<i.,"%^). > i:;-.'.:;' i jo.intKi. ni-xr (o jaincs Ihillrr, ninth ]':arl of
« »:;i;''>:.'l Ih'-;: lo'tr <••:■.> \vrr>- Hrian or liarnahy, D.rmit or Dermoid,
I,"j':VTi' ..; InL. h. .i;. i John. Ihi.tn or Barnabv Incame iUv fifth Baron
i,i rV,.*«-r <>.-..,, :y /a:'-. 1 h- m.irrifd Mar.i^an-t iVailrr, dau-hter to Walter,
<-l.-.rV!lh l.^:i *-'' <^>ri..«'"'l. Ti\v)V soiis were Brian or Barnaby, Edward
it. 5 I'kJi. .;•..«•: Ihi-c i!^.'.iri>hed in the seventeenth century. Aghavoe in
fj'-.-i Tk . ,;vh.».l turtv-Uvc lownlands,'7S -md it was worth, in 1640,
'^' Ui i* V^'iu Ih.}, |».'.rjsh the Duke of Buckinj^diam was proprietor of
ir^ iull'fAini; tlcr.onunations : viz.— i. Shanbogh, arable, pasture and
C.ivA) -''.J a. .i \x<. -■ Burris, arable and pasture, 660 a. 3. Derreeni-
vC'jill-h ar.\i.!r. {..isture and moor, 254 a. or. 4 p. Municultipenan, arable,
^;a,!un- 'md :n->or. J^w. 5. Dermeslough, arable, pasture and moor,
fu J ' O. B.i!lvdee'nioderv, arable, pasture and moor, 63 a. o r. 20 p.
7 Kc-^J, .ir-iLle and pasture, -^j a. 3 r. o />. 8. Derryborgm, arable and
(..isturc. i'.«.» .;. 3 r. 20 p. 9. Bardnasallogh, arable, pasture and shrub,
v> J I'o. Balhiorgin, arable and pasture, Soa. 2 r. 2 p^ ii. Ballykeran,
oiablo, J>a^lu^c and shrub, 71 a. 2 r. 0/). 12. Cappagh, arable, pasture
and shrub, 114 a. i> Kilbeg, arable, pasture and shrub, 171a. 14.
Ku.xkni-. arat)le and pasture, 49 «. Next comes 15 Mrs. Pigott,
M.i duTin-tart, arable, pasture and moor, 124 a. i r. 29 p. The next in
ordrr i'>. H Terence Fit/Patrick, Lismore, arable and pasture, 692 a., a bog,
S-, '.' -^ r. o/>. 17. The Duke of Buckingham, Ardnarny, arable and
i.-ibtme ]ici. )r.op. 18. The same, Grancemore, arable and pasture,
'80 a ,a bo-, 1 15 ./. o /-. o />. 19. Mrs. Pigott, Grangebeg, arable and pas-
ture 325 a. 20. Duke of Buckingham, Ballybrogy, arable, pasture and
shrub, -;o4 <:., a l>og. 21. The same, Kilrottom, arable, pasture, moor and
shrub' 2i<) </.'i r. 2 p. 22. Morgan Cashin, Carran, arable and pasture,
650 a. " 2j. Parson of Aghboe, Kcallagh, arable and pasture, 1571 a,
24. Mr. Carpeiit.T. Aghaboe, arable, pasture and moor, 295 a. 25. F.
iMtzpatrick and Ant.' Cashin, Knockmullen, arable and pasture, 96 a.
>o Barnaby Fitzpatrick, Gurtnebooke, arable, pasture, wood, moor
and meadow, 4S7 a. 27. Parson of Aghaboe, Farranagh, arable
and pasture, 69 a. 2 /. 10 p. Half the Chapter. 28. Anthony Cashin,
Cross arable and pasture, 147 a! 29. Mr. Carpenter, part. Friar's Land,
arable and pasture, 50 a. 30. Thomas Hovenden, Boherard, arable,
pasture, moor and shrub, 341 a. 31. Morgan Cashm, Coolbally, arable,
>" According to the Auditor-General's i" See Bishop De Burgo's " Hibernia
RL-cords. Diiminicana," cap. ix., sect, xxx., num.
i"» " Post Doinorum ReG;ularium iii., n. (p), 29S.
oinnis Ordiuis de Institati in ilibernia 1 ^s This number, however is con-
SviivMCbsionem " &c " llibernia siderably under that ot the denomina-
Don'umcana," cap. ix., sect, xxx., subs. tions given and describing tje state
,^. p ogg of the parish in 1640, as found in the
'i"Sc"e Harris' " Ware," voL ii., " Anti- Dowii Survey, and quoting proprietors.
ciuities of Ireland," chap, xx.xviii., denominations, quahty of land, prolitable
J| ^_5 and unprolilable. bee the Appendix
leasee his "Peerage of Ireland," tothe Rev. Edward Lcdwich's "Statis-
vol ii pp 245 246. tical Account of Aghaboe, pp. 7(^. 77-
1^0 HISTORY OF THE QUEEN S COUNTY.
pasture, moor and shrub, 260 a. 32. Sir Charles Cootc, Pahiier's HiU,
arable and pasture, 113 a., a bog. ;^^. Theubald Butler, Billiegiebane,
arable, pasture, moor and shrub, 135 a. 34. Florence. FitzPatrick
Towrooe, arable, pasture, moor and shrub, 12 ii. 35. Morgan Cashcn,
Ballygoudanbeg, arable, pasture and moor, 50,7. 36. Thomas Hovendcn
Ballygoudanmore, arable, pasture, moor and shrub, 8S a. 37. Gcoftry
FitzPatrick, Kilmulfoyle, arable and pasture^, 2()m </. 3S. John Fitz-
Patrick, Ballygihen, arable, pasture, wood, moor and meadow, 1,430 a.
39. Morgan Cashen, Larah, arable and pasture. 124 a., a bog, 11 a. 2 r. o pi
40. Daniel FitzPatrick was proprietor of Knocl:tin, ai-ablc, pastuie,
moor and wood, 250 a. 41. Kileneseare, arable, pasture, wood, and
moor, 246 a., a bog 25 a. 0 r. o p. 42. The same, a wood. 43. The same,
Clonkinahanbeg, a' 'vble, pasture and moor, 20 (?.. a bog. iq (^ or. op
44. Florence FitzPatrick, Clonkinahanmore, aralilc-, pasture and moor,
129 f?. 3;'. 0 />. 45. The same, Kileteloga, aralile, pasture and moor,
182 a. 4b. The same, Oklglass, arable, pasture, moor and shrub, 303 uM^)
In 1657, Aghavoe was set for the use of the Cdnunonwealth at ;^6o
per annum. A church was there, at the time ; but it had no minister. i^'"-'
In Kev. Dr. Ledwich's " Antiquities 01 Irekuid " liiere is an interesting
account of the Church of Aghaboe.'^' to which is prehxed a coj)per-plate
engraving of the old Abbey and Church by J. Ford from a drawing by
W. Bcauford. There is also an engraved map of the jDarish of Aghaboe
in the Queen's County, Barony of Upper Ossory. copied from the actual
Survey~of Sir W. Petty in 1655. This latter is very interesting, as
sliowing the parish extension in 46 numbered plots— Coolkerry townkmd
being separated at some distance from the bull: of the lands, yet forming
a part of Aghaboe Parish. 1S2 There is a convenient Index to each number
which sets'forth the names of the proprietors in ib40, the denominations,
the quality of the land and the number of acres. '■'•3 In the year 1667,
the Earl of Ormond made a lease of the rectories of Agliaboe,i84 Offer-
Ian, and Rathdowney from the 14th of January, 1603. for the re-
mainder of 200 years, to the Deans of Ossorv. Dr. Neylan, Protestant
Bishop of Kildare, died A.d. 1603 ; and his son, Daniel Nilan or Neylan,
was dean of St. Canice in 1667.1^5 The following list of Protestant
"9 See Rev. Edward Ledwich's "AiUi- in Daiiic Street, but unaccompanied by
quitics of Ireland," p. 511. notes or illnstrations. Wherefore it is
1=^0 See the Inquisition at Maryborough ahnust uinntellisible to a common
in 1657, given in Sir Chark^s Coote's reader ; for it requires an extensive and
" General View of the Agriculture and accurate l;nowledge of the civil and
?,Ianufactures of the Queen's County," political a Hairs at the time, and of
chap, i., sect. 3, p. 8."' ' Petty's personal history to ^ suiiply
1**! See pp. 509 to 515. either eiiicrtaining or uselul informa-
182 The relative position of the ad- tion. See Dr. I.edwich's " Antuiuities
joining parishes is also shown. of Ireland," p. 510.
i«3 This is called the Down Survey, as i8< The Rev. Dr. Ledwich adds.
Petty explains it in " Reflections on " Ware omits .\ghaboe in this grant, but
some Persons ?.nd Things in Ireland," it is, and always was, part of the^corps
p. 74, London, 1666. It was a measure- of the deanery, as I well know."
ment' of land by the chain and needle iss The chalice belonging to the church
of the mile in length, and not by the has this inscription, " Ex dono Ursuhe
thousand acres of superficial content. Carpenter, viduie Ichoschuhai Carpenter,
In other words the base of downs or hills nuper de Sigginstowne, in com. Kildare,
were only surveyed ; a method which armig ecc]esi;T? parochiali dc Aghaboe
be seems first to have used. Lord 14 IVIaii., 166^, Daniele Nilan, sac.
Chancellor Clare had the Down Survey Thcologia- doctore Rectore." The
iirinlL'fl at his own expense by Grueber, patten has only the word "Aghaboe"
i'AKi>ii ov \c.n\v,uE. 171
(Icrgviuen, coiiiiocted with the church ot AL;haboe, has bcou furnished
1)V the Rev. Dr. Ledwich ; and, it was taken, most probably, Irom the
n.uisli register or from some other record m his kecpmg :— The incum-
bent of Agliaboe, in iGb^, was John Cull; the incumbent of Aghaboe,
m 1670, was Thomas Hill ; the vicai- of Aghaboe, m i()74, was Ben-
lamm Parry; in 1675, the vicar of Aghaboe was John Poolev ; the
mcumbcnt of Aghaboe, in lOSO, was Willuim Whitehead. Ihe next
m order, after William Whitehead, appears to have been a rector
named Wilson, but no date is assigned for Ins incumbency. Imme-
fiiatrly alter him appears the name Arthur Lewelhn, without a date ; the
th>- vicar of Aghaboe, in 1744, was Thomas Carr.
In 175'), the Rev. Dominican Father and Brother James Williams
W1-; titular' Prior there— an excellent missionary, in the fortieth year of
1,1^ religious profession, and in the sixty-ninth year of his age. He
1 ibnmvd well among the poor Catholics of the p!ace.iS6 Towards the
.lo.cot the Penal Days, only a single Dominican friar, who had been
iiin^ferr. 1 fruni the convent of Burrishoole, in the County of Mayo,
hiiked 111 the neighbourhood of the deserted friary at Aghavoe. In
•hr v.- ir 17b' 1'^:' Bishop De Burgo, praising the beautiful site oi
\..liiv.>e d.Tlares, that the monastic walls and church there were
f uih- w.'il 1)1. M-rved, and presented evidences of a very fine architectural
• TDun 'n'l.-v wri- soon destined for the miserable spectacle they now
K.M lit and at the instance of their legal guardian. The former
,-,tv of '•\"hab(;e dwindled down to a village, consisting of about twenty
l-nu^r< and cabir.s. in the v-mis 17O2 ^^^^ and 1786; ^^9 and, at present,
not ..r.' -hrdl that number <>t hum in habitations adjaceiu to the ruins can
ll,- nuii:ib,:it ol .Adialioe. m 177-'. was h.dward Ledwich, the most
, .1.1,1 it.-,l .,! the rectors beloiuMiig to that church, and especially known
on .le. .ami .-1 his writings. This ^ceiii^ to have l)een the first 3;ear o. his
■ MM i" itio-i T' ere can liar<llv be a doubt, but that he took an intelhgent
',nt.'-i m th- v,.\iMc of lii>'parishion.'r.-,, and that he was desirous to
:„ote lu'lu.iu.d and economic advantages for them. He built an
|.,,..,,.,d hm-i.iln. and thus contributed to encourage tillage among
l',.s "-^i..- tl..-.>ind p.uishu.ncrs, the vastly great majority of whom
\s",-r k ••-, I". C.itb.Mhc farnurs, artisans or labourers. ]^y all of these
5,^.\ ,.|v !,,v, ! and respected, hviu- with them on friendlyterms,
i- I -s A l-v-e Ck". j.nMi.JV"^ To t! ■• cottagers' wives and daughters,
\^ahk- .•r'ri^•tou^ .vA of Dr. Drought, of Ballvgiheii, he gave at cliiterent
li'V.-. .'.'.vc .;.n) wooll.-:i or llax whe.ls and reels ; as he believed, that
lU-^- vv, :r t:.-.i.urcs to Uie indu>tiuai^, and superior to money donations,
v: c%.:i to wo. lien j^.irmeiits, as both of thr l.ttter were often misapplied.
.^,, ^-.U.v. !.r I,- l.uhon O.c - l-.u>.h ' ^ >- l^e-h,.;' ^^ B^"-^"'=^ " Hibernia
oi A^h^r.^.- u» W ilhAU. Sh.i-.v M. ■..-. Poinuucina. cap. ix., .tcl. xxx., bub.. 1.
•• <f •»• »'i<-j»l \<.c<>vi:it or I'.iri>\.l.!.il 1'.- v7' ^t-i
S^y'oilz^l^r- yoC\.. Mu:a. u.. |j ■'^^Scc Archdall's " Moaasticon Hiber-
^''\J'<^..^\...h.n. I..- H>ir,o-s •• H.l.cm.a "'VrihJrc Ts'au mtcivsUag memoir of
>A ni HM > ' K l-Mward Ledwich, written by
iMm.n.. ana, ^ .]'. .v . >-t. .xxx.. ^ub.. l^.;^^^;^ ^_^ ^^^^^^^,^ ^^ ^, ^^^ ^l^e "Diction-
^••.i'-fiu^'vcar m wh.di the - H>b.r,na ary of XaUoaal ^^^^-P^^;;' ^^^J^^^^i;
n.,:iuiucmi" W.U pi.bhshcJ. ostensibly, the bc:.mnmg by Lc.lie ^^^P^^^^^^- ^" '
o'i r' t..K--i.a.,;-. at ColoKue. bnt snr- afterwards coatmued by Sydney Let,
rrpuu.-u^ly at' Kilkenny. vol. xxxn., p. 340.
172 HISTORY OF THE QUEEN'S COUNTY.
•
[n his time, there were ten wooi-eonibcrs, tea stuff \vea\i'rs, twelve hneii
weavers, and forty-eight spinners, within his parish ; all carried on their
operations contemporaneously, while most of their manufactures were
used by the parishioners, yet there was an overplus of woollen yarn, spun
by the young females, who frequently wanted work. Still he complains
of the decay of local manufactures ; and he tells us, that the town of
Borris-in-Ossory, as indeed the whole parish, had been filled with combers,
spinners and weavers, before the jealous prohibition of exporting wool
and woollens to the continent had been promulgated by English Acts of
Parliament, in the reigns of Henry VIII., of Queen Eli/aljc th, and later
still in William III.'s time. The English House of Commons addressed
the Crown on this subject, in 1698 ; Acts were passed, and the exportation
of Irish wools was prohibited. This i-cducrd the nati(jn to grc-at distress,
and threw back the improvement of the country for at least a century.
Un obtaining the vic:irage, the Rev. Dr. Ledwich, in lieu of his tithes,
proposed to the parishioners his accejHance of one shUhng an acre,
although this should have lessened his income ; but, he flattered himself,
that he ought to have been compensated b}' the respect and regard of the
people. He deemed, also, it should be a mivans for securing harmony
between himself and those who were legally bound to pay the tithes. The
small and middling farmers, he declares, were quite willing to submit to
such an arrangement ; but the more opulent, who had CQusidcrable tracts
under dry cattle, and who were protected by the law of agistment,
passed in the Irish Parliament, refused the offer made by him.
By an Act passed in the Irish Parliament, in the nth and 12th years
of George III.'s reign, permission was given to establish Corporations
for the relief of the poor in each count}', with power to punish vagabonds
and sturdy beggars, while houses of indnstr}' might be built, when grand
juries granted sums of money for that purpose. Through the zeal and
industry of the Rev. Dean Coote,i9i he procured a house of industry
to be erected at Maryborough, and besides the county presentments,
he solicited subscriptions for its support. The Rev. Edward Ledwich,
then vicar of Aghaboe, lent him willing aid. The newly formed Queen 's
County Corporation adopted the idea, and sent circular letters to the
different parishes, requiring returns of two descriptions of the poor ;
the one class of persons, who was owing to age disabled from working,
and the other, who was willing to work had it the means. On the 22nd
May, 1775, the Rev. Edward Ledwich convened a vestry, and appointetl
a committee, consisting of sixteen respectabe parishioners, to inquire
into the state of the poor in their respective districts. Two of those
were to form a quorum. Accordingly, they prepared reports at another
vestry, held on the ist of June following. After due deliberation, their
reports were consolidated and forwarded to the Corporation in
Maryborough. 19-
i''i He lived in the present ruined and examine the reports of tlie parocliial
Castle of Coolbanagher, durint; the committees, the lollouiuy appeared to
eighteenth century. be the state of the poor in this parish : —
1"- The following return, regarded as First class, consisting of those who
iheir report on the poor, is here sub- through age and infirmities are unable
mitted : — to contribute to their own support, and
" Parish Church of Aghaboe, are therefore objects of charitable
'.' June 1st, 1775. benevolence, viz. John Austin and fifteen
" At a vestry held this day, to receive more; second class, who, though aged
PARISH OF AGlIAIiOi:. I73
In 1776, the Rev. Dr. Ledwich, — far in advance of the social and
economic ideas of liisday — preyiared a small pamphlet, as the first annual
Report of the Corporation, and it was ]^rinted in Kilkennw In this, he
(U'tailed provisions of the statute under which tin; Corporation acted, and
f^Mve an account of their proceedings, with observations on ])rovision for
th(" ])(>iir, during; the flourishing periods of Greece and Rome. He
also glanced in it at the state of the j^oor in Ireland from the reign of
King Henry \'1II. to subsequent periods. However, it was found that
thi- scheme in contemplation did not work satisfactorily, and the Grand
jury of the Queen's County, learning that England was already heavily
burthened b\' its annual poor-rates, feaicd to countenance a project
which might lead to the introduction of poor laws for Ireland. They
flfclined supporting the House of Industry, — although admirably devised
to encourage work, and to suppress pauperism — ■ so that the institution
b(H)n ceased to exist, and thus were frustrated the benevolent desires
of the projector.
The following is a description of the Abbey as it appeared in 1786.^93
The west and south windows were handsome Gothic work ; the church
was one hundred feet in length, and twenty-four in width. It had
three windows to the south, one to the east, and one at the west.i94
That to the east was ramified, the western door had concentric arches,
and the walls of the abbey were not ornamented. ■• In the centre, to
the; scnith was a small oratory or building, called Phelan's Chapel, and
ii was divided from the church by an arch, resting on a pillar of solid
masonry. Between the east windows of this chapel was a pedestal,
a hove the altar, intended for a statue. ^95 Under it was a stone, hollowed
and shaped like an inverted cone, with eight grooves, supposed to be
for holy water. To the present writer it appears to have been
a piscina. A door in the north side led into a quadrangle of sixty
feet ; the cells for the friars, usually ten in number, lay to the east,
and opposite thereto was the kitchen, with apartments for servants and
necessary officers ; the cellars were large, and over them was the prior's
apartment, measuring forty-six feet by seventeen. At the end of
this was a bed-chamber, seventeen feet square. Whether or not this
l.irge room was the refectory could not be determined. The last vicar '9^
and predecessor of the Rev. Etiward Ledwich in the parish demolished
.•md sickly, are willing to work had they county proceed as they have bcnim,
the means and materials, \'iz., John honesty and industry will be estaMirilied
DUlon and seven more. The com- in the jilace of pilfering and idleness,
nuttee beg leave to observe tliat, and the execution ot the statute will
alarmed al the inquiries now set on jiiove a blessing to this [uiri^h as well
loot, many sturdy beggars who m- a--> to the count)-,
cumbered tlu- parish and intercepted " Edward Licdwich, \'icar.
charity Irom real objects, ha\'c either " Da.n'ILL Lauloi^, "1 Cliurch-
witlidrawn to other parts ur t.ii.eii "William Cu.nnuk, J wardens."
themselves to labour, as they nnd '"^ See .Vrchdall's " .Monasticon lliber-
both the Corporation and parialuonerb nicum." \j\i. 569, 590.
are determined to enforce the statute. 1^* This description had been originally
The committee further remark that, i>repared for Archdall's work by the I'lev.
since stocks have been erected in Ldward Ledwich.
Ai;haboe, and a resolution made public ^'■'^ On this, the Rev. Edward Ledwich
of punishing strange and sturdy ijeg^.u.-.. sui'<pc.aes the statue of St. Canice stood,
not one has appeared lor some lime ; .-^o and he ^ays there ixre two tabernacles,
tli.u the m0.1t sanguine hopes are en- ^'■'"^ lie had the fee of the land and the
ten. lined that if the ( nrp' ii.itiun of the a<i\-i)v. n( .n.
174 iiisTOKY OF THE quken's county. ^
much of the buikimg, and made use of the materials to enclose a
demesne. 197 Originally there was a fueplace at the south end, and a
stone staircase made a communication with the church and cellars. A
very interesting copper-plate drawing of the old ruins at Aghaboe ni
1792, when they were nuich more perfect than at present, may b<-
found in Grose's " Antiquities of Ireland." '9^ This south-east aspect
was drawn by Lieutenant Daniel Grose. ^99
The festival of St. Canice is still celebrated, on the V. of the Ides
—corresponding with the nth of October -^'Jt._which is stated also to
have been the date for his death, at Aghaboe.-oi During the eighteenth
century, on that day, crowds of persons came from all the neighbouring
parishes to celebrate his memory ; but, owing to tlie abuses which pre-
vailed at these patrons — as they have been called — their meetings were
chscountenanced by tire Cathohc bishop and i)riests. At St. Canice's
Well, in Rev. Dr. Ledwich's orchard at Aghaboe, the pedlars were
accustomed to lay down their packs and to say their praycts. About
a quarter of a mile from the town was a group of thorn bushes,203
where the ])oor people performed their devotions ; but the Rector
very ignorantly assumes, that these were heathen practices, derived
from the earliest ages. -^"3
The denominations of the townlands, with their respective number
of acres and the names of their proprietors, as the'se stood in 1796,
were contained in the Vestry Book of the parish.204 The vicar of
I'''' See William Sliaw Mason's " Statis-
tical Account or Parochial Survey of
Ireland," vol. i., No. II. Description
of the "' Parish of Aj^haboe." by the Rev.
Kdwanl Ledwich, LL.D., pp. 3S, 3Q.
I'-'s See vol. ii., p. 30. The descriptive
article was writtL-n \>y the Kev. Edward
I.cdwich.
i-'-' In Kev. Edward Ledwich's "Anti-
quities of Ireland," there is a distinct
view of the ruins at Aghaboe, as the\'
appeared towards the close of the eigh-
teenth century, with a description ; see
[)p. 509 to tI5, Second edition.
206 At tliis date it is found, in the
" Martyrologies of Tallaght and of
Donegal."
201 See the Marquis of Urmond s
"Vita S. Kanechi," p. 46.
2U2 Xo these we have already made
allusion.
2o:i See Rev. Edward Lcdwicli's paper,
on the " Parish of Aghaboe," in Wilham
Shaw Mason's " Statistical Account cjr
Parochial Survey of Ireland," vol. 1.,
No. ii., sect. iv. pp. 41. 4--
2u* Tliese are given as an Ai)pendix to
the Paper of the Rev. Edward Ledwich,
LL.D., and they are also to be found
in his " Antiquities of Ireland," pp. 512,
qi3, as here given: — The following town-
lands belonged to the Chandos (Duke of
Buckingham) familv : viz. Shanbough,
z')4.a.; Borros (Borris), 600 ci. ; Der-
rieenshinagh, 257 a. ; Dunmunne and
Monesat, 2^7 a. ; Curra,'.;limore, 8 a. ;
Barnasallagh, So a. ; Cappagh, iz},ii.;
Kilebeg anil Derreen Oliver, 171 «.;
Knockaroe, 49 «.; Ardvarney, 34 «.;
(".raiigemore, 1 1 1 rt.; Grangebeg and
two Ballynlies, 270 rt.; Ballybrophy,
276 rt.; Kilcotton, 219 rt.; Kiiockamullen,
96 rt.; Derreensollogh, 00 a. The
fciUowing townlands belonged to Lord
ll]>per fjssory, ■ — Knockamullen, 96 «.;
Kiliiuinfoyle, 103 .(.; Uklglass and
Clonkinahanmorc, 250 rt.; Park, 50 rt.;
Ballvcolla, 50 rt.; Newtown, SJ a.; Bally-
henode, 50 r(.; Kilctelague, 160 a. The
following townland belonged to Sir
I'.rasmus Burrowes, Bart. — Mahernas-
kagh, 125 rt. The following townland
belonged to Richard Grace, Esq. —
Lismore, 60 rt. The following town-
lands beloii-eil : Carran, to Thos. Carr,
Esip, Carroreig, to Robert Stubber,
Esq. Carran and Carroreigh, 6S0 a.
The following townland belonged to the
Vicar of Aghaboe, Keilagh Glebe, 157 rt.
The following townlands belonged to
Thomas Carr, Esq. — .\ghaboe and
Frier's Land, 445 a.; Cross, 148 a.
The following belonged to Lord Mount-
morres, Gurtnaclea, and its members,
487 rt. The following belonged. Part
to the Dean of Ossory, and Part to the
Vicar, Earran-Eglish Glebe, 65 a. The
following belonged to John Rotton
Esq., Boherard, 215 a. The following
belonged to Earl .\nneslev, Coolbally,
rA:.i<ii OF Ai.HAiioi:.
175
\i-hil...- in itm;, w.i. John Mmui-.. Nr.ir ihc church of Ayhaboc were
M.nic l.uul.. cl.tniiU!^ rv.n-ntmn ii-m titl,.-, alunit the iK'-inning of the
hht <tiitr.iv. A- .1 tnii-.u^ ui>t,iiicc, lilu-tratiiiL,' the manner of
,"-. !.••.: ."• tl.':-^ Mrv u:.] cji-.! u i:!r,H..t. . \v.> wnr hr(Hi,!;ht to >ean there
Ii.'.-ii V.i!.' : !,.-.'i^. ..:■ 1 !■> til'--- niL;vni'.Ms d.Ai.r tlie payment of tithes
•A v*>' !■ K.'illv rv.i.'.' ■! In sl.o uninediate iiri-hl'ourhood of the ruins,
tlor >.r.i!j'.i:li!u.i.«r»% -J-.'ir.t .! moun.l oi u ihitteneJ cone hhape. .Murounded
I's A i'- "> V:}d ciKiUi'-d waU r<-ni.uns ot a wall on the tnj..-"'^ At some
U><A l).\% u the Kath ul I.aia dr the Moat of Monacoglilan, a
v.: ;. <•! -.Ouch. \Mtl» Its icm. likable circumvallations, is given
\>: I.rd«:vh in a oopi-Lr-jilate engraving.'«<>
/;l o!h«-: atifjonl i>'H> were in the i)arish of Aghaboe ; and
.,..-, ^,i vc,;t;r crcN-iaMical ruins besides those on the townland (jf
'\t''> j.ulr i-vf Ort a 5^auiiiulandan rlevated site are only to be seen a trace
l.i'llr <'M i..i::alat!ons of Kiu)ckserra, with graves surrounding it.-"^
li-nJi^ Jj'ic Hous<- and Demesne of l.ismore there is a ruined church
4->.i' tmrjal-Kiouiu!.-'-"' On Kildellig townland, there is a church in
rmt* \\'A)un a i^u\\c\aTi\.-'° Within Farraneglish Glebe, there is also
*4 ci.iitvh jn rui!!^.-"' On Coolkerry townland there are remains of a
H'T.cd cl.iu<-h as also of a castle.^i- The remains of Gortnaclea Castle
\rl njuv U- seen beside the River Gully.-i3 The town of Borris-m-
O-s^TV hci within this parish, on the south-bank of the Iviver Noie.^i-i
1 h«- G'reat Southern and Western Kailway passes near it, having a station
It H.tihbroi-hv. A weeklv market is held in the village, which consists
1,1 one long street. Formerly the Fitzl'atricks erected a castle here,
..n.l in ruu'.s it is yet an imposing object. A recently-l)uilt Protestant
thiiuli of Irish- Romanesque design, with a round tower for a beltrv
ilt'ichcd i in tlie town. There is a court-house, a police station and a
di.s'K-nsary in the town, while Quarter and Petty Sessions are
thr're summoned. Fairs are held on the 25th of January, the 21st of
M iich the 31st of May, the 24th of June, the 15th of August, the nth
of Uctober, the 21st of November and the 20th of December.^iS
\bout iSiS' the church was enlarged or partly rebuilt, and the Board
("rf First Fruits granted a loan of £500 for that purpose. The same board
mvc ^I'^o to build the glebe-house, and a loan of £i,35o. There were
:f;.,ii. The following belonged to Lord
Movintr.Uh, Palmer's Hill, 106 a. The
• ollowniL,' bclon;;ed to Robert Stubbc/,
llbii., Ucligibawn, Go a. Tlie foUowm-
b'rloi'iL;ed to Peier La Touche, Esq.,
rcK^rcijili. and Tereragh, 37 a. Baunoge,
-o a. The following belonged to Henry
(•.rattan, Esq., Ballygowdenraore iSS a.
Tlie f<jll<)wing belonged part to Henry
C.raltan. Esq.. Part to Dr. Draoght.
IViUyt'ihen and its Members, 1430 a.
l he' following belonged to — Despard,
ICs*!., I.nrah, 50 «.; Garryduffe, 12, rt.
The 'following belonged to Lord Por-
tarlington, Knocldin, I79 «• ^'^^
loUowmg belonged to Gerald Pitz-
Gerald, Esq. Kiloneseer and Clonkma-
hanbeg. .;4y '(. The following belonged
to the' Parson of Killerniogh. Bally-
garvin. Hon. Besides CooUin, 36a.,
onuiled since 176S.
20a See " The National Gazetteer,"
vol. i., p. 31.
2"s See his " Antiqnities of Ireland."
207 Besides the old J3ominican Abbey
ruins, Aghaboe House, as also the
Rectory not far distant, are shown on
the " Ordnance Survey Townland Alaps
for the Queen's County," Sheet 22.
2o« See ibid.
20a See ihid.
210 See ibid.
211 See ibid.. Sheet 23.
212 See ibid., Sheet 28.
213 See iiid:, Sheet 23.
2" It is shewn on the "Ordnance
Survey Townland Maps for the Queen's
County," Sheets 21. 22.
21^ See " The National Gazetteer,"
vol. i., p. 315.
' 218 See Lewis's "Topographical Dic-
tionarv of Ireland," vol. i., p. 11.
lyb HISTORY OF THE QUEEN'S COUNTY.
ft
two glebes— comprising altogether 1S5 acres— in this parish, :ind belonging
to the vicaragc.-i6 In '1837 the tithes of this parish amounted to
^^789 4s. 7°d.^ of which amount ;^526 3s. id. was payable to the dean
and the remainder to the vicar. The vicarial tithe composition in 1846
was £263 IS. 6M., glebe, £277 4s. 4d.; the gross income was £540 5s. 10 ^d.
nett, /^ei i8s. 5 id.— the patron being the Rev. George Carr.217 In
1831 the population of this parish was 6,198, and it increased to 6,310
in 1841.-^^ Since these times, it has greatly diminished hi number.
CHAPTER VIL— Parish of Arc-.uMACART.
This parish is situated about four miles west of Castle Durrow ; formerly
it was in the Barony of Upper Ossory, but now it is in that of Clarmallagh.
It contains 9,600 a. 3 r. 5 p^ The ancient name of this place was
Achadh-mic-Airt, rendered the Field of the Son of Art, by Dr. John
0'Donovan,2 ^yho places its old ruined church, however, in the Barony of
(ialmoy. County of Kilkenny, but on tlie borders of the Queen's County.
The name of this parish is found written Aughmacart, and also Augha-
macart.3 There an abbey is said to have been founded aljout the year
550.4 It is stated, that the O'Dempsies 5 founded a priory on the ancient
site for Canons Regular of St. Augustine, and it is said to have been
placed under the invocation of St. Tighernach,^ John O'Donovan very
justly suspects that O'Dempsey, whose country was at least twenty-live
miles distant, was not the founder of this priory, but that its erection
should rather be ascribed to MacGiolla Patrick, Lord of Ossory.7 There
is no record of its original erection, or list of its abbots.^ A fine square
tower, used for a Ix'liry, with some portions of tlic walls and passages into
the vaults, are still to "be seen.9 A few hundred yards to the eastward of
the priory, the massive tower of the Fitzpatnck's former castle may be
noticed ; while the monastic and military ruins lurm doubly picturesque
objects to the eye of a visitor.
A village or town seems to have been here hciore the middle of the
twelfth century, for, in the year 1156, the Annals of the Four Masters ^'^
record the burning of Achadh-mic-Airt. The priory here paid £2
annually to the Bishop of Ossory for proxies. It was the burial-place
for the "Fitzpatricks, lords of the barony.ii On the loth of April, in the
21 ■ See " Parliamentary Gazetteer of "^ See his communication dated Mount-
Ireland " vol i p. 14. rath, November aStli, 183S, m "Letters
213 See ffc/i. pTi3. containing Information relative to the
1 It is defined on the " Ordnance Antiquities of the Queen's County
Survey Townland ]\laps for the Queen's collected during the Progress _ of the
County." Sheets 2S, 29, 34, 3 ^- Ordnance Survey in 1S3S, vol. 1., p. 94-
2 See his edition of " Annals of the ^ See tbuL, p. 95- .
Four Masters," vol. ii., p. 1119. n. (y). » There is a rude wood engraving of
:' See " Parliamentary Gazetteer of these from a drawmg made by Lieu-
Ireland," vol. 1., p. 109. tenant Daniel C. Grose for the ' Irish
*Such is the statement of Archdall. Penny Magazine of Dec. 7th, 163^.
who quotes Conry, as an authority, in A description accompanies this sketch.
the " Monasticon Hibernicum," p. 59i. See voL 1 No 49, PP- 3S5. 3^<-\
and n (z) '^'^^ ^^- 1°^^"^ O'Donovan s edition,
5 According to Alemande, " Histoire vol. ii., pp. 1 1 iS, 11 19. . _^
Monastique d'Irlande," p. 37S. '' See the " Irish Penny Magazine,
6 See Harris "Ware," vol. ii., "Anti- vol. 1., No. 49, p. 3>^5- . . ^
quities of Ireland," chap, xxxviii., p. 264. ^^ Said iu Grose's "Antiquities o.
sOIMll \'Ii:\\' Ol ACiH.MACAkT PRIORY.
■ I \' .rn ( 11. .-c"^ . I/:.'; ■////:'■ ., 1 "ill."
Scf pai^e I 70.
PARISH OF AUGIIMACAKT. ' I77
43rd year of Queen Elizal)cth's reign a grant was made to Florence
Fitzpatrick of this priory, with the aj)purtenances and the tithes of corn
and hay ; also the rectory of Aghaniacart, with the tithes of Cowlhill.'^
together with the monastery of Aghaboe/3 and the rectory of Cowlkerry,i4
parcel of the monastery of St. Thomas, near Dn! )lin, at the annual rent
of £23 8s. 2d., the rectories of Aghenmaghe, without the alterages, at the
annual rent of 26s. 8d.; Aghtert, alias Cirke, 13s. 4d., besides tlie alterages;
and the rectory of Kelline,i5 at the annual rent of /lo ; to hold the
same m fee-farm. ^^ Killeny is said^'' to have been situated in Upper
Ossory ; but, if so, we cannot find any corresponding name for a
jiarish there at the present time. Yet, in this parish there are two
townlands, named respectively Killenny Beg or Knocknagrally, con-
taining 130 rt. 3;-. ^3/>., and Kilenny More or Toberboc, containing
621 a. I r. iSj>. ; ^^ these probably forming the old rectory. We are
told, however, that the living was worth, in 1640, £15 per annum.
In i()57 it had eleven townlands and a parsonage impropriate, with a
vicarage belonging to the church. Then it was worth £47 ])er annum,
and it was held under letters patent. The vicarage was worth £23 per
annum, and the whole was set at £"14 for the use of the Common-
wealth. In an old document, taken at Maryborough, in the ninth
yeari9 of Queen Elizabeth's reign, and dated June r7th, it is stated
that at the death of Rory O'More -o himself ancl his father ^i had from
MacGilpatricke on mortgage, '' Killcnye for nyne score marks." This
seems to be the Killenye to which the foregoing statement refers; --
while the chieftain of Leix, to whom allu-^ion is made, must have
been Rory Caech or '• the one-eyed," as he is styled by the Four
Masters, and who is spoken of -3 a- having been recently dead in I54f\
After this period, the territories of Leix and Offaly were oppressed by
the English, while their chiefs, Gilla-Patrick O'More and Brian O'Conor,
who had risen in arms to oppose them, were obliged to flee for
jirotection into Connaught, in 1547.-4 Aghmacart had 22 acres and 79
jierches of glebe, in the year 1657.25 In 1745, Ephraim Dawson, Esq., was
the assignee of its lands. ^6 It contained fifteen townlands, and it was an
impropriate vicarage, worth £91 in the year 1640. The jiarsonage, church,
Ireland " to have been Cow-hill or now named Kylespiddoge, in Moyanna
Cullan-hill. Parish.
' ' To this we have already alluded in 21 Connell McMelaghlin O'More.
the jireceding article. ^- Mr. Thomas O'Couor wrongly sup-
^* Now Coolkerry. poses it has relation to Killeany Pan^^ir
IS Or Kiiline. near the great heath of Maryborough, in
"^ According to the Auditor-General's his letter, dated Stradbally, December
Accounts. 6th, 1S38, in "Letters containing Infor-
1^ In Sir Charles Coote's "General rnation relative to the Antiquities of the
View of the Agriculture and Manufac- Queen's County, collecteil during the
tures of the Queen's County," chap, i., Progress of tiie Ordnance Survey m
sect. 3, pp. 7, 8. l^i^," vol. i., i>p, 183, 1S4.
1'* They are shown on tlie '' Ordnance -'By Walter Cnwlev.
Survey Townland Maps for the Queen's -■* See Dr. (J)'l )>iiiiivairs " .'Vnnals of the
Connty," sheet 75. Four Masters," vul. v., i)p. 1500, 1501.
ly The regnal years of Queen Elizabeth -^ See Sir. Charles CuoIl-'s "General
are dated from November 17th, 1558. View of \\\v .Agriculture and Manu-
See Sir Harris Nicolas' ''Chronology factures of the (Uiecii's County," chap, i.,
of History," p. 338. This year, there- sect. 3, p. 7.
fore, should be 15OS. -"^ See l[arri->'s Ware, vol. ii., "Anti-
20 He was killed at a place called quities of Ireland," chap, xxxviii.,
Killnesperokye — probably the townland p. 2('>^.
N
I7S UrSTORY OF THE QUEEX's COUNIY.
ft
and monastery, in this parish, were then totally demolished. The parish,
not being two miles long, had no minister. Its jxitronage was vested
in Lord Upper Ossory and in Florence Fitzpatrick, Esq. This noble
family held the right of advowson to Aghmacart, Cahir, Killine, and
Coolkerry ; the church presentment resting in the Earl of Upper Ossory,
even when th.e parish itself became the property ot the Right Hon. the
Earl of Portarlington.-/
Several ruins of the old building yet remain. They stand on a
gentle eminence in the midst of a rich and well-cultivated country.-''^
A gate at the entrance, with a well-turned arch of good workmanship,
is a remarkable feature, with stone sockets for the gate to move in.
Through the attention and care of the Right Rev. Dr. Pococke, whilst
he presided as Protestant Bishop in the See of Ossory, a part of these
ruins were repaired, and were used as the parish church. -9 In the
townland of CuUohill in this parish are the ruins ot an old castle, about
ninety feet in height, which tradition supposes to have belonged to the
Butlers. 30
The living of Aughmacart was a vicarage, in the diocese of Ossjry,
Ferns and Leighlin, and with the vicarages of Cahir and Killcen, it was
united episcopally and by act of council ; 3i the rectory became im-
propriate to the Fitzj^atricks. In 1837, the titlies of the union amounted
to ^466 13s. 4d. of which /300 was payable to the impropriators and
the remainder to the vicar. '1- In 1S31, the population of this parish
was 3,373 ; in 1S34, the Protestants of Aughmacart were 107 in number,
the Roman Catholics, 2,171 ; while in 1841, the united population was
3.667. The houses were 858.33
CHAPTER \TII.— Parish of Akdea or Ardrka.
The area of Ardca or Ardrea parish, in the barony of Portnahinch,
is estimated at 7,726 a. ^ It contains a part of the town of ]\Iountmellick,
and the village of Irishtown. It lies along the road leading from Mary-
borough to Monasterevan, and it is nearly midway between these towns.
Also the road from iMountmellick to Monasterevan passes through it,
each being about five miles distant. The Triogue River runs through
it northwards to where it joins the Barrow. A branch of the Grand
Canal leads through it from Monasterevan to Mountmellick. The
27 See the " Irish Penny Magazine," ^o Sce Archdall's " Monasticon Hiber-
vol. i., No. 49, p. 3^6. nicum," p. 591.
2** Towards the end ot" 1833, Liqu- ^'^ See Jolm O'Donovan's communi-
tenant Daniel C. Grose adds that it rose cation already quoted, p. 95.
"by degrees uito hills covered with ^i -phe vahie of this living was /210
crops of grain, waving in rank luxuriance in the patronage of the Ladies Fitz-
interspersed with dark green fields of patnck who lived in Aghmacart Cottage.
Ireland's favourite root, the potato ; See " The National Gazetteer," vol. i.
relieved at intervals by the more lively p. 33-
tint of the gracefully bending flax, with '^- See Lewis's " Topographical Dic-
here and there a jxi'tch of bog, the deep tionary of Ireland," vol. i., p. 93.
purple of its surface forming a striking •" Sce " Parliamentary Gazetteer of
contrast to the variegated green that Ireland," vol. i., pp. 109, no.
covers the upland, the meadows, and » Its extent is defined on the " Ord-
the pasture." — " Irish Penny Magazine," nance Survey Townland Maps for the
vol. i.. No. 49, p. 385. Queen's County," Sheets 4, 7, 8.
r.VKISII OK AKDKA OK AKDKliA.
179
>itcs ol old churches autl of a friary arc markrd uii Uic (Jrchiaiicu Survey
maps as beiut; within the bouiuis of ArcU-a ])arish.- Yet it is not
!<H-all\- known In' the name as a distinct parish, it l)ein,!L( mer^'ed
at jncsent in that of Coolbana^-her. 'ihe sod is fertile in i)art, although
a con-^iderable portion of it is under boi,^ and niarslies. In the northern
part of this parish, and to the south of the River Barrow, is the towidand
<>! IN.rtnahinch, which gave name to the whole of the Barony.3 As its
KtiL'li'.h equivalent means " the island-fort," it seems likely" that there
ha'l I'cen a fort or castle here on the I'arrow in former times, although
nu race or tradition regarding it now remains. 1
This i)arisli — also written Ardee — was usually included under that of
CrKilbanau'lier. and the same Protestant incumbent had charge of both.
'I he gleIi<diouse,5 built in 1700, and the church were in the Ardee dis-
ir;ct, while tlu' crown was ri'jmted the patron. In 1S04, the Rev.
Kcbrit X'lcars was the incumbent,^ and this year Ardea or Ardrea was
i::iitrd with C<M)lbanagher, the tithes amounting to ^^276 iSs. ^Id. per
.ii.iiuin. The extent of the union, as applotted under the Tithe A"ct, was
15.7'.; statute acres; while the tithes for the whole amounted to ;^536
'- I'd. prr annum. The Protestant cliurch was erected at the expense
ol .1 lormer Karl of Portarlington, and it stamls on the summit of an
< inuicnce, not far from the southern extremit\- of this uyion. The \'illage
"' I'.ino lies within it, and there, a \-er\' handsome Catholic church in the
(iotiiic st>-le has I'ccn latel\- erected. The recumbent hgure of the
Counters of PurtailiiiL^ton, c>n her marble altar-tomb withm it, is a
liiuih a'i::.ired wcjrk ol sculptural art.
hi tb,-i p.in-.!i .ue -.-v'rral remains of aini(]uit\'. The venerable
n:I;!^ *.l >h,in'- «r Sh- h.in Ca-tli - lormerlx' called Sion — are to be seen.
T'.}-. was :1..- l.r.ul <ji a mane'r in i;,07, and it was in possession of Sir
Ku^-.M P;v-t..:i. It wa.s sei/.. d m 10.41 by the Irish Confederates, but
;;» 0.'- t'.UoAij,,^ \r.ir. it was taken liDm them bv Sir Charles Coote.
o.st-n K<-<- O'Ncjli .u-.:'.u took JK)^^' -loll (A it in ib46, but, it was finally
-tjiic:, Icic'l to ("'.I..:.,;, lleUhon and Reynolds in 1650. These de-
tU'.-Iishc! tJir o':t-w..:ks am! only lelt the walls as thcv now ap])ear on a
l;Ji <>:.:. A l.:ii I>aMr.i:the eighteenth centur\-, the old castle had
Uvn rr.«-4i:ir..l I'V K< v. Dean CckjIc, who converted it into a very
j:ir,i,v4ti: trwikjac." J >:» Inirkiil townlaiid is shown the site of an old
..A^?lc, *!;'.: uj a to'.rrjiM.^st.itc of prcservation.lt apj^earson the old Ma]i
*A I *xx A:v:i < »p!i.Jy, Jiud tu t)ic South-west of it there is a church marki'd
K-:;*>(SA'. * Ihr ciitU- of T;nckill9 was tenanted by the MacDonnells
tn !'•/<• ^c'tcr.Ui-tnU c-ffuury. an.j the interior presents lllu:^trations of
» l?-e -,.i:t.;. ..{ Aj.I"c f,' as wri'.tta- • In I'.irlnaliinch townlan.l there is
.\jaiTA. Xl..it ictvco ..ts ll.r aul!;^;uy ui an -.M Lhurch in ruins, within Portna-
«^r Ho-ukc oi C. ::•.••:. :;•> ruj.iilati.ii huu h IIoiisc deiiicbne.
K'?tira» lu* t»j|. u l:!c:ly <lc-»cj;t>cd bv » The (.jlcbc cunii.nsed 26V acres
I?. •;:.v« o-O .:!,■» m a letter .Jatoi « Sc-c- John C. Hrcl^'s " Ecclesiastical
S!»A^!>ally. IVtfi;,l.rr. yiL. !' 56 m Kt^istcr lor Ireland, 1827," p. 103.
••I.«:tr.'» c.,!itj,ini:n; In!..ri:ij;i.4i rr- ' ^^ee Lewis's " Toi^graphical Diction-
Unvc to the AntLjijitio >A the Outt- n's ary ot Ireland," vol. i.
<"<-mntv v-ll'-ctoj dunn< the l'u<^t:--i " Mr. O'Conor couhl not identify the
k4 the <)f-!:Kiiue Survey in liJjs." latter with any of those old churches
v.'l. I j-ji i.>.- to ir>5. mentioned, nor with any name or
»lh;» j-i >howa on the " Ordnaiue feature in the i)arish of Ardea. Perhaps
>u:vcv _I..wnL\nd Maps for the Ouecn's he says, it may be one of the churches
< ounty." Sheet 4- which ha\ in- K,st its ancient appellation
iSo HISTORY OF THE OUEEN's COUXTV.
former masonry. Access to the roof is by a winding stone stairs, which
enables the visitor to see from the top battlements over a flat extent of
country. The ruined castle of Moret, on a gentle elevation and formerly
possessed by the Fitzgeralds, is yet to be seen.i" Its owners shared in
some of the troubles of warfare, carried on in the seventeenth century.
Several churches were formerly within this parish, now onlv to be
traced by their ruins.' ^ Thus on the townland of Acragar is a ruined
church locally known as the Ivy Chapel — doubtless, because the walls
have been covered with ivy — and a much resorted grave-yard surrounds
it. The ruins of a church are on the Commons of New Church. There is
a Friary site in ruins on Kilmainham townland. Within Ardea, there
was an old church now in ruins on Dangan's townland. An old burying-
place is in Killeen townland. ^~ Moreover, in the Ecclesiastical Taxation
of Ireland, 1302-6, there was a church at iMoyrett, valued at 100 shillings,
the Tenth of which was 10 shillings ; "i l)ut no trace of its site is now
known. The vicarage being rated for only 30 slullings did not come
within the limit of taxation. '4
In 1841, the population of this parish was 5,1^5, and li\-iiig in (S45
houses. The inhabitants of the rural districts were in number 3,()03;,
and living in 594 houses. Ardrea was a rectory charged in the King's
Books at jTio 3s. io^d.,i5 and it was a quoad civilia parish included in the
ecclesiastical parish of Coolbanaghcr '<J
CHAPTER IX. — P.vKiSH of Att.'Wagh.
The parish of Attanagh, which is situated parllv in the Barony of
Clarmallagh in the Queen's County, i but chiefly m that of Fassadinning
m the County of Kilkenny,- lies to the south-east of Castle Durrow.
The lands within it arc well cultivated, and tolerably fertile. There was
a tradition regarding an old church having been within its bounds ; but
there seems to be nothing of antiquarian interest at present. 3 On the
west the parish is touched by the River Nore, and south-westerly it is
traversed by one of that river's affluents.
iiow goes by the modern name of the County collected during the Progress
Ivy Church. See " Letters containing of the Ordnance Sur\-ey in 1S38,"
Information relative to the Antiquities vul. i., p. 193.
of the Queen's County collected during i- All the foregoing sites arc shewn on
the Progress of the Onlnance Survey the " Ortlnance Survey Townland INIaps
in 1S3S," vol. i., p. 194. for the Queen's County," Sheet 8.
'* It is shown on the " Ordnance '^ i^^^e " Calendar of Documents re-
Survey Townland Maps for the Queen's kiting to Ireland preserved in Her
County," Sheet 8. Majesty's Public Record OOice, London,
1" The reailer may find some humo- 1302-1307," Edited by the late H. S.
rously sicetched reminiscences of this old Sweetman, B.A., Trin. Coll., Dubhn,
castle and its occupants in Sir Jonah M.R.L.V., Barrister-at-law, and con-
Barrington's " Personal Sketches and tinned by Gustavus Frederick llandcock
Kecolleclions of his own Times." See oi the Public Record Ollice, p. -48.
the chapter headed " Elizabeth Fitz- The editors have identilietl the place
gerald." with Morett, in the Banjny of Portna-
11 These are noticed by Thomas hmch. Queen's County. See p. 247.
O'Conor in a communication, dated, 1* See ibid.
Stradbally, December, 8th, 183S, in is 5^;^. " Parliamentary Gazetteer of
" Letters containing Information re- Ireland," vol. i., p. 64
lative to the Antiquities of the Queen's ^^ See ibid., p. 497.
r0-^^^->^>Mg4
:-^•i!^
f^jv;,tJp-''
PARISH OF RALLY ADA MS.
iSl
In the Protestant arrangement this parish was a vicarage in tlie
Diocese of Ossory, Ferns and Leighhn ; 4 and with the vicarage of
Aharney and the rectories of Kilmenan and Rosconnell it constituted
the benefice of Attanagh. Before the Disestabhshment the vicarial tithes
were compounded for £46 3s. id.; the rectorial tithes were appropriate,
Init their value is not stated. The gross income was £^41 Os. 3^1.;
the nett, £4^0 8s. yd. The diocesan was jxitron. Tlie church, situated
in Attanagh was built in 1S21, by means of a loan of ;^73S 9s. 2jd. from
the Board of First Fruits. 5 At Balyouskel in this parish was a Roman
Catholic chapel of ease, attended by from 730 to 750 worshippers, and
served by the priests living at 13allyragget. In 1834 the Protestants of
Attanagh parish amounted to 6.S, while the Roman Catholics numbered
721''.
CHxAPTER X. — Parish of Ballyadams.
The Parish )i Ballyadams has given name to the barony, in which it
is situated ; ^ but it also extends, in a lesser proportion of area, into
the adjoining Barony of Stradbally.^ This place is written Baile Adam,
when reference is made to it in a.d. tS4^^-^ According to Jphn O'Donovan,
the Irish name is resolvable into Adam's town, or bally, or residence ; 4
but we have no account regarding the Adam from whom its name has
been received. 5 There is a considerable portion of good land aralile,
with some bog and woodland, within this parish.
At present this district includes an ecclesiastical parish, formerly
called Ballintuboert or Ballintobbcr, also designated Fonstown ; but,
as both ]:)arishes have been long consolidated into one benefice, and as
their respective limits cannot now be exactly ascertained, it becomes
necessary to treat the civil and social condition of this union under the
heading of Ballyadams. <^ However, its original bounds seem to be
'' Tliis jiortion coiitainini; 630 «. 2 r.
14/5. is shown on the " Ordnance Survey
Townland Maps for the Queen's County,"
Sheets 29, 35.
- 'I'liis luirium containing; 1,93017. Or.
2g p. is sliown on the " (Ordnance Survey
Townland Maps for tlie County of
Kilkenny," Sheets 1, 4, 5.
3 Such is the statenunt of John
■O'Donovan, Avho dismisses it with a
brief notice in a letter dated Mounlralh,
November 20th, 183S, in " Letters
containing; Information relative to the
Antiquities of the Queen's County col-
lected during the Proj^ress of tlie
Ordnance Survey in 163.S," vol. i.,
pp. 102, 103.
•» See " The National Gazetteer,"
vol. i., p. 124.
''It containetl sittincjs for 150, while
the average attendance varied from
40 to 80.
" The Protestants of the l^iion
amounted to 115, and the Roman
Catholics to 3,967, at that time. See
" Parliamentary Gazetteer of Ireland,"
vol. i., p. lOi.
' This parish is shown on the " Ord-
nance Survey To^s•nIand Majis for the
(Uieen's Comity," Sheets 19, 20, 25, 2(>.
This portion ccjntaiiis 6,313^/. 2r. 19/?.
- This portion only comprises 395^.
iy. 1/5.
^ See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of
the Four Masters," \-ol. v., pp. 1496,
1497. and n. (t).
■• See " Letters containing Informa-
tion relative to the Antiquities of the
Queen's County, collectetl during tlie
Progress ui the Ordnance Survey in
1S3S," \'ol. ii. Letter of John
O'Donovan. dated Carlow, December
15th, 1S3S, pji. I to 4.
'' " Perliap:^," suggests Mr. O'Donovan,
" he was Ailam O'More ? " — Ibid.
" See " Parliamentary Gazetteer of
Ireland," vol. l.. ]i. 151.
^ Kosbran, Shrouquill, Ratherique,
lS2 HISTORY OF THE QUEEN'S COUNTY.
determined by the succeeding denominations. Besides Ballyadams town-
land, we find the following townlands— Loughlass, Fallaghmore, Drumroe,
Garroonagh, Whitcbog, Kilh'ganard, Rathcrng, Rathgilbert, Cappana-
feacle, Sronscull, and Parkahoughill— which appear to have constituted
its original parish. The limits of Ballyadams Barony arc coloured red
on Sir William Petty's Map of the Queen's County. The following
churches arc represented on it, as lying near the River Barrow, viz.:—
Donbrin, Tankardstown Killebban, and Monksgrange. Also the follow-
ing castles, viz :— Ballintlea, Cronagh, BaUyadams, Kilmacready,
]\Iilltowne, and Ballilehan. Likewise the following denominations are
found, viz. :— Bituber, Fontstown, Monyscriban, Shronquila, Rossban,
Ratlikilligancr, Rathirique, Fcramore, Rathgilbert, Rathaspug, Oldcort,
Clonepeirc, Shehanagh. Coolegaragh, B:foyle, and Killtcen. A stream
is represented as passing south-wesiwards to the Ijarrow. This mai>
a])pi'ars to com]")rise live divisions.
The old church of this parish was situated within a cemeterv, and
on an eminence. It is now m ruins, and from old records, Kilmackeady
seems to have been the original name of Ballyadams old church. It
may mean " the Church of MacAedh." 7 The ruined building of Bally-
adams was about 66 feet long, and i8 broad. It consisted of a nave
and choir, the latter being 22 feet in length.^ The most remarkable
object in the grave yard of Ballvadams was the monument of the Bowen
family, who were colonists in the neighbourhood, when the tribe-lands
of the O'Mores had been parcelled out among the early English settlers
in the Queen's County. The country traditions, regarding the cruelties
liractised by this family against the native Irish, have caused this toml)
to be pulied asunder," witliin the last century, and now its former
charactenstics are scarcely distinguishable. On the entablature were the
Boweiis' arms quartered with those of Hartpole, and the crest is composed
of those representing Bowen and Harpole; that is, a helmet for the former,
and a hart or stag for the latter.9 In the Bowens' arms are the ins:gnia
of the order of Baronets ; though Sir John, and not his father Robert.
was the first who bore that dignity.io On the sarcophagus lay the
effigies of Robert Bowen, Esq., and Alice Harpole. Uv. Bowen was
dressed in the buff armour and morion, and Mrs. Bowen in the close
dress of the times. In the front of the sarcophagus, under four distmct
niches, were the figures of their four children, that is, Joan Bowen the
2nd, Margaret Bowen, Thomas Bowen the 4th, and Oliver Bowen the
3rd. At^he foot end were Sir John Bowen the eldest son, and fliela
Ellis Bowen, wife to Sir John. At the head were Alles Bowen and six
more, with ^largaret Bowen the third. The names of all these were
RathKilbort. and Ferai-hmore, with vol. iv., p. 161, there is an excellent
Rathkilligainer, are lound on General copiu-r-plate engraving of the Bowen
Valiancy's Map of this Parish. monument, erected by Sir John Bowen
8 In the year 1838, Mr. O'Donovan to the memory of Ins father, Robert
deemed this old cluirch to have been Bowen, J■.^q., and to the wife of the
"abont three or lour hundred years latter, AUce Harpole, or Hartpoole.
old." — " Letters containing Information This lady was tlie daughter of bir
relative to the AntiqnUies of the Queen's Robert Hartpoole of Shrucl, the Con
County, collected during the Progress of stable of Carlow Castle m 1577. <'vnd
the Ordnance Survey in iS^g." vol. ii. member of Parliament lor the Queens
Letter dated Carlow. December 15th, County in the year 1585. A description
ij^,^^ p_ ■:■_ of this tomb is given by a, writer in the
» In the " Anthologia Hibcrnica," foregoing monthly periodical.
PARISH OF BALLYADAM?. IS3
(■.irv»'d on the arches over their heads ; yet it chd not appear that they
were all dead on the erection of the monument. Imt rather they were
the cliildren then living and dead ; that is, three sons and four daughters.
'I he dauf^hters were Alice, Joan, ami two Marijaiets. The sons were
Jolui, Thomas, Oliver, and Thomas, of whom one, Thomas, died before
ilif I'Uth of the other. The monument was about eight feet high, of
grc-v stone, and but indifferently cut.'^
The Parish of Ballyadams is situated along the road, leading from
Callow to Stradbally, The living was a rectory and a vicarage in the
duxese of Teighlin, with the rectory and vicarage of Ballintubber united
(:uni tiiiu- inuneuKuial. The patronage was long disputed, under the
j'rotcstant establishment, but the Bishop presented during late years. '-
Nu: titlus of the united parishes amounted to £553 iGs. iid. ; but there
.v.Ls tu-itht-r glebe nor glehe-house in this parish. ^3
.■\s to whether or not the manor of Ballyadams was one of their original
i:f.ints wr have no information; but Robert Bowen was possessed of it in
Ihr laf ii-r part of the reign of Oneen Elia^abeth, although the castle is much
«'Mrr than that time. He buik the church in which his monument was
• rrcttd bv his son. His family were as exprcssL-d on the monument.
ni> flJt.>t ^on John Bowen was knighted, and not created a baronet.
,.•* ihc .i:::i> seem tu iinj)ly. He married, first, Thalia Ellis, daughter
" {':; '.■ rr.'.itli th-- arr.s .'.re, in Kom,-in naiiu' in l~iu'l.ind, tlie offiC'j of high con-
<j»;rA'.i. l<"!".:Kr l-v.i.N AM' .\iiis st.iMc clcv' K-rd In iJic Dul.e of Buck-
)lii.n:;, :' u. Mr. C)'J 'mii'a .m, iiu;hani in iiLlit of hi> iji^c.-nt from the
r.vrwf, )..., W >- <\.i\r ;';i in h;^ Urd- i-IJc->i d.r.i.:!:iir of tht- la>t Humphrey de
r.*t.'r s.;:\.v I.-'.'.'T, .l..;c ! Carlow. Holiuii. \\li"-f claiin. liowever, was not
|v.,^s:,Ur Jt*.!. !"••. ;■ 5 <*:> th^-" adniitiid l-y IKnry \'III.. and the office
).',r,th *-i-. t:.<- ! il-.-i;..- I|it.Lj!;, iu was drw ,:itinu'-d. 1 111114. hi'cy de fiuhun
ii i'x~: i.-t',i'.^U i^-.i I »:. :^:.:.~- the I'.d't. .u. ! fii.'>t hii;li constable of
A» t ;;:»:;! <v ttn. l»j:.Mi! \.i IC m kl th.it 11. 'i:;'-. c.uiic iutu Ireland with
1' •j-JJv I -.,i:i; l!'-iuv II. and was by that Prince made
" l! '.<■;..•» j;''n-;.t f..?. c". :;. r.-.i '.rr'5 f m\ criior of Wat'-Tft.rd, having under
/,. linn Kolcrt Fitz-Bernard and Hugh de
>Ca« *■■:; i-r:>f..^c ! -'. la tL.» toinb CJun Icville ; but it dic'S not appear he
.• 1:, ;,.<• S'-ttlcd m till-, (.oiintry or obtained any
|. '■*•-,!.»' ?-, ;•*. i ■: •!!•!..!, \»I.<.vc fc'f.ints tl.rtin. Huiiijihriy de Bohun,
1^;^, «•*»., *./tfVi.»t ?.,*:;! his descendant and i.,irl of Hereford,
i^vj-.-)j'«J V'-»*-"J'^>«fe«J J«-A..e »i;hiu iii.Trricd I-ili/.d'cth, tlie fourth daughter
■!-:«» J --jf „3 ixi,' . ol l-!il\vard I., fri>in wlioiii the Bohuns or
\i^;.,«.< ■»s*'(^ &.M. «r.,ut.: r.v.ll oa B.wens, \sho .afterw.uJ.s settled in
t^l■!it^ •..lis, I.-iI.md, are supp.:^.] tn be descended.
Ihl.ijua <-t"j.5 .ievTc.'. »*jt {.:»•. Irw:;i 'Ihout'.h we h,i\e no parinular account
#<»»_■. k-1-f! . of their establishment in tins coiinlry,
%l'.}«.icx «:\i'*-*i -ijji.i, \.;'.wC» live; it wa.s prd'ably one of th',' sens ol the
4..* »3. J- ' .Said rniieess Jili/.ibeth, ,is the name
%*^-.«»« 8*,/rt.t'« t',<^uiSi'.. ht <.iii LcCvnie c.MiiKi 111 the jv.r^on of her
8t*^-?f C yt '" j;:.iiidvj:i a!"/ul f ; 1 1 v \e,irs after. On
*♦ ti.e J).-w<t= v.ij JV l.,n Uruly i» very wl.ieh uccoant the BmIuuis quarter their
♦A«^b«T»,V Iti^t <i«'.i";£.A";)- i'.ci. <-n '.t\\ !;>>::» anuh with Ihnse of Edv..ird 1., two lions
«*-« > t;i:.vs.3 hi~£* '-.< J.r-..;lAr.J. I>.L^i.lnt ; their own paiernal arms with
livKji-ffT- lie liJLir, la Ihf »r;^:» ol a riag's he. 1 !, u inch tiiey quartered with
H'C^f !t . ty r.f.:.'. • ! l..« v.;rc MAr^-irct, ti.o;.e of .Milo, i:arls of Hereford, as
«il<^»: <i4-«}itcf ci Vtilj.. KA;i«Ml'.ir*.:d. cxj>resacd on tlie former monument.
«M tTfli'.i.'y l.'-ich c.>a»!a;!' o! lin^- "In ii..\'> the I'atroiis were succes-
it^%.'i , An ' '.:.'. f tx'.XiV.rl l.'j th.it 'amily bivtly Miss i^outhv.ell, P. Maguire, Esq.,
%€a |<ru>-.'J»tw..'ti*. ur.til !?.r .'cipin ol and — ]5rerito!i, li-q.
|.J«»i\l III.. ^»!.'-n tl-.r :i;a!c Ime t.f the '^ See Lewis's '• Tupograpliical Dic-
IViAwr.* t«-;::;:n.x'.tnif >n the {Mrr.v.tn ol ti'>narv of IieLmd," vol. i., p. 121.
Uu-' jhsrv i!c iWihun. the List ol that *♦ llis m -nuiry is held in detestation
1S4 HISIORY OF THE QUEEN's COUNTY.
•
of — Ellis, Esq., who died without issue ; and, secondly, Margaret,
daughter of Sir William Domvile, Attorney-General of Ireland. Sir
John was active in keeping possession of the country during the Irish
Insurrection of 1O41 ; and from being, on constantly going abroad,
armed with a pike, he obtained in Irish the name of Slun&n-a-Ficha,
or John with his pike. '4 His eldest son by his second marriage, William
Bowen, Esq., died nth April, 16S6, without male issue, leaving three
daughters co-heirs, his son having died some time before his father. '5
Lucy, the youngest, married Colonel Southwell, who distinguished himself
at the siege of jNIonjuich, in 1705. The eldest married — Butler, Esq.,
and the second Arthur Brereton, Esq., of the Queen's County, whose
descendants occupied in three divisions the Ballyadams estate. A
short distance towards the north-west of this church stands the old
Castle of Ballyadams — said to have been built by O'More — and it belonged
to one of this name in 1546, when it was taken by the Lord Justice
who proceeded from Atliy, with a numerous armv, into the territory
of Leix. He was assisted on that occasion by the Earl of Desmond and
a large army. They remained for fifteen days plundering the country,
and they left warders in the Castle of Ballyadams. '^ The ruins of the
embattled walls of the castle are embosomed in venerable trees. The
eep consists of several storeys, and it is of very commanding height, being
inhabited in the last century. Its projectmg towers {produce an interesting
and a highly picturesque effect. ^7 Some little distance north-eastwards
from the old castle are the remains of a large rath. During the In-
surrection of 1641 this castle was besieged. 18
Kilmackeady had four townlands, and it was an entire rectory,
worth in i()40 £40 per annum, and worth only /12 in 1657.'^ Its church
was out of repair, at this latter period, and it had no minister. Among
other antiquities in the parish, there was a ruined chapel at Doonbrin,
which may be Anglicized " The Fort of Bran," in this jiarish, and it lay
on the western bank of the Barrow. Withm the townland of Lower
Dunbrin, there is a remarkable Rath or Dun, which is easily reached
by a road near Heathfield House, and which leads eastward from that
high road between Athy and Carlow, on the west side of the Barrow. In
Upper Dunhiin there is a smaller Rath, within a j^lanted enclosure.
Near Ballyadams grave- vard and within a copse wood are two wells ;
one of these is called Toberneeve, and the other Tobernasool. The
Roman Catholic Chapel of this district, and a National School are not
far removed. Ballyadams is the head of a Catholic parish, having
also chaj^els at Luggacurren and Wolfhill. On the townlands named
there is also a large circular rath. The parish of Ballyadams contains
by the country people, on account of his the F )ur Masters," vol. v., pp. 1496,
alleged c uelties i407-
^^Tliere is another family of the '^See J. N. Brewer's "Beauties of
Bpwcns in Ireland, but whether Ireland," vol. ii., p. 103.
descended from any of the younger '" See I.ewis's "Topographical Die-
sons of Sir John Bowen before ti«"^:y of .Ireland " vol. 1., p. 122.
mentioned, or from anotlier b anch .'•' ^^^f Sir Charles Coote's "General
of the Bowens, is not known V""^ °f '^'^ Asncnlture and Manufac-
c iu << A J 1 • ,,-, !, tures of the Queens County,' chap. i..
See the " Antholo;^ia Ihbernica," ^„^. , -, f7
vol. ,v. pp. 161 to 163, for 20 See " ParlianuMilary Gazetteer of
the month of September, 1794. Ireland," vol. i., p. 151.
'"See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of -'i See ibid.
I'AKISII OF HALLYADAMS. ^^5
some liaiulsome rfsulenccs. Amon.e; these may be enumerated Kcllyville,
Ballinlobber, Tallvho, Southlk-ld, RathgillK-rt, Popeticld, and Heathtield,
In iS]i, the poinihition was ^,165.-'^ The tithe composition and gross
income was J\\]j ; the nett was i^oj 15s. ^d. The curate had a stipend
of /'Jt prr annum m 1846.-' In 1841, the population of Ballyadams
jMii'^li was 2,051,-- and the h(nises were j,y4.
Within tins jnirish is the district called and written Ballintubbert
or i;.illintubber, which may be Anglicized "the town of the well."
In the b'-gmning of the seventeenth century, it appears to have been
a M-jiarate pan>h and rectory, although now included as a townland
withm the i>arish of liallyadams. The Iri^h name of Ballintubber,
alt.T the settlement of Leix by the English colonizers, was changed
mtn I'on^towne ; luit the former name, which the native population
u-'-.l, is iiow the only one remaining. Fonstown had a non-resident
n. !(ii, but a resident vicar, in ihid. -3 The rector was Robert Ram,
Ma>trr (.t Arts, and a college student at the tune. This livmg was worth
£i(*. i he vicar wa- Arthur Bladesmith, a reading minister. The church
and its chancel weie in good rejxiir, with books, etc. The site of its
.i!iei--nt clmrch is not now remembered. A Protestant church and
»•- hooMiouve at ])resent are situated close by Ballintubbert House and
.•rn.tmental grounds ; while this serves also for the union of Bally-
ad. iin-^. A small villa-..- is near it. The two ]-iarishes of which this
iK-iu-lice con-^i>ted have the iiUds api)ellations of fiallyadams of Ballin-
lohUr and l-un-t(Av:; of liallintol.hei .- 1 Inuitstown or Fonstown had
(•v.- !..'.'.iil.ii. U.-.' aiid the rommonwealtli iteei\'ed the ])rolit in 1657,
\'.\.< :\ U.' ]'.iu-h h.id i;-. ehui« h .uid no minister.-'" In Fonlstown parish,
.iu ::.'• tfv. id.tiid-) <■! <'ron,iu;h.-" h.isaiig a stone house in repair;
H.i'i'..:.. !• .1,-' B.iihntui'l.'r.-' .md .Mon.isti it'an.3" In the latter places, a
>bitrr5 },■•'. V M\\ .t :;nu'-d (huieh are noted. It is possible Monastriban
n•.'•.l::^ ■' t'-e jn-:-.i>t. ;v ot Ahb.m." It is not hir from Killabban.
Chual:
A i:v'*!'ra stiu- tn:<-, r.illed (j.Mrr's Castle, is built on the summit
<.{ .1 r.in.ifk.iMc r.^k. talKd ("arrigatuder, within Ballintlea townland.
TT.'.N norid'-'-riipt .aal sohd -tone i^ile was erected some time during the
ru'htii nth i'-iituf\ . to givr employment for labourers in that neighbour-
!..-s!, and It ina\ l-c- c!a.ss<-d with one of the many Irish " lollies,"
uhuh arc still sl;--.\n as a d.i>tinctive class of unmeaning objects, yet
" S"- liiK.itt'.ri's "• (;.i7'-ttrcr of the View of the .Agriculture and Manu-
W.fl.!." \'!. I, i>. c ;■ factures of the Oueen's County," cliap. i.,
".\.<.f.in.< to th- •• I.iIht Kc;;alis bect. t,, ]i. ij.
ViM'..i;t'<f.i> " ^~ l'".vi(iently Cranua,i.;li townland, in
5*S'i' " !".ir!t.i:miit.irv G.iz-tteer of the parisli of liallyadains.
IrcI.iU'l." vol. 1.. j>. i.jK. -" Now BalHntlca, in the parish of
'* l-\>ur <•! thcv t'jwnlands are ac- Ballyadams, and still pronounced Ballin-
cunteii (or in a >uhM-.pn-nt p.ira:^raph. clea by the country ]5eople.
'Ihrre is anoth.-r t.iU'd K.ithiiiore -•' Olherwise Ballintubbert. The trans-
fvi(lcnt!%' an ancieni dcMoimnatioii, and lation of this is Fontstown, and it is a
denveil from a rath of i-onsiderable .size. townland now lying within the parish
to \,r seiii uithiii It. .\No, on this ol Ballyadams.
townland is to be seen the site of ^" Si^w the townland of Monas-
Kilnialee.l graveyard. The <leiiomina- creeban, in the parish of Ballyadams.
tions of Keilyville and Southluld town- U is spelled Monestribban on (General
lands are evidentlv modern. aii<l taken Valiancy's Maps. vol. ii.. No. 66, Irish
from out of the older divisions. Kecor<l Oftice, Dublin.
'« See Sir Charles Cooo-'s " General ■" A very favourable account of his
lS6 HISTORY OF THE QUEEN's COUNTY.
desif^ned for the purpose of emplo^'ing labour. The Deautiiul demesne
of Kcllyville, formerly the seat of Judge Kelly,3i Qf ^he Common Pleas,
and Southlield House, 3^ are within this present division of Bally-
adams parish. The rectory and vicarage of Ballintubbert, 33 in the
Diocese of Leighlin, are united with those of Ballyadams, and its tithes
were included in the composition for the latter parisli.34 Further illustra-
tions of the Catholic History of Ballyadams parish relating to its old
divisions, including Tullomoy, Ballyquillane, Fontstowne or Ballintubl)er,
Tecolme, and ]iart of Ratliaspick, are to \k- fmiiid in the 'Most Rev.
Bishop Comerford's work. 35
CHAPTER XL— Parish of Bali.yroan.
This parish is situated in the north-west border of the barony of
Cullenagh, and it contains 9,682 a. or. i/.i of land, about 800 of which
is under bog, and the rest arable or pasture. A town or village, bearing
the same name, appears to have been of some antiquity.^ The parish
is traversed south-south-westward by the old coach-road, leading from
Dublin to Cork. 3 Near the village is a remarkable moat, which ascends
to a considerable height, and which has a terraced passage, wmding
around its sides to the topmost plateau. A deep trench surrounds tlie
raised enclosure, which is planted over with trees. A castle is thought
to have been here, as on the margin of a loose folii) vellum Manuscript
in T.C.D., 4 there is a note in Irish which states, that Conall,
the son of David O'More, King of Leix, re-erected the castle of Dunmase
{i.e. Cainen Mase) after having taken it from the English ; and built
the castle of Baile atha in roine— supjiosed 5 to be a mistake for an
Irish rendering of Ballyroan.6 On the old INIap <>t Leix and Ophaly,
Ballyrone is marked, as also Tolouer, now Tullc-re, and Dromselcge,
now Drimashellig, a townland in this parish. Coulinleigh and
Koulinagh is marked on the old Map of Leix and Ophaly.
We find, that Ballronv was an impropriate reciory. with residence
in 1616.7 Thomas Manby {idoii) was minister and i^reacher, with books
high character and wit is contained in - There is a castle and church called
Sir Jonah Barrington's " Per.sonal Basuonc — we sui)pose it is a misspelling —
Sketches and Recollections," in the in the division ot Tovachlov, on the old
chapter " Anecdotes of Irish Judges." Map of Lea.K, published in the " Journal
^^ Formerly the residence of the re- of the Kilkenny and South-Eust of Ire-
spected and accopmlished Richard Grace, land Archaeological Society," vol. iv.
Esq., M.P., of Bole^^ See J. N. Brewer, New series, part ii., p. 345. This
" Beauties of Ireland," vol. ii., pp. 103. denomination is probably intended for
104. Balliroan.
^^ The ruins of Ballintubbert old ■' Thomas O'Conor, in a letter dated
church are marked on the "Ordnance Carlow, December 23rd, 183S, de-
Survey Townland Maps for the Oueeii's scribes Ball\'roan parish in " Letters
County," Sheet 19. containing In.fnrmation relative to the
2* See Lewis's " Topographical Die- Antiquities of the Queen's County,
tionary of Ireland," vol. i.. p. I2u. collected (h.rin^; the Progress of the
35 See "Collections relating to tlie Ordnance S.irvry in 1S3S," vol. ii..
Dioceses of Kildare and Leighlin," vol. pp. 250 to ji.S.
iii., pp. 124 to 134. ■• It is classe 1 fl. 2. iS.
' It is described on the " Ordnance ^ By IMr. 0'(_;ouor in his letter of
Survey Townland Maps for the Queen's December 23, 1S38. See vol. ii., p. 260.
County," Sheets 18, 23, 24, 30. " Thus set down, bAile aca mitem.
iSG HISTORY OF THE yUEEN's COUNTY.
desij^ned for the purpose of employing labour. The beautiiul demesne
of Kelly ville, formerly the seat of Judge Kelly, 3i of the Common Pleas,
and Soutlilicld House, 3^ are within this present division of Bally-
adams parish. The rectory and vicarage of Ballintubbert, 33 in the
Diocese of Leighlin, are united with those of Ballyadams, and its tithes
were included in the composition for the latter parish. 34 Further illustra-
tions of the Catholic History of Ballyadams parish relating to its old
divisions, including Tullomoy, Ballyquillane, Fontstowne or Ballintubber,
Teculnitj, and ]iart of Rathaspick, are to bt- found in the Most l-iev.
Bishop Comerford's work. 35
CHAPTER XL— Parish of I'.ali.yrcan.
This parish is situated in the north-west border of the barony of
Cullenagh, and it contains 9,682 «. or. i/.^ of land, about 800 of which
is under bog, and the rest arable or pasture. A town or village, bearing
the same name, appears to have been of some antiquit}^- The parish
is traversed south-south-westward by the old coach-road, leading from
Dublin to Cork. 3 Near the village is a remarkable moat, which ascends
to a considerable height, and which has a terraced passage, winding
around its sides to the topmost plateau. A deep trench surrounds the
raised enclosure, which is planted over with trees. A castle is thought
to have been here, as on the margin of a loose folio vellum Manuscript
in T.C.D., 4 there is a note in Irish which states, that Conall,
the son of David O'More, King of Leix, re-erected the castle of Dunmase
{i.e. Cainen Mase) after having taken it from tlie English ; and built
the castle of Baile atha in roine — supjiosed 5 to be a mistake for an
Irish rendering of Ballyroan.6 On the old Map oi Leix and Ophaly,
Ballyrone is marked, as also Tolouer, now Tullf^-e, and Dromselcge,
now Drimashellig, a townland in this parish. Coulinleigh and
Koulinagh is marked on the old Map of Leix and Ophaly.
We iind, that Ballrony was an impropriate reciorw with residence
in 1C16.7 Thomas Manby {idem) was minister and jjreacher, with books
high character and wit is contained in - There is a castle and church called
Sir Jonah Barrington's "Personal Basuone — we sujiposeit is a misspelling —
Sketches and Recollections," in the in the division ot Tovachlov, on the old
chapter " Anecdotes of Irisli Judges." Map of Leax, publishtid in the " Journal
^- Formerly the residence of the re- of the Kilkenny and South-East of Irc-
spected and accopmlished Richard Grace, land ArchtEological Society," vol. iv.
Esq., M.P., of Boley. See J. N. Brewer, New series, part ii., p. 345. This
" Beauties of Ireland," vol. ii., pp. loj. denomination is probably intended for
104. d3alliroan.
^'■' The ruins of Ballintubbert old ■' Thomas O'Conor, in a letter dated
church are marked on the " OrtUiance Carlow, December 23rd, 1838, de-
Survey Townland IMaps for the Queen's scribes Ballyroan parish in " Letters
County," Sheet 19. containing Information relative to the
2* See Lewis's " Topographical Die- Antiquities of tlie Queen's County,
lionary of Ireland," vol. i., p. 120. collected (h.rin.; the Progress of the
^° See " Collections relating to the
Dioceses of Kildarc and Leighlin," vol.
iii., pp. 124 to 1 3-1.
1 It is described on the " Ordnance
Survey Townland Maps for the Queen's
County," Sheets 18, 23, 24, 30. « Thus set down, t)<MLe Ac.^ nmoin.
Ordnance Survey in 1.S3S,"
vol. ii..
pp. 250 to J 06.
^ It is classe 1 II. 2. iS.
5 By ]\Ir. O'Conor in his
letter of
Deceuiber 23, 1S38. See vol.
ii., p. 260.
PAKISll OF BALLVKUAN. l^y
'I'he cliurch and chaiiccl witc kept in repair. The pari>h and town of
Inilliroane arc rcjirrsentcd on Sn- William Potty's Map of Cullcnagh
baron}'. A few houses mark the site of the town ; and a considerable
vtri]ie of bog is marked. In the next map to Clonkeene or Cloneheen
(>n an enlarged scale is Balliruane parish. Its town is represented by
.1 ^I'dup of seven detached houses near its celebrated moat. The town-
I.ind denominations are, Balliroane, Rahinbroge, Ballinlogh, Cloncullan,
Crubin, Ballmone (?), Cashcll. The arable, meadow, pasture and bog
I.I lids are shown in the numlur of acres, roods, and perches, as admeasured
b\- .Ambrose Yorke, a.d. 1650. The detached Balligormill of Fossey
pan-^li is shown in like manner on this map.^
In the village, there was a Protestant school, endowed b\' Alderman
I'resion with lands in Cappaloughlan. The school was a large slated
building erected at a cost of £500. The schoolmaster was a Master of
.•\rt> fiom Trinity College, Dublin, who, with an usher, gave a classical
.md Bn-Iish education in 1834, 1S35, 1S36.'' to about iifty boarders and
<lay ^eh(>lar^."J His sti})end was /55 ])er annum." In subsequent
\i-;ii-. the- scIk^oI was removed to Rockheld House near the village;
A !;!!<• a l^ilice P.arrack and Dispensary have been built on the former
Mtc. Tlie Preston foundation of late has been removed to Abbeyleix,
uheir .1 new s, h'lol has been provided, under altered regulations.
The ("idlriM^h Mountains lie witliin Bnllyroan parish, on the eastern
lxi!'!'i ; and tin-- consist of three distinct peaks, distinguished as the
nia< N Mi^untam. the Middle Mountain, and Slieve Bawn, the former,
w!.:- !i ;> the hi^'he-^t, at taining an altitude of 1,045 feet. Coal ajipears to
« \;-.*. ::\ {)'..> h!.,'!.e.-i mount, iHi, where shafts have been sunk and a level
j;i.-.!'-. .'.t ^i-.w leini'te time. Ind;.. .Mioi^.s oi co.d are in other parts of
th:> J .i:.-:», n^p.j.'.llv uv.-.v tlie town of i'.:ill\roan, on the bank of a
tivi;!'?. 0:j 'A,-- "-Imj-.: (.f the Hl.ick Mountain, the Barringtons, who
1,4.1 4 •j;;.rcl .il.:.:c r^t.itc in Cullinagh Barcjny, built a castellated
n;^:. '•:•'.•;. thr ii-.tMUis ol uhich are still to be seen. In it they li\'ed for
g«T,rr.iti":.>, .ii-\ 'h:.>ui.'h sloimy tinifs m the sixteenth and seventeenth
f«-titnr-.'--i. In tii-.- «.n;;htcent!i centurw it was called by the peasantry,
C.ullm.iirhrnorc lloiw.'. Wiien y<>ung. Sn- Jonah Barrington i- lived in
i! v.5?h K:s ;,T;i;id!a?h<'r, Col<.>ncl Jonah Barrington, Many amusing local
•liifvdo'.o .»:•■• jntrwJuccd, in " Personal Recollections and Sketches
<■! lki-> o-.^n 'Ii!i;c5." in conm-xion with this house. '3 The rcnmant of their
1.j;t:i- •■-t.it.- was s^-'d to Sir Jolm Parnell, and when the Barringtons
' A'«;« ;.lif. K* to t!.'- " I.il'-r Kcl:i1is tuiuil m W. D. S. T.iylor s " History of
VmJjkUijn:*." tin- I ni\i'rsity of Diil)iin," chaji. xi., sect.
» N«-.vrlv corr<".>.:->l:n;^ with tlic f^re- i., p]"", .^S.j to.)SS, he is called the youngest
K'i'-'-ii l» ffiicr.il V.iH.i;'. v"s M.ip of thr sun of Colonel liarrin2;tnn, of Cullenagh,
l..i:ony oi Cul!r:ia-.;h. v..!. 11., N). 6y. inccjrrectly placed ui the County of
* During tiirsc yc.ir-j th- h.'-'. l-in.i^ter Kilkenny.
was .^l.'. .\rthiir' Ihitchms, M..\., of '^ In boyhood, the writer of these
Trinitv C"l'.c;'>-. Du! Iin. articles liad a ]iersonal knowledge of some
"The I'rotc'-t;int I'aydyjys. accordin..' of the ch.iracters mentioned, who were
10 l!i'- btipiil.Hi''n of the lOund'.T, re- then Iivuil,'.
(vivd a ^ratmtous f<!ucat:()n ; ihe '* Tliu writer, when \-cry young, well
Kom.in Citholie-i paid /i a quarter lor recollects some amusing anecdotes of this
tlu-ir tiay beln'oluiK. gentleman, told by old jieasants who re-
•» See' Ltuis'.s '• Toixigraphical Die- meml)(-rrd him. He was remarkable for
liouary of Ireland." \o\. i.. p. 163. ready wit and humour, as also for kindly
" In the bio-r.ii'hy of Sir Jonah sympathies and charities towards the
r..ininmi'n, LL.D., and which is c<'n- ]n-)p!i-. which made him highly popular.
IiSS HISTORY OF THE QUKEN'S COUNTY.
left their family mansion, a Mr. Anderson, '4 the Catholic agent of Sir
John, lived in it, and fitted up a small chapel in the hamlet of Cullenagh
adjoining, for the accommodation of himself and the Catholic tenants. '5
Afterwards, Sir John Parnell sold the estate to John Toler, the well-
known Lord Norbury ; whose descendant holds it m possession.
One of the earliest religious foundations in Leix aj^pears to have
been the church, which derived its name from St. Faolan, and which
afterwards distinguished the now almost forgotten site, where it had
been erected, as Kilwhelan. This townland lies upon an elevated ridge,
on the west of the Cullenagh mountains."^ The mound of an old disused
burial-ground — in the eighteenth century of considerable height, but
now almost level with the surrounding field — may be observed on the
s]>ot ; while tradition avers, that an ancient church formerly stood
tliere, and gave the locality even greater prominence. ^ 7 The patron
saint of this place seems to have flourished at a very early date, and
we are informed that he descended from the race of .^ngus, son of
Nadlraech, King of jMunster. It may be inferred, as stated, that this
saint was restored to life through St. Attracta's merits, and after
he had been drowned. ^S By one writer ^9 he is designated as
St. Foillan, surnamed the Leper ; while, in the " Martyrology of Donegal,"
lie is called Faolan the Stammerer, -o of Rath Erann in Albain, and of
Cill Fhaelain,2i in Laoighis, in Leinster. On the 2oth cjay of June, his
feast occurs in our Calendars.-^ Some doubt seems to remain, however,
that he may have been identical with the celebrated St. Foilan, Felan,
or Fillan, Abbot in Scotland, and who is venerated on the 9th day of
January .23 The Earl of Essex's army passed near Kilwhelan, after the
celebrated engagement at " The Pass of Plumes," and on its march to
IJallyroan. The townland of Tullore, in the ]:)arish of Ballyroan, and
barony of Cullenagh, contains 199 a. 2r. 2S /). -4 of good arable land.
Here there is an old place of interment, held in great veneration by the
people from time immemorial, and yet greatly resorted to on the occasion
^■^ At the time Cullenagh was within Irish IMonasticon, the foundation of St.
the Catholic district of Ballynalull, and Foillan's Church is assigned to the time
served by a priest from that town. of St. Patrick, ami he is styled abbot,
^•^ These are three in number, and callc',1 apparently on no goott anlhurity.
respectively Slieve Dubh, or the Black 20 'pj^g " J3i-t^.viary of Aberdeen " states.
Mountain, the Middle Mountain, and the that it had been a prophecy, the Scottish
White Mountain. The latter is of lesser St. FeaUin should be born witli a stone
elevation than the other two mountains, in his mouth, and this caused his father
and on its sale is Ivilwhelan, now com- to regard him as a monster,
pletely unenclosed ; and even, like many -^ The old form of Ivilwhclan, as now
celebrated Irish places, not named nor written and pronounced,
noted on our Irish Ordnance Survey -- In the Kev. Matthew Kelly's
Majis. " Martyrology of Tallaght," we have the
'■^ Archdall asserts, that the place is following entry at this date, " Faelani
TUiknown ; yet, if such were the case so amlabair i Sraith Eret Albain," ]i. xxvii.
far as he had been concerned, the name See also " The Martyrology of Done.ual,"
and local traditions preserve it in the edited by the Kev. Dr. Todd, and Kev.
recollections of the neighl)ouring pea- Dr. Keeves, pp. 174, 175.
santry. See " Monasticon Jlibermcuni," 23 jj^g jife will be found at that tlate,
p. 595. in Rev. John Canon O'Hanliju's " Li\es
1" See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum of the Irish Saints," vol. 1., pp. 134 to
Hibernia'," ix. Februarii. \'ita S. 144.
Attract.e, cap. xi., xii., and n. 16, ])p. 279, -* See "Ordnance Survey Townland
2.'^o, 2Sj. Maps for the (Jueen's County," Sheet
*^ .Xi-chdall. Bv this author of the 24.
I'AKISH (il I'.AI I VlvOAN. ^ 1S9
of (icatli. ( )n thr I'M Map of T.i-i\,-"> 'rulDuir is iiiaiked lUTir a church,
which a])]>eais to ha\'c stootl thi-rr, cail\- m the sixteenth century, and
in the former teintorv of Tovaclilov. It srruis ver\' ]M'oliaMe, that this
had hti-n the ])lare alhided to, ui that I.itanv attributed to .l^n^us
Ceile De. wlii're he invokes tlie Seven l>ishoi)S of Tuhich Labhair,-''
who inu>t ha\e been l)Uried in the ceiueters' thire previoiis to tlie ninth
I'l'iitury. and wh(jse memories were ew-n then \n benethi tion. If so, tlie
burial-uround. wliere it is certain a church fornurI\- arose, must boast a
Very f^TCiit antiqmty. In summer time, the spot is t^arnished with fine
hawtliorns, which are of .i^reat beauty while in blossom. 'J'he townland
o| Kilvahan is situatetl, ])artly in the pari>h of Ballvroan,-/ and partly
in the ])arish of Kilcolmanbane,-"^ in the baron\- of Cullcnagh. The
L;raveyard of Kilvahan occupies an ele\'ated situation, and it is surrounded
by a nearly circular fosse, which was formerly entered by an old road
h-adiiii; from the adjoining village of Moncenafullagh, " the little marshy
sjMd (li blood," on the direction from Ixillyknockan Castle. It is some
little distance removed from the former mail-coach road, between
Dulihii and Cork. At the village already named, the chief k)runt of contest
at the Tass of Plumes was sustained, and hence the name it afterwards
b. i:e.-'' The i^assage of funeral processions to the cemetery, at present,
leads along a headland of the acljacent field to the horeeji, wliere traces
of thf old road are to be seen. In the month of ]M?iy fine ancient haw-
thorn tiecs are in the richest bloom, on the ditch whicli fences the moat,
.uid i-"l.'.tiii thorn bushes grow among the graves. Of late a wall of
« I,. 1..- Uf has been built around the cemetery by the Poor Law
• .v;.i:'i;.in>. .-V fiw head-stones of marble-limestone are seen, and
J:i.n» .o:i^t.^nt friction of the fleecy flocks that formerly resorted
!->r s!,<ltrr thiie, those sepulchral memcniais assumed a jet-black
I-i'ttrc. ar.'i the iiiscri[)tions are mo^t clearly legd)le. We have
j.ul In-en able to discover any historic record, which might serve
to ir!ij->irate tlie foi nu-r history of Kilvahan. l\Ir. Thomas O'Conor,
ulio visited this pl.i( e in 1S38, was of o]iinion that Kilvahan 3o probably
<!i-n\<i| it> name liom a St. IMeathon.?' thus making it the Kill or
(hurt !i cf St. Meatlu;n. However, this name cannot be found in our Irish
(".ilendar>. l-~oimerlv, and, ind^'ed. to the beginning of the present century,
,»n old ruiii'd church was to be seen, within the burial enclosure
!•! Kilvahan. iMoni a jierfect local know'ledge of the spot, the writer has
not It en .d'!'- to trace a single \-eb ige of those ancient walls, which
''• Sc- •* J..iiti;,il ..( il>'- Kilkcniiv ami -■' Sec " Pruccei.linj.^s of the Royal Irish
^M■^Jth■<-a^^ ,,t Inl.uul .\r(.lia(i!o'.^ical .^ca(leIny," sccoiul sltIcs, vol. 1., Polite
S-.n-ty." vi 1. IV.. luw siriL-h, pari li.. Literature and .\ntii|uitie.s, for a Paper
p. \.\\. " On the Iclcntilicalion of the site of the
»* Srr ■■ '1 ho Irivh KccK-siast.ical lCn,i;am.-inent at the ' Pas.-; of Plumes,' "
Hrf.ir.!." olil M-rirs. \..l. iii.. June, i.So-, Xo. XLIII., pj). 279 to 2SS. There is a
IP 47. J. .;'>. "Tlu- I'H..)k of I.i-in.sler '' inaji of this locality prefixed, and which
toMi.iins thr onL;in.il Ir;-li, which has .shows tlie position of Kilvahan Grave-
l.'.cn c<ipic<! ;iii<l ir.m-l.itfil by Prcjfcssur yard.
IJrv.m O'LiM.ticy. '■"' See " Letters containing Infornia-
'■ This portion of the townhmd con- tion relative to the .Antiquities of the
t.iins .;.j.i. .'». JO/. (.hieen's County, collected during the
"This portion of the towniaml con- Progress of the Ordnance Survey in
tain.s i>f>j. J'-. I ;^*. Kilv.di.m is shown on iS^S," vol. li., p. jo^
the "Ordnance Survey Townland Maps ^i 5;^^.^^. K^iter, dated Carlow, December
l..r tlie nueeii's County." Slieel 18. 23rd, iJsjS.— /<f'/</.
igO IIISTOKY OF THE QUEEN S COUNTY.
appear to have been upiuoted from their ioundations, by the contractor
for an erection on behalf of Sir John Parncll, l-Jart., who had some time
before purchased this property from the Barringtons of CuUcnaL:;h. Tlie
materials were used to build a tuck-mill for the manufacture and dressint,'
of friezes and druggets, on the rivulet in a valley beneath the grave-
yard, and at no great distance removed from it. The writer knew an
old peasant, who stated, now many years ago, that he had a perfect
recollection of the ancient church, as its walls then stood. Happily,
at the present day, such a deseci'ation, as that here alluded to, would
not be thought of, much less perpetrated, by gentle or simple folk ;
but the prevalence of like practices, during and before the last century,
has contributed to deface, and even utterly to destroy, some of the most
interesting vestiges of antiquity. Nor have the features of these objects
been preserved lor us, by any delineation whatever, either of the pen
or jiencil.
This living was a rectory and vicarage in the diocese of Leighlin,
and in the patronage of the crown ; the Protestants amounted to 326,
and the Roman Catholics to 3,139. In 1S41, the population was 3,680,
the houses were 628. The area of Ballyroan town was 56 acres, and,
in 1831, it had a population of 714 ; in 1841 the census makes it of 637,
the houses being 119. The ]K)pulation and houses have since greatly
fallen away in number. In the Roman Catholic arrangement, Bally-
roan is united with Abbeyleix, and Catholic churches are m both towns.
The chief seats here are : Blandsfort, Rockbrook, and Derryfore. 1 n
1831, the parochial population was 3,544 persons. 32 In 1S34, the tithe
composition amounted to £415 7s. SM.33 Tlie church was a plain edifice,
near the moat and surrounded with a graveyard, with a scriptural and a
national school attached. There is neither a glebe-house nor a glebe
attached.
CHAPTER XII.— Parish of Bordwell.
At the present time, the parish of Bordwell — or, as sometimes written,
Boardwell — is situated, in part, in the barony of Claiidonagh,i but
chiefly in that of Clarmallagh.- The land within this i)arish is generally
of a good description. There is a small tract of bog, and limestone
abounds. 3 The road from Durrow to Donaghmore, and that from
Mountrath to Rathdowney, intersect each other in the interior. Towards
the south-east lies Lough Grantstown, near which is the handsome
mansion called Grantstown House, within a fine demesne, and orna-
mental grounds. This is the seat of the Earl of Ossory.
A church in ruins is on the townland of Bordwell Big, as distinguished
from Bordwell Little. The remains are to be seen there, within an ancient
graveyard. This is now enclosed ; but while the upper portion of the
'-See "Parliamentary Gazetteer of 2 jhis portion contains 2,690^. 2r. 30/.
Ireland," vol. i., p. 192. See ibid.
^^ The nett was /390 4s. 4d. The ^ gee " The National Gazetteer," vol.
curate had a stipend of l^S- i-. P- 3i3-
1 This portion contains only 113^. 2r. * See Sir Charles Coote's " General
T 3/1. See " Ordnance Survey Townland View of the Agriculture and Manu-
iMaps for the Queen's County," Sheet factures of the Queen's County," chap, i.,
28. sect. 3, p. 12.
I'Al^ISH OF l;i~)Kl^IS. , I()I
old rliuicli is i^reatly Ics'clUd, its dimensions may be traced, and its plan
is still ree(\t;iH-able. In 1O57, it is reported, that Bordwell — in Upper
()>S()rv — was worth /16 per annvuii in 1640; and that it had 80 acres
and 148 perches ol glebe. The Lord Protector. Oliver Cromwell, was
then patron.-i In i8ji, the population was 8O0. In 1834, the Protestant
inliabitants numbered only 49, while the Roman Catholics were 8.12.
In 1837, this parish was a rectory and vicarage, in the diocese of Ossory,
the Protestant Bishop being the patron, and the tithes amounting to
{137 los. As applotted under the Tithe Act, it was held to contain
2,541) statute acres. 3 There was iieitlier glebe-house nor glebe at that
time. At Grantstown and Kilbredy are the ruins of old castles. There
is a roomv Roman Catholic Chapel to accommodate the inhabitants
of that district in the union of Aghavoe. In 1841, the population of
I'oidwell parish was 057, in 157 houses.''
CHAPTER XIII.— Parish of Borris.
The parish of Borris occupies a considerable division in the Barony
of i\Iar\-l)orough East.i It has two townlands, respectively denominated
Cireat Borris - and Little Borris. 3 C)n the engraved' Map of the Petty
Down Survey these are spelled Little Burres and Great Burres. It
srrins most probable, that there was a still more ancient Irish name
lor this parish ; for it is stated, that Borris, Burris, Burges, or Buirghes,
(iitrring into the composition of local denominations in Ireland, was a
word introduced bv the Anglo-Normans, and applied by them to small
borough towns, which they established after the twelfth century. It
signifies a burgage, or borough, and it was brought into the Irish
language. As Anglicized, it forms the whole or part of names in several
of the Leinster, Munster, and Connaught counties ; but, it does not
occur in Ulster.4 It is difficult, however, to believe, that in the case of
the special local denomination here, it could have had an Anglo-Norman
origin. 5 since the history of Leix attests, that only the original Irish
inhabitants luul control of that territory, until the present Queen's
{\)unt\- hail been formed into shire-ground ; the chief fortress established
m it b\- the Knglish having been called Marvliorough, also, in honour
of Queen Marv. This is the onlv town within the bounds of Borris
parish ; but it contains some remarkable natural and artificial curiosities.
The 5iari>h of Burress, drawn by Ambrose Yorke in 1657, contains the
town, castle, and fort of Mariburrough. Cloanrehir and Rathnamanagh
■' Sec Lewis' " Tuiiogr.iphical Diclio- -'This contains 419"- i'"- -9fi- See
narv of Ireland." \()1. i., ]). 210. iliul.
■■■In the Clanilonagh section there uere * See Dr. P. W. Joyce's " Oriijin and
5^ sonls — honses 8. In the Clarinalla,L;ii History of Irish Names of Places,"
(Mjrtion, tliere were 004 i)ersons, and 149 part iii., chap, iv., p. 340.
houses. See " Parhanientciry ("Gazetteer ^ A note of Dr. O'Donovan simply
(i! Ireland." vol. i., p. 267. states, " The Irish name is donbtless
1 It is shown on the " Ordnance buijiif," in a coniment appended to
Survey Townland Maps for tlie Queen's Thomas O'Conor's account of the place.
County, " Sheets 7, 8, 12, 13, 18. It com- in his Queen's County Letters for the
prises 7,O40i7. I r. 28/. Irish Ordnance Survey.
- This contains 529^. jr. 20/^. See " Menelew bog is represented. The
ili.l.. Sheet I 1. lands are marked as forfeited.
192 HISTORY OF THE QUEEN S COUNTY.
appear to have had fortified houses or castles.^ On another map 7 is a
trace of Burres parish on a larger scale. There are as denominations, viz.,
Rathnamanagh, Great and Little Burres, Ballintogan, Gurtin, Ross-
leachan, Cloanrehir, Monelew, Knocknagrougli, Cultoryn, Balitogin,
Killeclonhoban, Monebalycaroll, with the commons of Maryburough,
consisting of over 300 acres of pasture.^ There was a chapel in Kyle
townland, also called Kyleclonhobert,'J in the parish of Borris, about
one mile northwards from Maryborough, and on the left side of the road
from that town leading to Mountmelhck. This was probably a Roman
Catholic Chapel in the penal days or somewhat previous. Only a heap
of stones now marks its site.'"
Within the old parish of Borris, to which allusion has been made,
the fort of Maryborough had been erected in the middle of the sixteenth
century, as a protection for the English settlers introduced, when the
Queen's County was erected into shire-ground, in the seventh and eighth
years of the reign of King Philip and Queen Mary. A town was then
commenced, and while, to compliment the latter, the shire was called
the Queen's, its intended chief town was named ^laryborough. An
ancient graveyard occupied the site of " the ridge," near the town,
but no trace of a former church now remains on that sj^ot." Extending
from Maryborough towards Mountmelhck, an eleveted ridge or Esker
of lime-stone, gravel, and sand is a very remarkable objcQt, and geologists
have not hitherto accounted satisfactorily for its formation. The country
on both sides of it is level, and in many places moory. On the very
summit of this Esker is an ancient highway, known as the " ridge road.''^^
The Esker runs above eight miles uninterruptedly, and above twenty
with small chasms towards Tullamore town and beyond it. Skirting
Maryborough towards the east, and issuing from this ridge, near Rath-
league, there is a " holy well," ^3 which was formerly much frequented
by pilgrims. The ridge appears to have been formed by tlie ebbing
and flowing of water, and in some places it divides the upland from the
moor. "4 This natural barrier varies from over two hundred feet to
about sixty feet in width at the base, and it slopes gradually to the
summit where it measures over twenty or tliirty feet in breadth. There
are several of these Eskers well-defined and bearing in different directions
throughout the Queen's County. These appear to have had no distinct
connection with the historic Esker Riada, said to extend from Dublin
to Galway. On the site of Great Borris townland not far from Bloomfield
House lay the old church, i5 only a heap of stones remaining ther-^ to
7 Admeasured by Ambrose Yorke, i* Several bead-stones and tombs are
A.D. 1657. to lie seen there in an elevated position.
8 Some differences of spelling and ^- In the beginning of the last
entry of denomination will be found in century, it was a leading county road.
\'allancy's Maps, copied from the See Sir Charles Coote's " General View of
originals in the National Library, Paris, the Agriculture and Manufactures of the
vol. ii., No. 64, Public Record Ol'hce. Queen'sCounty," chap, ix., sect. 4, p. 107.
9 See " Ordnance Survey Townland ^^ The local denomination of this well,
]\Iaps for the Queen's County," Sheet 13. according to Thomas O'Conor, was
1" See letter by T. O'Conor, and dated Toberagaddy, CobAii 4 Jatjaij, i.e.,
Stradbally, December Oth, 1838, iu " the well of the thiel," At present it is
" Letters containing Information relative more usually called the "holy well of
to the Anticpiilies of the Queen's County, Maryborough."
collected (luring the Progress of the '* See Lewis' " Topographical Diction-
Ordnance Survey in 1838," vol. i., p. 160. ary of Ireland," vol. ii., p. 346.
PARISH OF r.ORRIS. . IQ3
indicate its former site.i6 Some remains of the old ( le of Clonrcar
still exist in the western part of this parish. It now i.. n ruins off the
high road leading from IMaryborough to Mountmellir ibout two miles
from the former town. The ruins are to the left on a b\ ,•-: oad. Formerly
it seems to have been a fortification of some impoi..L ice. That old
Castle of Clonreher in this parish is found marked on ihe old map of
Leix and Ophaly, of earlier date than 160S.17 A short walk along the
" ridge road," and over that natural embankment from Maryborough,
will bring the tourist to Cnoc-na-greo, a hill which eminently merits its
name, for its verdant slopes are covered with the richest pasture, and it
is still grazed by cattle. Turning to the right at the foot of this hill,
the pedestrian comes to Ranamanna, an old fort presenting several very
remarkable features. The fosses that sweep round it are amazingly
deep, and its floor is perfectly level, free from shrubs and covered with
verdure. It may be fairly termed a magnificent rath, on account of
its ambit and considerable elevation.
The ancient Irish name for Maryborough was Port Laoighse.^^ meaning
" the town of Laoighis." ^9 This portion of country had been reduced
to English subjection by the Earl of Sussex. Then a suitable site was
selected within it, to have a fort built for the protection of English
settlers, and its name was determined by the circumstance. The Pro-
tcctour Fort of Maryborough was of oblong quadrangukir shape. -o It
had only one opening, at a lane, towards the west of tlie town. The
walls battened upwards for a considerable height from the foundations.
A round tun-et Hanked the north-east angle, the castle was well within
the walls, near the south-east, a square turret stood at the south-west
angle. A draw-well was within the enclosure, and near the round
bastion. Soon after the building of the fort, a church seems to have
been erected just outside of the enclosure. Whether serving as a Catholic
or a Protestant Church, in the early days, it was used for the latter
denomination until the beginning of the last century, and a cemetery
—now deserted — had been attached. A charter of Queen Elizabeth,
granted in the twelfth year of her reign, a.d. 1570, erected this town
into a borough, and assigned its municipal bounds. These were an
extent of 8,000 feet on every side of the castle, in its centre. It obtained
a Corporation, consisting of a burgomaster, two baililts, an indefinite
number of burgesses, and a commonalty ; the burgomaster was con-
stituted a justice of the peace within the borough ; it was also granted
a court and a market, with tolls and customs.^! The 1 urgomaster was
assisted by a town clerk, a sergeant-at-mace, and inferior officers. The
burgesses, by a majority of and from their own body, were annually
15 Its position is noted on the town- stated that, in his time, the old kihabi-
land map. Sheet 13. tants of the Queen's County called
1'^ See letter of T. O'Conor, and dated Maryborough Port Laoighse, wlu-nsiieak-
Stradbally, December oth, 1S3S, in ing Irish.
" Letters containing Information relative -" A ground-plan tracing is to be found
to the Antiquities of the Queen's County in the "Letters cont, lining Information
collected during the Progress of the relative to the Antiqui lies of the Queen's
Ordnance Survey in 183S," vol. i.. p. C<ninty, collected dunn- the Progress of
160. the Ordnance Survr\' in 1S3S," vol. i.,
»' See tbid. Letter of Thomas O'Cnior, dated Strati-
's In the Irish language it is spelled bally, December 6th, 1.S3S, pp. 160 to 17S.
poitc tv\o^fe. ■' See " I'arlianK'.itary Gazetteer of
'■'Mr. kaurence Byrne, of Fallybeg, Irelantl," vol. a., p. 73S.
o
154 HISTORY OF THE QUEEN'S COUxMTY.
to elect on Michaelmas Day the burgomaster and bailiffs and they
filled up vacancies m their ranks, freemen being admitted only by
favour By charter, the burgomaster and baihhs were obliged to take
the oaths of oiftce before the constable of the iort or castle of Mary-
borough, or, in his absence, before the burgesses and commons of the
borough. The burgomaster, with the two bailiHs, was escheator, clerk
of the market, and coroner. The burgomaster appointed the town
clerk as sergeant-at-mace, billet-master, and weigh-master.-'-
In 1580 Port Laoighse was plundered, and a party of its keepers
was killed, bv John, son to the Earl of Desmond. Arms, armour horses,
and other property were carried away.^3 The garrison of Port Laoighis
was beleagured in 1500, by the O'Moores and their confederates.
Provisions were required to support the besieged, and, accordingh', the
Earl of Ormond organised a considerable force to bring relict. However
on the way, he was met bv Ownv Mac Rory O'Moore, Captain Fyrrel
and Tames Burke,-4 who intercepted the convoy, with a great loss o
men horses, arms, and provisions. The Earl of Ormond being wounded
was obliged to fly from the Irish enemy, and he had a narrow escape m
not being made a prisoner. In the year 1507, and on the 7th day of
December, two bands of soldiers stationed m Port Laoighis were slain
bv Captains Tyrrell and Nugent, as also by the Kavanaghs O Moores,
d'Conors Faly, and by the Gaval Ranall.^S who were,in a state of msur-
'^^A^'public school had been established at Maryborough, early in the
seventeenth centurv, and in 1616 it was conducted by a schoolmaster
named Tavlor.^'^ Marvborough formerly returned two members to the
Irish House of Commons, the burgesses and freemen being the electors.
In 1635, the Corporation of Maryborough obtained from King Llianes
I. a grant of two fairs. /^ ■. • /^^a oi
Burrisse was an impropriate rectory to Peter Crosby, in 1616.27
The serving vicar was David Good, a reading minister. The value ol
the living ?vas /lo. The church and its chancel were m proper repair,
and furnished with books. In 1640 this rectory was worth £90 per
annum, and the parsonage was worth £60 ; the vicarage was valued at
/•30 and the whole was then valued at /48 per annum ; one-third part
of these revenues in this and other parishes was allowed to ministers
and for church repairs, the rest was enjoyed by the patron oi the paiisli
who was Sir K. Crosbie, Knt. Then, it had seventeen townlands; it
was also an impropriation, having three acres of glebe.^^ in 104-
Ormond reheved the fort of Maryborough,29 which had been m danger oi
falling into the hands of the Confederate CathoUcs. On the surrender
of Bi?r Castle, Jan. 20th, 1643, to the Confederation, William Parsons,
33 See Lewis' " Topographical Diction- sufficiency. He hath a Sood number of
arv of Ireland " vol ii p. US- schoUers resorting to the schooU Dy
^aleeDr'o'DonivaS's^- Annals of reason of the Enghsh pl-ntacon m the
the^Four Master." vol. v.. pp. 1750. ^^^^.^t^^^^^^ %^^-
'1; fE^mel^^f ^.^^^ aS;;Ses. '':^'Lo..^, to - Uber Regahs V.sita-
26 " There is a publique schoolmaster tionis. ' r^^t^-o " Tpneral
in this Diocese placed in Marlborough, J^ See Sir Charks .^oote s General
the chiefest Towne, in the Queen's View ^'^ ^'^« ^Sn<^ul "re and Manu
County. The schoolmaster's name is factures of the Queen ^ County, chap. ,
Taylor, a Bachelor of Art of good sect. 3., p. y.
PARISH OF BOKRIS. , ig5
llie Governor, stipulated for safe-conduct tt) .Mar\liorou,L;li,3o the fort of
which was kept by Sir Wilham Gilbert, Kni.^lit. That cessation of
arms, dated from JDublin, on the 26th of September, was reeei\ed by
him, and directed in his absence to the chiei ol'licer commanding his
Majesty's forces there.3i
It is related, 32 that having received the Papal Nuncio's blessing,
Owen Roe O'Neill and his men marched on Monday, September iSth,
1646, " to Droicead a deignei, and to B. Shean in Laois, where they staid
four nights." Thence they proceeded to Coilleadh a Laois 33 and Caislean
na Cuilenthoi.34 The general treated the captain of that place very
Icnientl}^ and placed a garrison of his own there. From this spot they went
to Port Laois. Sir Phelim, Colonel of the Horse, called on the garrison
to surrender. They refused to do so, until they saw the general with
the cannon. The troops now arriving, a drummer was despatched to
demand formally the surrender of that place. The governor demanded
hostages from the general, and, accordingly, Brian O'Neill, McHenry,
and McTurlogh of the Fews were sent. Sir William GiUx-rt then came
to the army. On seeing their forces and the cannon, he agreed to capitu-
late. He received permission for the garrison to carry away all their
moveables. Port Laoighse was then given in charge to Felim O'Neill,
.McDonnell, and McHenry.ss Towards the close of that year, Owen
Ivoe O'Neill, who had failed to effect the capture o"! Dublin, owing to
the imbecility or bad faith of his colleague Preston, returned with his
troops to Maryborough.36 From Kilmensie, in the vicinity of this town,
on the 27th of i\Iay, 1648, the Papal Nuncio Rinuccini pronounced
sentences of excommunication against all who should accept the cessation
ot Kilkenny.37 Subsequently the town was retaken by Lord Castlehaven.
In 1650, Maryborough was taken by the Parliamentary forces
under Colonels Hewson and Reynolds. The fort was then demolished,
and the castle was deserted. An agreement, bearing date the 12th of
May, 1652, assigns Marlborough to be the place where " Colonel! Lewes
.Moore's foote and some troupes of horse " should surrender their arms
to the Parliamentarians. 3S
According to the IMaps and Books of the Down Survey, the forfeited
lands of Burres, to the amount of 302 acres of prohtable lands, with
6 additional acres, were assigned as commons for the Corporation of
Maryborough, after having been surveyed by the Commonwealth sur-
-3 See" History of the Irish Confeaera- ^4 Nq doubt, the Castle of Cullenagh,
tion aud the War in Ireland, 1641-1O.1.3," probably held there by the Barringtons.
vVc. Edited by Jolm T. Gilbert, vol. i., ^■' See letter of Thomas O'Conor, and
p. 79. dated Stradbally, December 6th, 1838,
^" See ibid., vol. ii., p. 145. • m " Letters containing Information
''1 See ibid., p. 3S5. relative to the Antiquities of the Queen's
'= In the Journal of the Irish Rebellion County, collected during the Progress of
of 1641. the Ordnance Survey in 1S3B," vol. i.,
-^ This has been identified as Coille, a pp. 172 to 174.
to\vnIand about two miles eastward of ^° See Rev. Charles P. Meehan's
liallynakill, where there had been an " Confederation of Kilkenny," chap,
uak-wood, the last of which had been cut vii., p. 201.
down in 1704. Adjoining the same, yjlace ^^ See ibid., chap, ix., p. 253.
was a mill, the old church of Dysart ^^ Sce the " A])horismical Discovery
Galen, and the remains of an old castle of Treasonable Faction," sixth book,
overit, called Cnoc Airo ^51111. It is said. chap, vii., p. 99., in "A Contemporary
this castle had been c.illed CAifLeAti History of Irekind, from 1O41 to 1652."
mluMUJeA-o iTi^eAn -Ooriin.MLl. Edited by John f. Gilbert, vol. iii., part i.
196 HISTORY OF THE OUEEN's COUNTY.
ft
ve3^ors. But this valuable estate was afterwards usurped by the families
of "De Vesci, Parnell, Coote, &C.39 This tract was formerly known as the
Green of Maryborough.4o In the days of duelling, it was the scene of
several hostile meetmgs. One of these occurred about 1759, between
Colonel Jonah Barrington 4i of Cullenaghmore and a Mr. Gilbert. It
was fought on horseback before a great concourse of persons, with
holster pistols and broad-bladed swords, both combatants receiving
slight wounds, but escaping with life, and agreeing to shake hands as
friends. Another ridiculous affair of the kind, between a Mr. Frank
Skelton and an exciseman, occurred in 1783, during an election contest
for the Queen's County.42 fhe living of Maryborough is a rectory in
the diocese of Leighlin. In 1721, it was episcopally united to the rectory
and vicarage of Kilcolmanbane, and to the vicarage of Straboe. It was
then in the patronage of the bishop.
Formerly a considerable trade in cotton flourished in Mary-
borough, but it has long since disappeared ; still, owing to a
favourable position, the town enjoys a fair distribution of local
traffic.43 During the eighteenth "century, and far into the last,
here and in the neighbouring town of Mountmellick, woollens
and durants, or broad stuiis, furnishing a good material for
women's wear, had been produced ; while some extensive Hour mills
were in and near the town. These have since fallen to decay, and the
local trade is now inconsiderable. Fine grain markets on each Thursday
and large fairs were known in past years, but these likewise have
dechned. Many interesting election anecdotes are told of contests for
the representation of jNIaryborough, which, for the last time, was con-
tested by Lord Castlecoote and the famous Sir Jonah Barrington, in the
l)eginning of the year iSoo. Before the close of the eighteenth century,
the borough court of Maryborough — having jurisdiction to any amount-
was discontinued. When the borough was disfranchised, at the time
of the Legislative Union of England and Ireland, Sir John Parnell and
the Right Hon. Charles Henry Coote received between them, in two
equal portions, the whole of the £15,000 compensation allowed, as m
similar cases of political effacement.44
In the eighteenth century, horse races and games were often held
39 In reference to the De Vesci the town was divided between Lord
acquisitions, we are thus informed : — Castlecoote and Sir John Parnell, Bart.
" The tirst usurpation was brought about The remainder was distributed equally
by a breakfast given to the exclusive and among the thirteen freemen who were
monopolising burgesses, who, having there, with the reservation of a small
made an illegal transfer of a large portion rent for the widows of freemen. Suice
of the projierty on that occasion, the that period, no freemen havebeen elected,
shrewd Lady de Vesci observed, perhaps See Lewis' " Topographipal Dictionary
rather greedily, ' as thev,' the burgesses, of Ireland," vol. ii., p. 346.
' had given so much for a breakfast, why *^ Grandfatherto Sir [onahBarnngton.
not now try the effect of a dinner.' " Both of these rencontres are told
There are other amusing facts and with much particularity and humour by
anecdotes, that must enliven those who the facetious Sir Jonah Barrington, in
have to unravel these iniquitous pro- " Personal Sketches and Recollectums
ceedings." See Peter Gale's " Inquiry of his own Time," in the chapter headed
into the Ancient Corporate System of " Duelling Extraordinary."
Ireland," chap, iii., p. So, note, and p. "See the "National Gazetteer,"
100, ibid. vol. ii., p. 790.
*" It was enclosed after the Vmon in *^ See " Parhamentary Gazetteer of
1800, and the common of 200 acres near Ireland." vol. ii., p. 738.
PARISH OF BOKRIS. . I97
Oil the Green. In the beginning of the last century, a great liurling
match was played there, between the most celebrated Jiurlers assembled
from all parts of the Queen's County. So vast was the concourse of
spectators who flocked to witness it, that all the bakers' and victuallers'
siiops in I\Iaryborough were vun out of bread and meat, while the towns-
people and visitors there were obliged to fast for a whole day or more
U-fore the shops were again supi)lied. In the interim, extortionate prices
wt're demanded and given for provisions. In 182T, the Kight Hon.
William Wellesley Pole — who had so frequently been returned as
inemlu-r of Parliament for the Queen's County — was created Baron of
McU"yborough.45 He was second son of Garrett, fust Earl of jMornington,
and elder brother to the famous Duke of Wellington. Through his
influence at the War Office, he succeeded in getting military commissions
lor many sons of the Queen's County voters, who supported him at the
elections. Numbers of those officers distinguished themselves during
the Peninsular War, in the regiments composed almost exclusively of
Irishmen, and who fought with such determined bravery under the
ronmiand of Lord Wellington. In 1829, the members of the Corporation
of Maryborough had so diminished in number, that no legal election ot
tifticers took place; however, the townspeople elected a burgomaster,
bailiffs, and other corporate officers. In 1830, one burgess and two
treemen of the old Corporation held a meeting, at which the former was
elected burgomaster by the latter, who were also elected bailiffs by the
former ; and the townspeople also elected the same number of officers
without having had any legal authority in either case.4''
During many years preceding the date of the Municipal Inquiry
Commission, the only jurisdiction of any kind exercised within the town
as a borough was by the burgomaster, simply in his magisterial capacity.
When that report was pubished in 1S33, it was stated, " The internal
regulations of the town are deplorably bad. False weights and measures
are in general use, by which all classes, and particularly the poor, suffer
scverclv. This is a subject of well-founded and very general complaint.
The town is not lighted, and the Act of 9 George IV., cap. 82, has not
been put in operation here. "47 About the year 1835, the last vestige of
the old castle, that remained within the Fort of ^Maryborough, was
cleared away : 4^ but the ]i]ace \\here it stood is still jtointed out by the
• lid townspeojile. It was about 200 ft. distant from the rere of a large
business house,49 which faced the leading street in Maryborough. How-
ever, the office of constable of that fort, although a sinecure, was still
retained. 5u The area of Maryborough town is about 300 acres. Its prin-
cipal street is irregular in width ; nevertheless it contains some resi:)ectable-
kjoking houses. The streets which branch from it are few in number,
l)ut they contain some good houses with a great many ill-ventilated
and wretchedly built, as also many that are scarcely above the class of
mere thatched cabins. However, there are some imposing public
buildings, among which may be noticed the old gaol 5i and courthouse, 52
*^ This nobleman was constable of the *'■' It then belonj^eil to a Air. Colman.
fort and castle of Maryborough. ^'> See Lewis' " Topographical Diction-
*^ See Lewis' " To])ographical Diction- ary of Ireland." vol. ii., p. 345.
arv of Ireland," vol. ii., p. 345. ^^ This has been converted into a
*'' See " Parliamentary Gazetteer of police barracks and a bridewell.
Ireland," vol. ii., p. 73S ^- Both of these binliHngs are off the
'■^ By a jMr. Graves. main street of the town.
jg8 iiiSTOKV or Tin-: oueen's count v.
the infirmary,53 the infantry barracks, S4 the new county gaol, 5^5 the
district hmatic asyhnn,5»theEpiscopahan,57 ^Methodist and Roman Catho-
hcchurchcsSS with the Presentation Convent 59 and Christian Brothers'
Schools. This town is the seat of the Queen's County assizes, courts of
quarter sessions, during Hilary term, usually in January, during Piaster
Term, usually in March or April, during Trinity Term, usually m June,
and during Michaelmas Term, usually in October, while weekly courts of
l^etty sessions are also held. It is the residence of a stipendiary magistrate,
and the head-quarters of the county constabulary force.
In 1831, the population of the town was 2,223, m 1841, it reached
to 2,633, in 559 houses. The country around Maryborough is rather level,
and 'devoid of ornamental demesnes. Near it, however, is Rathleague,
formerly the fine residence of Sir John Parnell, and later still of his son,
Sir Henry Parnell,afterwards Lord Congleton,but it has now greatly gone to
decay ; Sheffield, the seat of the Cassans ; and Lamberton Park, finely
wooded and picturesquely surrounded with wide ranges of scenery.
Maryborough has a weekly market on Thursday, and fairs on January
ist FebruaVv 24th, March 2=sth, April 14th, I\Iay 12th, June 5th, July 5th,
August 5th, September 4th, October 23rd, November 13th, and December
4th In 1831, the population of Borris parish, including the town of
Maryborough, is returned as 5.300 ;6o in 1841, it is set down as 5,264
and'living in 806 houses. This parish was a rectory m the dii)ce3e ot
1 ei-hlin \ind the tithe composition was £302 6s. 2d. m 1846.^1 Ihe
Triogue River effects the drainage northwards into the River Barrow, ihe
other chief seats in this parish are Annbrook, Portran. Blooinheld, New-
ixark and Borris. In general, the land is only of a middle quality m this
parish and it is chiefly bog in the northern part. The tithes amounted
to /3Q^ 0, i-Vl in 1S37. The glebe in the parish of Kilcolmanbane
comprised only one acre, while the gross value of the benefice was
/()()7 i6s 4^^ The value of the Maryborough living is now £450.-
tlie Great Southern and Western Railway at present leaves Mary-
borough witlun a two hours' run from Dublin, the metropolis of Ireland.
CHAPTER XIV.— Parish of Castlkrrack.
The pari'^h of Castlebrack forms the eastern portion of Hy-Regan
territory i This tract was also called Dooregan, as shown on the old
Map of Leax and Ophaly. Castlebrack was a part of the latter district,
lying north-east of Ely O'Carroll or O' Carroll's country and not shire-
gi-ound, but comprising a part of the Slieve Bloom range. Ihe source oi
" It is a larc^e building of three storevs. Queen's Cuimties. as also for those of
and built just outside the town in tlie Westincath and Longford. The expense
be-mnmL-of the last century.havnig been of building and 22 acres of ground was
opened In 1S08. /24.172. „ . . . u 1
" These are intended to accommodate " The new Protestant church was
a company of infantry, but they are built in the beginning of the last
seldom occupied bv tlie military. century. Ihe board of hirst l-ruit^ con-
5^ This was comi.leted in 1830, at a tnbutecl £500 towards its erection
cost of £18,500. It is built on the radia- =« This was at first erected by the
ting plan and surrounded by a lugh Very Rev. Nicholas O Connor P.P of
^^.^jl ' Maryborough ; but considerable addi-
6«'lt is intended for the King's and tions were made by his successor, Very
'':':d^
RLI.NS OF CASIlJilJRACK CHURCH.
/•//.'/, ^v/,r I
SHH OF CASriJ:I{RACK CASII^K.
a:?: /,. t'7..
\'..i. I.
:-C |);i;^c l<)<).
PARISH OF CASTLl-P.KACK. IQQ
tlie Barrow is also shewn within it. On that Map it is marked Yregan —
O'dun, and Baun Kcijjan is written across it, near the source of tlie
Barrow ; but that name is not to be found in any part of the territory
at present. According to John O'Donovan it is not of ecclesiastical
origin, and in his opinion is not of great antiquity as it does not appear
to have had a patron saint. He also tliinks, that this parish had been
formerly divided between the parishes of Rosenallis and Rear\niore,
and that the old church which lies ruined in the townland of Castlebi ack
had been only a chapel-of-ease to the castle, from which its name had
been received.-
The parish of Castlebrack, situated in the barony of Tinnahmch,
contains 9,275 a. 3 r. 24 ^.,3 in the most northerly part of the Queen's
County. A large portion of it is under bog, and the surface is mostly
level, the highest ground being only 4SS ft. above the sea. The River
13arrow flows some miles on its western boundary. Castlebrack had
iive townlands with 200 acres of profitable lands, and a glebe rated at
/15 per annum, worth £6 m 1657.4 Barnaby Dunne, Esq., was then
the patron. Here a castle, once strong and stately, had been erected by
the Dunne family. Its last inhabitant was a Colonel Dunne's
This parish had its name from that castle, which has been long since
in ruins. A. httle to the north of this building stands — but of a more
modern date— another old castle called Roskeen, of- which httle now
remains. The only remarkable mansion in this parish is Cappalough.
There is a remarkable moat at Castlebrack. Tn the beginning of the last
century, the occupying tenant of the farm on which it was situated,
L. M'Evoy, found under it some subterraneous passages.6 in the village
annual fairs are held on the i6th of I\Iay, on the 12th of August, and
on the 15th of November. 7
This parish was a vicarage, and part of Oregan benehce, in the
Rev. l;iniL-s J. Taylor, D.D., and p.p. of 2 See the letter of John O'Donovan,
the parish. dated Stradbally, Deceml)er 8th, 1838, in
f^y Founded by the Very Rev. Nicholas " Letters containing Information re-
O'Connor, and since his time greatly lative to the Antiquities of the Queen's
enlarged and improved. County, collected during the Progress of
«" The Ecclesiastical Authorities state the Ordnance Survey in 1838," vol. i.,
it at only 5,2^4. pp. 212 to 21O.
''1 See " I'arliamentary Gazetteer of 3 It is shown on the ' Ordnance Survey
Ireland," vol. ii., p. 7 ^7- Townland iMai)s for the Queen's County,"
"- See the " Irish Cliurch Directory and Sheets i, 3, 4, S,
Year-Book for 1903," p. 125. * See William Shaw Mason's " Statis-
1 An account of the division of Iregan tical Account or Parochial Survey of
into four parts, places Castlebrack and Ireland," vol. iii.. No. xvi. " Union ui
its appurtenances in the hrst division, Rosenallis or Oregan, Diocese of Kildarc
and it is thus described : " The Castle of and Leighlin," by the Rev. John Baldwin
the towne of Castlebracke, the hall, the Curate, sect. iv.. p. 318.
parlour, att the end of the hall, the = See Sir Charles Coote's " General
kitchen', the brewe-house, the l>ack- View of the Agriculture and Manu-
house, and the west of the houses, within factures of the Queen's County," chap.
the Bawen, the haggart, the barnes, on i., sect. 3. p. 10.
the south side of the castle, the garden, " See William Shaw Mason's " Statis-
the orchard, the parke, the stable, and tical Account or Parochial Survey of
the houses for cattell on the west syde, Ireland," vol. iii., No. xvi. " Union of
and all others the houses and tenements, Roscnalhs or Oregan, Diocese of Kildare
for tenements, and other uses, situated aud Leighlin," by the Rev. John
on the north and west partes of the said Baldwin, Curate, sect, iv., p. 318.
towne of Castlebracke in the territorie 7 Sre the " National Gazetteer," vol. i.,
of Iregan, and in the Queen's Countie." p. 508.
200 HISTORY OF THE QUEEN S COUNTY.
dioceses of K '' 're, Dublin and Glendalough. The glebe-house of
Castlcbrack c ted only of the house and a small garden adjoining
the burial-gro '. The population in 183T was 1,855. Ii^ 1S34, the
Roman Cath( ' population was found to be 1,724 ; the Protestants
numbering 126. In 1S37, the tithes amounted to /210 2s. 6d., of which
;^I40 IS. 8d. w.'s payable to the impropriator, and the remainder to the
vicar.8 In 1811, the population reached 1,924, living in 318 houses.9
In 1846, the vicarial tithes were compounded for ^^70 os. lod., and the
rectorial tithes for ;^I40 is. 8d., the latter being im{)ropriate in General
Dunne of Brittas. In the Roman Catholic parochial arrangement,
Castlebrack is united with Rosenallis.
CHAPTER XV. — ^The Parishes of Clonenagh and Clonagheen.
The very extensive and now united Parishes of Clonenagh and
Clonagheen,! spread into the baronies of Cullcnagh - and Mary-
borough East, 3 but chiefly into the barony of Maryborough West.-i
The greater part of its surface is boggy or of second-rate quality ; it
includes some minor elevations of the Slieve Bloom range towards
the west. The River Nore in great part tlows through it, and a small
tributary called the Shannon, on which the town of Mountrath is
situated ; while the Ownass stream, which joins the River Barrow,
describes the northern parochial boundary. The former excellent coach-
road from Dublin to Limerick intersects Clonenagh and Clonagheen 5
south-westerly, passing through the town of Mountrath. The public
road as also ilie railroad, from Maryborough to Abbe\'leix, runs through
the eastern verge of Clonenagh and Clonagheen Parishes ; much bog,
with poor reclaimed land, and some fir plantations, extending on either
side. 6
During the eighteenth century the village of Clonenagh was the
nucleus of a parish so named, in the Barony of Maryborough West,
and situated about two miles eastward from the town of Mountrath. 7
It has now dwindled to a few scattered houses and cabins, still standing
near the site of its " Seven Churches," formerly so celebrated. All
these have long since disappeared ; however, some ruins remain, and
three places for interment. ^"^ Two of these are yet greatly frequented
8 See Lewis' " Topographical Diction- jNIap was admeasured by Ambrose
ary of Ireland," vol i., p. 290. Yorke ; the date, however, is burned
1 They are shown on the " Ordnance oil. Boyley is the only church to
Survey Townland Maps for the (Queen's be seen within its boumls.
County," Sheets 6, 7, 11, 12, 13, 16, "See "Ordnance Survey Townland
17, iS, 23, 24. Maps for the Queen's County," Sheet 18.
2 This portion contains jjia. 3>-. 23/5. ^ See the account of Clonenagh
3 This portion contams 4,645^. ir. Parish in the letter of John O'Donovan
16/'. dated, Mountrath, November 24th,
^ This portion contains 41,770a. \r. 1838, in " Letters containing Information
10/5. relative to the Antiquities of the
^ On Sir William Petty's maps, the Queen's County in 183S," vol. i.,
parish of Clonkeene or Cloneheene pp. 38 to 80.
is represented on a larger scale, with § One of these, on a mound of steep
its townland denominations, and the ascent, seems now to be seldom dis-
various acres of arable, meadow, pasture, turbed, although a few rude head-stones
bog and shrub lands. This particular are to be found in it.
PARISHHS OF CLOXENAGII AND CI.ON At . II i:i.\. 20l
and used by people living throughout all the adjaeent country. A
number of surging hillocks rise here to a consideral)lc elevation over
bogs and declivities that surround the site, which forms a very beautiful
configuration of ground. Cluain-zEdnach or Cluain-Eidhniach is stated
to have been in Laoighis or Leix,9 according to old documents. That
it was a place of great importance formerly is known, not only because
it was styled the great Cluain-Eadnach, but owing to the historic interest
with which it has been invested, and the frequent recurrence of its
referential entries in our Irish Annals. We are told, but incorrectl3%
that Clonenagh was anciently called Cluain-Aitchin.^o Cluain-yEdnach,
however, was the former mode for spelling this name ; and Cluain-
Aitchin — not far from this place — was another form for Clonkeen. Some
writers have rendered the denomination of Cluain-Eadnach, in Latin,
" Latibulum Haederosum," ^^ or in English, "The Ivied Retreat," ^^
but without suificient warrant. The foundations of various old buildings
are yet traceable at this place. However, the ruins of any church,
having an antiquity of more than four centuries, are not to be seen there
at present. 13
The great monastery of Clonenagh owed its origin to the celebrated
St. Fintan, the son of (_Kibhran.i4 He was born, it is supposed, at Clonkeen
in Leix, not far from Maryliorough, according to a local tradition, nor
is this opinion disjn'oved b}' any ancient record. It has been stated,
that he and St. Brigid are derived from a common ancestor, ^ 5 both of
them descending from Eochaidh Finnfuathairt's race.^^ The stone
whereon Fintan had been baptised was shown, or at least there was
a tradition regarding it, in mediaeval times. ^7 From early youth he
was distinguished for his remarkable virtues, and his religious training
began at Tirdaglas, near Lough Derg, on the River Shannon, where
Columba,iS the son of Crimthann, had founded a celeljrated monastery,
'.-arly in the sixth century. i'' According to Colgan, St. Columba,
" Nothing can be more inaccurate by the glossographer to the FeiUre of
than Abbe MacGeoghegan's statement, St. iEngus, in the " Leabhar Breac " copy,
that it lay within the country of Hy- who states that Finntan was the son
Regan, and that St. Fintan founded of Gaibrene, son of Bresal, who was
also the Abbey of Achad-Ardglais, son of Den, and that here he and Brij^it
otherwise called Achad-Finglass in the meet in their i)e(ligrees, as Fintan sjkI :
same territory. See " Histoire d' " xXni]u\ imntieom biK\ijiijv\
Irlande, Ancieune et Moderne," tome i., T)oiu\Ia potmiicifi IJi-'g'-' poum
seconde partie, chap, iii., p. 298. niichip-fij
^^ See Rev. MerN-x'n Archdall's Cipe mipAf |\unti ^'ociii
" Monasticon Hibernicum," p. 591, "Oejib tjojiia xioni'oife."
n (f^'j. In luiglish it is thus rendered —
" See Usshcr's " Britaunicarum Ec- " Womlrous this anvil of victory
clesiarum Antiquitatcs," cap. xvii.. Which has come on my time !
p. 498. Whosoever turns here thrice
12 See Rev. M. J. Brenan's " Ecclesia- Will surely come again."
stical History of Ireland," sixth century, See "The Calendar of Oengus,"
chap, ii., p. 81. edited by W'diitley Stokes, LL.D., p. Hi.,
1^ See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of tlie in "Transactions of the Royal Irish
Fcmr Masters," vol. i., n. (g), p. .^71. Academy," Irisli MS. Series, vol. i.
1* Colgan has jiublished an old Life '« Sec Colgan's " Trias Thanmaturga,"
of this saint, illustrated with notes. Appendix Quarta ad Acta S. Brigidce,
and an Appendix, in five chapters, cap. 3, p. 61,^.
See " Acta Sanctorum Hibemia?," xvii. i'' See ibid., n. (f).
Februarii ; Vita S. Fintaui, Abbatis is His feast occurs at the 13th of
de Cluain-Ednech, pp. 349 to 3^7. December.
'■■Such at least is the account given i'-' Sic the Life of St. Fintan.
202
HISTORY OF THE QUEEN'S COl^NTY
the son of Ciimthauii, ^vas the first Abbot ot CloiK-.uiL^h and afterwards
he became the first Abbot over Tn'daghiss, havnii^ died a.u. 54«--'
However, it seems quite clear, from the old Life of bi. Inntan,^' soir oi
Gabhran, which Colgan has published, that the lormer samt was the
spiritual director of the latter, whom he counselled to erect his habitation,
and m this particular situation.^^ In former times, even dating back
to St Fmtan's rather inconvenient recourse was had to Cionenagli,
by p-ople who disturbed the retirement of its founder. As a consequence
he sought a more secluded position among the adjoining recesses ot
Slieve Bloom, until directed by St. Columba, the soii of Crimthann,
to seek the place first chosen for his habitation. Thus begun the
religious career of the renowned St. Fmtan, the son of Gabhran, who
was abbot here, and he flourished about the year 5bo,=3 presiding over
a number of laborious and fervent monks. From its earliest foundation
the monastery became remarkable for the austerity of that rule -4
established by St. Fintan ; but it was also distinguished for a seminary,
which trained St. Comgall,-5 afterwards Abbot of Bangor, and some
rarly fathers of the Irish church, as also several foreigners, who resorted
thither from distant countries. As Gaul furnished a considerable con-
tingent Clonenagh was called the Gahic school. Hospitality was a
virtrrf 'recorl^mended to the monks of this establishment - although
their own manner of living was very strict, and frequent fasts were
enioined So rigorous were the practices of those inmates, that many
aspirants to a recluse life found themselves unable to comply with its
rules of living. Still St. Fintan himself never swerved m a single instance
f om the observances he had instituted.^7 The holy lounder of Clonenagh
died on the 13th of the calends of March,28 having served the Almighty
in a most perfect state. Immediately before his decease, Fintan ap-
pointed another St. Fintan, surnamed Maeldubh, as his successor,
to rule over that monastery, already founded at Cloneiiagh.^9 However
some mistake has occurred m sui>posing that a ^t. Fmtan, son of
Ciimthann, and also abbot here, made such an appointment.30 it has
been conjectured, that St. Fmtan, son of Gabhran, departed this life
before the year SQo, and on the 17th of Februaiy.31 „ , 1
Afterwards 'the Abbot St. Fintan, the son of Crimthann, called also
Corach,33 who was bishop of Clonfert, it is thought, ruled over the
Abbot and Patron of Clonenagh, earth or water, accordi.i,; to the Litany
.< T • \-.f t),r. Tri^h flints' vol 11 26 5(^y IveV. M.. J. isrcnan t. l^i-eicsi.
-Lives of the lu.h ^amts nol u.^ J ^^_^^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^^
February xvu., Art. 1., pp. ^74 to ^.t^^^Jj^^^^^^^ J Christianity into that
20 See Coli?an's "Acta Sanctorum country to the year MDCCCXXIX.
Hibernicc" xvii. Februarii. Appendix Sixth century, chap, u., p. 61
S'Jitam S. Fmtani, Atjatis de Cluain- ;; .ee .^... cja,. 111.^ ,. 90^^^^^^^^^
'-'.fu'is'fikrto ?iave been taken .. Hibenna., x^vii, F^^-^-'V. 'T^.n'
codice '' Kill-Kenniensis.- Fmtan., Abbatis de Cluain-Edaech, cap.
;; III ^SSf- ^[/-Sanctorum ^^^'k!^^ Ujf^f^ |lt,Finta..
HibernL," xvU. Februarii. Appendix taken from the Book of Kilkenny,
ad Acta S. Fmtani. Abbatis de Cluam. ^hap^xxiv^^^^^^^^^^,^ _, Monasticon Hiber-
>Q2.
Ednech, cap. iv., p. 35^- , • . ■ ...
2* The monks partook not of any kmd mciim, p. ^r r. .-c
of food or drmk, save the roots of the 3i See zbid.. n. 26, p. 3.5-
i'AKIMIL-S OF CL()NLNAC;iI AND CLOXAGHICKX. 203
iiKuiastcry of Clunen;it,'li.33 However, it does not seem to be well estab-
i.sh'jcl, that he could have been more than a simi)le monk m this place.
He is said lo have died, according' to some aeeounts, on the 2ist ; 34
others liave it on the 17th of February, in the year 603.35 At this latter
date, Ussher places the death of St. Fmtan, "Abbot of Clonenagh ; yet
he does not seem to distinguish this i-)ersona,i:,'e from the first founder of
the monnsterv.36 h IS stated, also, that the Abbot of Clonenagh, Fintan
.Moeldubh, duel a.d. 625.3? From various calendars and lives of Irish
saints, Colgan supjdies the memorials of holy men and superiors, who
were connected with this monastery during the sixth and seventh
centuries, 3^ nearly in the order we have adopted for their periods. On
the 2ist of October died St. Munna, the son of Tulchan, who was callefl
Fintan. He was bishop and abbot over Clonenagh monastery.39 His
departure from this life has been assigned to a.d. 634. About the
sear 639 died St. Cobban, who at first had founded a monastery at
Old Leiglilin. Having resigned this place to St. Laserian, he chose
another habitation at Killamery, in Ui-Caithrenn in the west of Ossory.
1 1 is said that he had a thousand monks under his direction. Whether he
held jurisdiction over those of Clonenagh or not seems to be unrecorded ;
but it is likely he died tliere, as in it his relics were preserved.4o St.
Aidan, the son of Concrad, was set over Clonenagh. On November
2ist, died the abbot,4i and, as is supposed, som^ time about the
seventh century .42 About the middle of that century, the Abbot
Moasacra, son of Senan, flourished. He is said to have been Abbot of
Clonenagh ; while he belonged also to Tegsacra, or Saggart,43 and
Fionmagh in Lemster. His feast occurs at the 3rd of March, when
Colgan has some notices regarding him.44 At the year 685, the Abbot
Ossen is incorrectly introduced, as belonging to Clonenagh ; 45 rather
is he called Bishop of Mainister where his death is rccorded.46
The Abbot Maelaithgen next appears on record, and he is venerated
as a saint at the 21st of October. The great monastery of Clonenagh,
under direction of the saintly Abbot Malathgenius, had enjoyed a high
reputation, both for the number and sanctit\' of its inmates. During
the time of Maelaithgen's rule over this house, and about the middle
^' Because of his melodious voice, *'^ He is :ilso called Gobban-Fionn,
it is thought, and of a supposition that and his least is entered at the 6th of
as a chorister, he taught the monks a December, in the " Martyrology of
new style for singing psalms. Donegal." See Drs. Todd and Reeves'
^3 See Archdall's " Monasticon edition.
Mibernicum," p. 592. " See Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum
^' See some account of him, at that Hiberni.e," xvii. Februarii. Appendix ad
date, in Rev. John Canon O'Hanlon's Acta S. Fintani, Abbatis de Cluain-
" Lives of the Irish Saints," vol. ii., Ednech, cap. iv., p. 356.
.Art. ii, pp. 657 to 660. *- See Archdall's "Monasticon Hiber-
^■' See Harris' "Ware," vol. iii., book i., nicum," p. 592.
chap. XV., p. 302. *■' Near Tallaght, and about six or
'■^° See " Britannicarum Ecclesiarum seven miles from Dublin.
Antiquitates," cap. xiu., p. 237, cap. ** See " Acta Sanctorum Hibernire,"
xvii., ji. 498, and inde.x Chronologicus, IMartii iii. De S. Sacro sive JNIosacro,
p. 536, at A.D. DCni. Abbate, p. 454.
^^ See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum ^^ See Archdall's "Monasticon Hiber.
Hibernia\" xvii. Februarii. Appendix nicum," ]). 592.
ad Acta S. Fintani, Abbatis de Cluain- *" See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of
Ednech, cap. iv., p. ^^6. the Four Masters," vol. i., pp. 292, 293.
'*' See iliid. *'' His supposed festival and acts have
39 Sec Md. been set down by Colgan at the iitii
204 HIST(M<V OF Till/ OUEl'LN S COUNTY.
ft
of the eighth centui\y, /Eiigus, the celebrated son of Ocngobhan, more
generally known as the Culdee,47 preferred his suit for admission within
its enclosure, and his request was favourably received. But his earl\-
noviciate, in the exercise of all virtues, had jn'eceded the care bestowed
by that holy abbot, on his youthful disciple. His daily progress in
the paths of Christian sanctity, and his advancement in sacred learning,
were aided by application and capacity, to such an extraordinary degree,
that in a short time he bore the reputation of being one among the most
sanctihed and erudite men, of whom Ireland could then boast. St.
.Engus must have been a disciple of St. Malaithgen before the year yGyA^
That other yEngus, who wrote his eulogy in ek-gant metre, has told us,
/Engus the Culdee had studied from boyhood in the monastery of Clone-
nagh. Afterwards, when he had been celebrated for his miracles, he
hved in the monastery of Tallaght, before St. Alelruan's death, which
occurred a.d. 7S7. It is supposed therefore to follow, that he studied in
the monastery of Clonenagh under St. Alalathghen ; 4') and most probably
he was a religious there, even after the death of that holy Abbot. Erom
Clonenagh, he went at first to Dysart Enos, as has been supposed —
and thence he proceeded to Coolbanagher, not far distant. From this
latter place, he went to Tallaght, near Dublin. There he is thought
to have laboui-ed, with the holy Abbot, St. Maelruain,^" ni comi)iling
the famous " Martyrology of Tallaght," which has CQuie down to our
time. "51 The distinguished superior Maelaithgen,5- alias I\Ioetlogan,5-5
Abbot of Cluain-Eidhneach, died in the year of our Lord 767. His name
is Latinized Maelathgenius.54 After leaving Tallaght, according to
some accounts, the celebrated anchorite St. /Engus retired to his first
chosen place, near the Al)bey of Clonenagh. Erom him it afterwards
of March ; but in reality we liave some of the Calcjular or ' ]\Iartyrology of
reason to doubt that many of those Tallaght.' referred to by Colyan, wliich
conjectures regarding him are well is, however, itself also unfortunately
established. imperfect, owing to the loss of a leaf.
*8 The death of " Maelaithgen, Abbot The defect includes the whole of
of Cluain-Eidhneach," occurred in the November and the first sixteen days
year 767. See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of December. This Calendar is a
of the Four Masters," vol. i., pp. 370, transcript of a very ancient martyrology,
^71. The feast of St. Malathgenius containing a list of the saints and
IS observed on the 21st of October, martyrs ot the universal Church under
according to our Irish Calendarists. each day of the year, the Irish saints
*^ See Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum being added at tlie end of each day,
Hiberni;c," xi. Martii,-)n. 4, p. 5S2. and separated from the rest by a
'•'^ His feast occurs on the 7th of peculiar mark. The Calendar com-
July. mences on Christmas day, and not
'■i This work was contained in the as is more usual, on the Kalends of
" Book of Leinster," a MS. of the January. At the beginning is this
twelfth century, preserved in the title in rubric : —
library of Trinity College, Dublin, but " Incipit Martira oengluisa mc Oibleau
it has long disappeared from that volume, at Maolruain ic " (i.e., hie),
which is now very imperfect. Neverthe- Here basins the Alaftyrolugy of CEngns
less, the Rev. Dr. Todd states : "During Mac Oibleau and Maolntaiit.
my visit to Rome, in 1862, I found ^'- See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of
eleven of the missing leaves of this the Four Masters," vol. i., pp. 370, 371.
precious manuscript (which I recognised ^3 See Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum
at once), among the documents kindly Hiberniie," xi. Martii, De S. /Fngusio
shown me by tiie superior of St. Isidore's Hagiagrapho, Episcopo et Confessore,
convent. These leaves contain some u. 4. p. 582.
of the curious tracts attributed to ^* See ibid., xvii. Februarii. Appendix
Aengus Cede De, together with a copy ad Acta S. Fintani, cap. iv., p. 356.
TAKi^in -1 oi- cl()Ni;n'.\(;ii and ri.(-)NAr,iii:EN. 205
I'ore tlu- ii.iiiu- t.l l)i-<-it .1Cn,L;ui>, or l)\>art Knos. Thence he returiKtl
to ('liii'.<n.iL,'ii. It IN not known ;it which of these jilaces he wrote
the w.Il-kn"\sn I'<ihrc, or Fcstilogy.^^ That the writer of this poem
U.I-, .il.!.>t .it ClotUTiaj^h, as also at I)isert-Aen,i;ns, is possilTe ; and
("i'K;.in <<!--< rv^■^, that his own hints are e\-en stron^^er as to the
l.itt<T I K-.> <■. 'lh:s matter can easily he settled. As both places lay
I!' .ir 1 .1' h other, within the Ixirony of Maryborough, Aengus might have
\\xu »<;:;;.., ted with Ixjth these establishments. Disert-Aengus, which
t:oit;i!.-:i«' d with lumself, may be considered simply as a cell to the
older .«:id ^'rv.itj-r monastery at Clonenagh ; or most probably it formed
>>;\r .,! tiif'X' earlier missionary stations, when a priest hved in connexion
ujth tJie • hurcli, and ministered to the spiritual necessities and con-
^'>l.^!I'<:iS oi a niral j)Oj-)ulation. The early Christian pastors of former
\u^U j .inshcs ^<ein to have lived in a very simple and austere manner.
Y( t Jt !•» jw>>MhIc the spot chosen for his last retreat was Disert Bethech,
'•; l>.^» riU .igh, not far from the River Nore.
lU-|<«:c the commencement of the ninth century, no less than eight
l-i:;t.ui>, commemorated as saints, NV^ere buried at Clonenagh; while it
wa> found inipo-^sible to count other monks who were there interred,
.1^ *'.i!'d in the Litany attributed to St. .Engus the Culdee.56 This
iuAv and learned anchorite died, it has been supposed, on the nth
.M.ireh, between the years S19 and 830.57 According ^to some, his life
•■tided at Clonenagh ; others have it at Disert Bethach, not far from
that monastery.
Onoting MacGeoghegan for his authority, Archdall states ^s that
t!i.- .Abljey of Clonenagh was destroyed by the Danes, a.d. 838. Another
liitrv has it, that the foreigners ])lundered Clonenagh in 840.59 It
'<eem^, that in a double capacity over Clonenagh ruled Aid, a venerable
abbot, who was also the abbot of Tirdaglass, near Lough Derg, in
the County of Tipperary. Having in the year 843 destroyed the fortress
<«l Dunamase, in this country of Leix, the Danes carried him into Munster,
■■'■' In his Introduction to " Martyrology gaje the faith among pagans, or who were
..( Donegal," the Rev. Dr. Todd thus buried in the same monastery, or lived in
lichcnlics thi' I'l-'ilire of -Engus Ceilc Do : communion in the same church, or
■' l'"()ur lines in rhyme are devoted to lastly, who ^vere joined together hv
c.uh day uf the year, and the author any other like titles." The vast
h.ii imjiosed on himself the task of number of foreign saints who were
introducing into those four lines the buried in Ireland, whose intercession
names of the saints commemorated on is invoked in this Litany, alfords tlu'
tl'.,it ilay. The copy of tliis work strongest proof of the great inllux ol
pieserved in the lilirary of the Royal foreign ecclesiastics to Ireland in the
Irish Academy, and a still more perfect fifth and sixth centuries. The I.itany
copy in the Bodleian Library, Oxfortl, has been published in the " Irish ]'~.ccle-
are accompanied by a copious inter- siastical Record," First Series, vol. iii., p.
linear gloss and scholia, containing some 38=;.
\-ery curious legends and traditions, " gee Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum
which throw great light on the ancient Hibernian," xi. Martii, De S. /Engusio,
state of religion and of society in Ireland Hagiographo, Episcopo et Confessore,
down to the eleventh century." cap. xvi., p. 582.
''" " The Litany of yT2ngus," written 58 g^'e " Alonasticon Ilibernicum," p.
about 79S, is descrii:)ed by Sir James 592.
Ware, as " A book of litanies in which, so y^-e Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of
in a long series of daily prayers, are the Four Masters," vol. i., pp. 462, 463.
invoked some companies of saints so See Colgan's " .Acta Sanctorum
who were either school-fellows under Hiberni.e," xvii. Februarii. Appeiuhx
the same master, or, wlio joined in ad Acta S. Fintani, Abbatis dc Cluain-
sociely under the same leader, to pro])u- Ednech, cap. iv., p. 356.
2o5
HISTORY OF TJIK OUEF.N S COUNTY.
and there, on the Sth of July, they crowned him with martyrdom.^"
The abbot Laichtene, of Clonenagh monastery, died a.d. 866.'^ i The
abbot Ainbhchcllach,6- son to Fonascach, also styled Ainbeceally
MacFonasky, died in the year S72. His name is Latmized Anbhchei-
lachus, filius Fonaschii.63 The Abbot Colga, son to Caithniadh,'^4
also called Colgc ^IacCothnia,65 died in the year 890. His name is
Latinized Colgus filius Catlinire.^S In the year 898, '^7 the abbot Mael-
carain, or IMoel Kieran, of Clonenagh, departed this life.^^ He also was
abbot of Tirdaglass. His name is Latinized ''9 as IMoel Kieranus Abbas
de Cluain-ednech et Tyrdaglas. Tibraide,7o or Tiopraide,7i Latinized
Tipradiiis, bishop of Cluain-ednech, departed this life in the year 909.''-
That a bishop, as distingushed from the abbot, usually resided at Clone-
nagh, is very cleaidy shown, not only from the circumstance, that at
this year and in the same place, another monastic superior dej^arted
to another world beyond the grave, but his name even is quite a different
one from that borne bj' the bishop. In the year 909 73 the abbot of
Cluain-eidnech, who is named Litheach, was called away from this life. 74
The monastery was plundered and destroyed, according to Archdall,
in both the years 009 and 919, but this appears to be an error, in the
first instance due to a t3'pographical inaccuracy in Colgan's work. In
the year 919, the abbey of Cluain-eidncach was ]:)hindered, 75 wlille the
oratory of Mochua,76 and Fearna-mor-Maedhog 77 were, burned by the
foreigners. "s In 922 79 died Duibhlitir,79 abbot of Cluain-eidhneach.
His name is Latinized Dubhlitirius Abbas de Cluain-edhnech.Si
In the year 927^2 departed the abbot of Cluain-eidhneach, Tuathal,
son of Maelcarain, or, as rendered otherwise, Toole MacMaoilciar.ui.'.i
"1 See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of
the Four Masters." vol. i., pp. 504, 505.
"-' See ibid, pp. 518, 519.
•^^ See Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum
Hibernian" xvii. Februarii. Appendix
ad Vitam S. Fintani, Abbatis de Cluain-
Ednech, cap. iv., p. 356. A typographi-
cal inaccuracy has substituted T for F
in his father's name.
"* See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of
the Four Masters," vol. i., pp. 544, 545.
•^5 See Archdall's " MonasUcon Hiber-
nicum," p. 592.
'^^ See Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum
Ilibernia;," xvii. Februarii. Appendi.x
ad Vitam S. Fintani, cap. iv., p. 356.
•^^ See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of
the Four Masters," vol. i., pp. 556, 557.
'•s See Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum
Hibernias," xvii. Februarii. Appendi.x;
ad Acta S. Fintani, cap. iv., p. 356.
i^'-' See Archdall's " Monaslicon
llibernicum," p. 592.
"^ See Duald MacFirbis in " Pro-
ceedings of tlie Royal Irish Academy."
Irish MSS. Series. Vol. i., Part i., pp.
100, 101. See, also. Dr. O'Donovan's
'■ Annals of the Four IMasters," vol. ii.,
pp. 5 So, 58 1 .
■''•See Archdall's " IMonasticon lliber-
nicum," p. 59-.
''" Sec Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum
Ilibernia'," xvii. Februarii. Ajipi'udix ad
Acta S. i''intani, cap. iv., \). 350.
■'^ A typograpliical inaccuracy in
Colgan's work has the date 919. See
Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the Four
Masters," vol. ii., ])p. 580, 5S1. Archdall
has rightly corrected the error in his
" Monasticon tliberiiicuni," [1. 59J.
"^ See Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum
IIil)eini:e," x\'ii. Februarii. Appendix
ad Acta S. Fintani., ca[). iv., p. 356.
'-' See Colgan's " Truis Thaumaturga,"
P- '^3?'-
■''' Now Timahoe, Queen's County.
■'■' Now Ferns, County Wexford.
"8 See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of
the Four Masters," vol. ii., pp. Oo(), 607
''•> See Archdall's " Monasticon Hiber-
nicura," p. 592.
'" See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals o
the Four Masters," vol. ii., pp. 610, 611
''i See Colgan's " Acta Sanctorun
IIiberni;e," x\-ii. I'ebriiarii. Apjieiuiix
ad Acta S. hintaui, Al>l)atis de Cluain-
Ednech, ca]:). i\'., p. 350.
*=- See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of
the Four IMasters," vol. ii., pp. 620, 621.
^'^ See Archdall's " Monasticon Hiber-
nicum," p. ;02.
*** See Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum
PARISHES O^ CLONENAGII AND CLONACillEEN.
207
This name is Latinised Tuathalius, Alius i\Ioel-Kierani.^4 In the year
^37, Ceallachan, the King of Cashel, assisted by the Danes of Watertord,
laid waste the country of Meath as far as Clonard.'^S They pillaged
and sacked this monastery of Clonenagh,S6 with that of Killachaidh,^?
making the abbots Conchaur and Muredach prisoners. These are
called, likewise, Muireadhach Ua Conchobhair, and Coibhdeanach,
son of Beargdha. Owing to the apposition of the Four Masters, we
may consider the first-named to have been the Abbot of Clonenagh.^^
Again, Ceallagh, the son of Eporan, Bishop of Clonenagh,S9 died ni
the year 940.90 Xhis entry is Latinized as Ceallachus fiUus Eporani,
1-^piscopus de Cluain-edhnech.91 Gormghilla, the son of Ceandubhain,
became arch-prior of this abbey. He was barbarously murdered by
the neighbouring inhabitants 92 in the year 965.93 Some of the Ossorians
are charged with this murder.94 Muireadhach Ua Conchobhair, or
C)'Conor,95 who was bishop and successor to Finntan of Cluam-eidhneach,
died A.D. 970.96 xt seems most probable, that he was the abDot already
named, and who had been taken prisoner in the year 937, thus surviving
that event thirty-three years. He was probably very old at the time
ol his death. By Colgan 97 he is called Muredachus Oconchubhair.
We are informed that Diarmit, who had been a lector or professor at
Kildare, and a man of uncommon eruditioa,9S became aboot over
Clonenagh. Lie is called likewise a scholastic of Kildare, while he was
remarkable for his exquisite literary acquirements.99 His fame and
virtues were recorded in an Irish poem, from which the following lines
have been translated : —
" Diarmaid, stronghold of noble wisdom, a man of generous fame,
of great battle ;
Pity, O king of the righteous laws, that death has now approached
"him." 100
Hibcrniaj," xvii. Februarii. Append'x s-' See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of
ad Acta S. Fintani, cap. iv., p. 356. the Four Masters," vol. ii., pp. oSS, 68(j.
"'' See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of ^^ See Colpan's " Acta Sanctorum
the Four ]Masters," vol. ii., pp. 638, ll!bernix>," xvii. Februani. Appendix
630. acl Acta S. Fintani, cap. iv., p, 356.
'''' See Archdall's " Munasticon Iliber- "^ See Archtlall's " Monasticon Hiber-
nicum," p. 59S. nicuin," p 593.
*>'' Now Killeigh, in the Kinf^'s County. '•"'• See Duald jNIacFirbis, in " Pro-
'■^ Colgan, however, has " Conchuarus ceedinps of the Royal Irish Academy."
ct Muredachus de Cluain-Fdhnech et Irish MSS. Series. ■ Vol. i., part. ' i.,
Kill-Achaidh capti," &c. See " .Acta pp. 100, lor. Also, see Dr. O'Donovan's
Sanctorum Hibernia2," xvii. Februarii. " Annals of the Four Masters," vol. li.,
.Appendix ad Acta S. Fintani, Abbatis pp. 694, 695.
Cluain-Fdnech, cap. iv., p. 356. "^ See "Acta Sanctorum Iliberni.e,"
'^^ See Archdall's "Monasticon Pliber- xvii. Februarii. Appendix ad Vitam
nicum," p. 593. S. Fintani, Abbatis de Cluain-Ednech,
^0 See Duald MacFirbis in "Pro- cap. iv. p. 356.
ceedings of the Royiil Irish .Vcademy." ''^ See Arclidall's " Monasticon Hiber-
Irisii MS. Series. Vol. 1., part, i., pp. nicum," p. 592.
100, loi. Also, Dr. O'Donovan's ^^ See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum
" .Xnnals of the Four Masters," vol. ii. Hibernian," xvii. Februarii. Appendix
pp. 644, G45. ad Acta S. Fintani, Abbatis de Cluain-
"1 See "Acta Sanctorum Hibernic," Fdnech, cap. i\^, p. 350.
xvii. Februarii. Appendix ad Acta 1°" See Dr. O'Donovan's " .Annals of
S. Fintani, Abbatis de Cluain-Ednech, the Four Masters," vol. ii., pp. 7J8,
cap. iv., p. ^^6. 729.
"2 Thus is it stated in Archdall's io» See Colgan's "Trias Thauma-
*' Monasticon Hibernicum," p. 593. turga," p. 633.
208 mSTORY OF THE QUEEN'S COUNTY.
He died in the year 991. loi In the year 1007, Tuathal O'Conchobhair,
successor to Finntan — most probably of Clonenagh — died.'"- The
noble Donghal Ua Coibhdheanaigh, or Donnghal 0'Coibhdeany,io3
a priest of Cluain-eidhneach, departed this life in the year 1071.104
]3y Colgan he is styled Donnghalius Ocorbhdhcanaigh, pra^sbyter de
Cluaineidhnech. Thenceforward we find no historic accounts, and
we may probably attribute the circumstance to a gradual decline,
until a succession of monks had failed to support this ancient estab-
lishment. After the monastery disappeared, Clonenagh was converted
into a parish church. A valuable compilation, comprising some historic
tracts, and known as the Book of Clonenagh, had long been preserved,
after the dissolution of the monastery. It is thought to have
been written by the monks, nor does it appear to have been completed
until after the twelfth century.
When Dr. Geoifry Keating wrote his History of Ireland, io5 early in
the seventeenth century, he refers to it as amongst the books ■■ that
are to be seen at this day," and he quotes many passages from it in the
course of his work. The following extract from the Book of Clonenagh, iot>
relating to the synod of Kells, is given by Keating : — '' In the year
1157, from the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ, being bissextile,
was celebrated in the Spring;, a noble council at Ceannannus, in which
presided Cardinal John, a priest of St. Laurence ; there were present —
twenty-two bishops, and five bishops-elect, and very rnany abbots and
})riors, on the part of the blessed Peter and Paul, and our apostolic
Lord Eugenius. The synod condemned usury and adopted every means
to extirpate it, and commanded that tithes be paid by apostolic authority.
He delivered four palliums to the four archbishops of Ireland, namely —
of Dublin, Tuam, Cashel, and Armagh. ]\Iorcover, he constituted,
as was proper, the Archbishop of Armagh primate over the rest. As
soon as the council was ended, Cardinal John at once set out, and on
the ninth of the Kalends of April, crossed the sea." Then follow
the names of the bishops who took part in the council, amongst whom
we find Finn MacTireeain, bishop of Kildare, and Dungal O'Keilly,
bishop of Leighlin.
In the year 1657, a map of Maryborough barony, in the Queen's
County, was ad-measured by Ambrose Yorke. It appears to Tnclude
the present baronies of Maryborough East and West. The latler
scems to have comprised the parish of Clonenagh, with Cloncheene,
which latter extended into the barony of Cullenagh. Moncrath's
church — now the site for Clonenagh — is marked on the map. 107 Of
1°* See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals »<>'■ Not far away is Ballifinae House
of the Four Masters," vol. ii., pp. (castellated) with its surrounding timber
7 5^' 759- and bog characterized as forfeited lands.
^'^^ See Archdall's " Monasticon Hiber- The River Ownassa bounds them on the
nicum," p. 593. north.
'"♦See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of !"« Not far from it, on the same strean\,
the Four Masters," vol. ii., pp. 900, 901. is the iron mil! at Dysertbeagh. We^t-
1°^ See l^art. ii., edition of 1S41. ward of these denominations the castle.
1'^ There are reasons for thinking from which Castletown derives its name,
that this precious historical treasure is situated on the right bank of the Nore.
was at one time preserved m the library and a church is on the left bank, within
of Ballyfm house, and consequently the present townland denoiniuation
that it may still exist. See " Lives of of Dysertbeagh. The Red Castle of
the Irish Saints," vol. ii., p. 591. Upper Monerath is near Clonenagh.
i .
1, •vii4>VV-H>V.j|^jA 1
ST. FINTAN'S CHUl^CH, CLON f-,N A(iH.
Sl-O p.l-C 20(J.
SHANK or SHKHAN CASI LH.
( I'l. 1111 ( '. in^r'- Aiiii.in'n', ^ .
\-..l.
c i>.il;c 170.
PARISHES OF CLONEXAGH AND CLONAGHEEN. 20Q
course the tovvn of Monerath, designated by a few houses on a stream 108
IS now known as Mountrath. Much of the parish of Clonena^h is there
represented as for eited lands. To the soutli appear denonunations
of several to^ynlands. Amon,^^ these are named Cloanadogas, Roscoltean
Cromoge and its church, Cappabegkinny, Killeany, Scotchrath, where
tluje IS a fort, Iron Mill m Dvsartheagh, "Tinnekilly, Coulty, with woods
and bogs. Knockme^- and Clonrusk are also represented as forfeited,
on the verge of Burres parish. The remainder of Clonenagh parish
consisted of unforfcited lands.109 Clonenagh was a parish, and it had
preserved an old church, witliin tlie diocese of Leighlin, during the
eighteenth century.'-" This was used for the pun)oses of Protestant wor-
ship during the earlier years of the last century, but it was suffered to
lai^se into decay and it was finally unroofed, when another building?
to replace ithad been erected in the town of Mountrath. The adjoining
grave-yard is used as a place of interment, chiefly for Protestants • on
the opposite side of the road, is another cemetery, in which Catholics
exclusively are interred. At least three priests lie interred here •
the tomb-stones are so over-run with weeds and grass, that it is very
dilhcult to decipher tlirm."i On the roadside, the well of St. Fintan
is pointed out. It does not, it is said, occupy its original site, which
was 111 the adjoining lield ; the owner of this held contrived to divert the
spring to the place it occupies at present. An old- tree opposite the
well is popularly supposed to be sacredly connected with it. In some
cavities withm the trunk, water is said to be at all times found, and to which
healing properties are ascribed.
Formerly the Protestant Church was at Clonenagh ; but in 1796 one
more commodious was designed and built, chiefly at the expense of the Earl
of Mountratli I'- in the town from which his title had been derived.
The incumbent has an annual income at present ot /'575.113 The town
had been founded by the Cootu family in 162S. ^"The large bogs ot
Dcrrymore and Derrybeg— the names of which indicate a former growth
ot oak-woods there— extend eastwards from Mountrath. The principal
seat near the town is Forest House, in a park similarly named. The
hvmg m the patronage of the crown was a rectory in the diocese of
Leighlm, and formerly valued at £1,125. The Great Southern and
109 Very nearly corresponding are Haec est requies mea in a-ternuin •
the denommations on the maps copied Hie habitabo quoniam ele^i earn."
by General Valiancy from the originals Two other stones mark the graves oi
in the National Library, Paris. See priests, bearing the following inscrip-
vol 11 No. 64. Record Ollice, Dublin. tions :— " Here lieth the body of the
^ I'oSee Rev Mervyn Archdall's Rev. Daniel Horohan, who departed
Monasticon Hibernicum," pp. 591 to this life the 13th dav of November in
593- ihis work was published in- the year of our Lord, 1749 aged 60
Jm'^V ''■^■' '^^■^' •^^''- vcars." Also " Here lieth the body of the
"1 After a vigorous apphcation of Rev. Denis Lalor, who departed this
brush and water, one of these revealed life the 26th March, 1762 in the 44111
the following interesting inscription : — year of his age "
''Here heth the body of the Revd. 112 See the '"'National Gazetteer"
Lawrence Colkton, Pastor of Clonenagh, . vol. ii., p. 895
Bachelor of Divinity in the Sorbonne, ^^^ Sec "The Irish Church Directory
and Archdeacon of the Diocese of and Year Book for 190^' p 1^4
Leighhn who departed this hfe, the The town and environs of 'Mountrath
of September, in the year of our are shown on the "Ordnance Survey
Lord, 1788, aged, 66 years. Requiescat Townland Maps for the Queen's County ''
in Pace. Sheet 17.
P
210 HISTORY OF THE QUEEN S COUNTY.
Western Railway passes near Ck)nenagh, and has the station named
Mountrath and Castletown. The town of Mountrath, with its fine-
looking, capacious old houses, is of considerable size, and one hundred
years ago was a hive of busy indu^-try, especially in the weaving of
stuffs and tammies — the latter a mixture of homr-grown flax and
imported cotton. A monastery of Patrician Monks has long been
established here, and they conduct a boarding as well as a day-school
for the education of boys. Even previous to this foundation, a convent
for ISrigidine Nuns was provided on the i8th of April, iSoq, bv three
Sisters, who proceeded thither from the mother house in Tullow, County
of Carlow. The Catholic history of Mountrath which is the head
station — and of the parish of Clonenagh, is fully set forth ir- the Most
Rev. Dr. Comerford's " Collections relating to the Dioceses of Kildareand
Leighlin," vol. TIL, pp. 291 to 304. A fine Gothic Catholic Church has
been erected in the town by a former Parish Priest, Very Rev. James
Dunne ; the architect was Mr. John Butler, Dublin. In 1868, there were
five or six chapels and meeting-houses for Presbyterians, Quakers,
and Dissenters. There were also nineteen day schools, nine of which
were National. "4 In the town are a market-house, mills, a brewery
and a police station ; also a dispensary, which last is within the Mount-
mellick Poor-Law Union. Saturday is the market day, and fairs are
held on the 17th of February, St. Fintan's Day, on the 8th of May,
on the 20th of June, on the loth of August, on the 19th of September,
and on the 6th of November.
In Kilbrickan townland, south of Mountrath, and on the banks
of the River Nore, there is a church in ruins.ii5 It is within the orna-
mental grounds surrounding Kilbrickan House. "^ Near Clonenagh
is also the site of the ruins of Red Castle, probably erected in the
sixteenth century.
The very ancient church formerly called Cluainchaoin, and now
written Clonkeen,'i7 was situated a few miles eastward from Clonenagh,
and near to Bocluain. The site is still traditionally remembered ;
and it is at a place now called Churchfields,"^ where an old burial-ground
was still used in the early part of the last century. "9 Another name
by which this locality appears to have been recorded, was Cluain-Aitchenn.
Aticicntly it would seem to have been united as a parish with Clonenagh,
and most jirobably after the monastery disappeared at the latter place. '-o
In old documents this union is called Clonehine or Clonkeen and Clonenagh.
We are told tliat Cluainchaoin was an ancient monastery, not far distant
from Clonenagh. 12 1 Jt is not improbable, that, besides a church, some
religious estal^lishment there existed in remote times. It is possible,
too, that the celebrated St. Fmtan,i22 founder and first Abbot of
Clonenagh, was born at this Clonkeen. 123 Father Hugh Ward has
11* See the "National Gazettrer," >*8 The place has been identified by
vol. i., p. 605. Dr. O'Donovan.
i>* See the " Ordnance Survey Town- ^i" See a wood engraving and a des-
land Maps for the Queen's County," cription of the spot in Rev. John Canon
Sheet 17. O'Hanlon's '' Lives of the Irish Saints,'
11" See ibid. Sheet 23. vol. ii., Art. i. Life of St. Fintan of
'1^ It is in the Barony of Maryborough Clonenagh, chap, i., p. 576.
West, and detineij on the " Ordnance "" We lose historic trace of its
Survey Townland Maps for the Queen's existence after the eleventh century.
County," Sheets 12, 17, iS. ' '2' See Colgan's '' Acta Sanctorum Hi-
PARISHES OF CLONENAGH AND CLONAGHEEN.
211
placed the following saints at Clonkeen ; but as there were other places
so called in different parts of Ireland, we may not too hastily conclude
that all of tliose whose names follow belong to this place : — Thus,
Aruinus or Aaron, said to have been venerated at the 15th of August, 124
Daghdus,i25 whose feast occurs on the i8th of August ; and Dimocus
or I\Iodimocus,i26 who was commemorated at the loth of Dccember,i^7
are all styled bishops at Cluain-Caoin.i^s jt is evident, however, that
the foregoing saints were not all connected with the present locality.
Duald MacFirbis places a bishop named Lugach at Cluain-Aitchenn,
in Leix, assigning his festival to the 6tli of October.i-9 He would,
tlierefore, seem to be identical with a St. Lugech or Lughaidh, mentioned
in the Alartyrologies of Tallaght and of Donegal, at this same date.
The latter martyrology, however, says he was of Cuil Beannchair,i3o
and of Rath Muighe Tuiscirt.131 But we are not able to ascertain the
jieriod when these saints flourished. It was, however, most probably at a
very early date. It is said a St. Fintan had been venerated here 132 at the
nth of May. 133 He died, it is thought, in the year 860,134 uncertain if
he be the same as Finan of Cluain-Caoin, bishop and anchorite. ^5^
However, Dr. O'Donovan states, that he Ijelonged to Clonkeen, near
Ardee, in the County of Louth. The saint, whose feast is recorded
at the nth of May, is called simply Fionntain, of Cluain-Caoin, by the
O'Clerys. By Colgan, he seems confounded with a St. Fionntain,
Priest of Cluaoin-Caoin,i36 who is venerated in our Calendars at the 7th
of February ;i37 but we deem them to have been distinct personages.
bemise," xvii. Febriiarii ; Vita S. Fintani,
Abbatis de Cluain-Ednech, n. 4, p. 353.
1-2 He died on the 17th of February,
and in the sixth century.
1-^ See ibid., Appendix, cap. v., p. 356.
124 Sec Rev. t)Ts. Todd and Reeves,
" Martyrology of Donegal," at this date,
for Aruin, Bishop of Cluaincaoin, pp.
20S, 209.
125 According to the O'Clerys, he
belonged to Inis Caoin Deagha, in the
County of Louth. See Rev. Drs.
Todd and Reeves' " Martyrology of
Donegal," pp. 222, 223.
1*" The same authorities liave the
entry of his feast at the loth of December
as Modiniog, bishop and confessor of
Cluain-cain-Aradh, in Munster (see pp.
330, 331), so that he did not belong to
the Leix Clonkeen.
1" Archdall has it the 8th of December.
See " Monasticon Hibernicum," p. 593.
128 See " Sancti Rumoldi Martyris
Inclyti, Archiej)iscopi Dubliniensis,
Mechliniensium ApostoLi," &c.; " Acta ;"
" Dissertatio Llistorica De Patria S.
Rumoldi," sect. 9, p. 158.
12!* See " Proceedings of the Royal
Irish Academy," Irish MSS. Series,
vol. i., part i., pp. 100, loi.
130 Now Coolbanagher, in the northern
part of the Queen's County, although
this has been questioned by the O'Clerys,
■who find another Cuil-Beannchair on
the brink of Lough Erne. See Rev.
Drs. Todd and Reeves' " Martyrology of
Donegal," pp. 226, 267.
121 This place is said to have been m
Ciarraighe Luachra ; see ibid. The
district here mentioned is now the
County of Kerry.
1^2 The Martyrologies of Tallaght and
of Donegal record this St. Fintan of
Cluaoiu Caoin (Clonkeen) at the nth of
May. Probably it was Cluain-Aitchenn,
in Leix, and where Fintan is yet a
favourite name in many families.
133 See Archdall's " Muiiasticon Hiber-
nicum," p. 593. This writer m mistake
places four other saints in connection
with this monastery, not appearing to
have known there were other Cluaiu-
chaoins or Clonkeens in diiterent parts
of Ireland. As usual, his references
to dates and authorities are very inexact.
i3< See Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum
HibL-rnia^" ix. Januarii. Appendix ad
Acta S. Finani^ Fpiscopi Lindis-
farnensi, cap. i., p. 46.
135 See ibid., xvii. Februarii. Ap-
pendix ad Acta S. Fintani, Abbatis de
Cluain-Ednech, cap. i., p. 355.
138 See I'did. In the similar names
of Irish Saints and their places,
many inaccuracies of identification
occur.
137 An ancient name for Kill-o'-the-
Grange, near Kingstown, was Clonkeen.
212 HISTORY OF THE QUIlEN S COUNTY.
The Church of Clonkeyn is represented here on the old Elizabethan
Map of Leax and Ophaly. In the year i6iO,i3« the rectory of Cloncliine
and Qonenagh was impropriate in one Peter Crosby, who probably
lived at Ballyfin. The serving vicar of both places was Dermit
Horoghan, an old and inhrm man at that time. The value ol this living
was then ;{i6, which represented more than ten times that amoun
at the present day. James Waller was then the curate. At this period,
too, the Church of Clonehine was found to be ruinous, while the chancel
was kept in repair ; and the church was furnished with books. We read
that Clonena and Clonehine (in Maryborough) hath thirty-eight farms,
united and impropriate, m 1640. The union was worth £150, the vicarage
;^"5o, the parsonage /loo, and then valued at £75 per annum. The
patron was Sir K. Crosbie Knt.; ^39 but as he was opposed to the Crom-
wellian party, who afterwards obtamed power, his estates in the Queen's
County were forfeited to the Poles, the Coote family ultunately succeeding
m possession of that district. Now no trace of the former chmcii
at Clonkeen appears, nor even the vestige of a grave, although in a
corner of the open field very rank grass still grows over the burial place
of multitudes who there lie interred. The parish of Clonkeene in Sir
Sir William Petty's Maps has a representation of Boyly Churcli, with
bog and what may be presumed more profitable land. 140 On another
map of Clonenagh and Cloneheene the denominations already set forth
on the barony map are repeated, and the ad-measurements of arable,
pasture, wood and bog lands are given in acres, roods and perches, a.d.
1657. The edges^of this map are burned. The castles, houses and
churches are also marked. Knockmay and Clonrusk are marked.
On the northern or left bank of the River Nore, which separates
Castletown from it, the townland of Dysartbeagh,Mi southwards from the
town of Mountrath, yet preserves the former denomination of old Dysart
Bethech. At a very early period, this place seems to have been a
dependency on the great monastery at Clonenagh ; and probably,
a hermitage had been established there for those monks who chose
to live in seclusion, yet near the parent house. The site of Castletown
on the River Nore has its ruined castle and church presented on Sir
William Petty's Down Survey maps ; while on the opposite bank is
marked there the exact position of Dysart Bethech. M- At present,
not a single vestige of the former religious house can be traced, as the
writer has been informed by people living in that neighbourhood. How-
ever, a careful search, with such a recorded clue as remains, might result
in the wished-for discovery. Little more than two centuries have
In the " Lilier Niger" of Archbishop Parish is Balhgcgill towTiland, with
Alan, this church is said to have been a house there shown. Nothing else
dedicated to a St. Fintan. is to be seen. This Map was ad-
1'** According to the " Liber RcgaUs measured by Ambrose Yorke, a.d. 1657.
Visitationis." ^*^ It lies within the united parishes
^^^ Inquisition taken at INIaryborough of Clonenagh and Clonagheen. It is
on the ijtli of October, 1657, before Sir shewn on the "Ordnance Survey
Chartes Coote, Knight, Baronet and Townland Maps for the Queen's
President of the Province of Coimaught. County," Sheet i6.
See Sir Charles Coote's "General View 1^- See tlie copies by General
of the Agriculture and Manufactures of Valiancy from the cjriginal maps, now
the Queen's County," chaj). i., sect. 3, j reserved in the National Library, Paris,
p. 9. Vol. ii.. No. 62, in the Irish Record
"■^o In a detached portion of this Office, Dublin.
l'.\KI-^Hi;S or { LONKNAGH AND CLONAGIIEEN. 213
tl.ijM-<l. Mine 11 ii.ni .1 ItH-.il jMiMtioii as a proiiiinent land-mark. On
Sir William l*«tt\"b maps a c himh is n,'i)rL->(.'nted within the present
towuJaiul <i<;:ii'm::iatioii i.( 1)\ >-i ihra;-!!, on the left bank of the River
Sou-, aiul htaf to Ca>tK-to\\n. a short distance from Mountrath.MS
old I>;Mtt I'' t.ti.'h may liavc hccii ^o^u•\^lH■^c within or near the woods,
uhi.ii ^:t.'•.v a! pi. ■>- nt'alon^,' tlie rivvr hank ; and even if the walls have
d:vr. ;-.«:< d. th- .: iomuLitions, or the rtlics of an old grave-yard, may still
Ir d, -•''.•:'•! 11 one were luit in exihti-nee before his time, the ccle-
hr.s'.'d M. .L.'iK"* 'h.e Ciildcf may be supposed to have established
•t K<-:jjiit.ii:<-, r.ut far distant from rii>nena,L;h, and at that place called
Uiun i'-rtt.rt t. Aft. r rclutnmt,' liom 'I'allaght to Leix, it has been stated,
Jlui! \w l«rv-4mc Al K)l over Clomna^h ; but it is ]:)0ssible enough, that
J <«-*.;< u'rlv h^ o^-tuj-ied the retired place beside the River Nore. Certainly
ihit L' ini!t.i;;f liad an existence towards the latter part of the eighth
*r:itt:fv. M.ncovcr it seems to have been inhabited by St. /Engus,
il«u;:t th*' U-f:iiuung of the ninth century ; and here, too, it is probable,
\fc wii.tc a cun.sidcrable jjortion of his Feilire — at least, from the account
a-^cxcrdiug, lie finished it at Dysartbeagh.
It would apjK-ar, that the poem of St. /lingus had not been issued-
until after the death of holy Abbot ^Maclruan, which took place a.d. 792,
.iccoid.ng to the best computation. M4 This fact appears still more
evident, as in the Festilogy, the name of Tallaght'c venerable superior
js found recorded, with a suitable eulogy. According to the best accounts,
.ICngus wrote his poem in or before a.d. 798 ; for, so far as can be
ascertained, the name of any saint who died after such date cannot be
discovered in it. MS At the head of a large army. Aid or Aideus the Sixth,
surnamed Oirdnidhe, undertook his expedition against the Leinstcr
jx,-oi)lf, A.D. S04, according to the most correct supposition. He had
summoned the clergy, as well as the laity, to join this hosting, and twice
within a month the monarch devastated Leinster.MO He marched to
this spot, and on the Leix side of the River Nore, the monarch Aitl
seems to have selected a site for his encampment. This was during
the hosting of Dun Cuai into the borders of Meath and Leinster.M?
A very learned man, who api)ears to have been high in favour with the
king, travelled as the monarch's companion, while engaged on this
expedition. This was Fothad or Fothadius, surnamed the Canonist,
owing to his special knowledge of Canon Law, or because of the modiiica-
tions in Irish Church discipline, of which he was the author at that
jK-riod. The king promised to abide by the award of Fothadh
na Canoine, who composed an Irish poem on the subject, and in which
his opinion was forcibly expressed, yet in terms of justice and persuasive-
ness. At this very time, it so happened, that St. /Engus resided at
Disert Bethech, and, no doubt, his reputation and position caused
him to have had interviews with the Irish monarch. Just then the
Culdee had finished his Festilogy. A friendship was here formed between
1*3 This particular map was drawn the Manuscript Materials of Ancient
by Ambrose Yorke, A.n. 1657. Irish History," Lcct. xvii., p. 362.
*^* Such is the correction of Mr. ^"'See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of
O'Donovan, although the Four Masters the Four Masters," vol. i., pp. 408, 409.
place his death at a.d. 737. See Dr. ^*'' See " Transactions of the Royal
O'Donovan's " Annals of the Four Irish Academy," vol. i., Irish Manus-
Ma^ters," vol. i., pp. 392, 393. cript Series. On the Calendar of .-Engus.
'■•■'' See Eugene O'Curry's " Lectures on By Whitley Stokes, LL.D., p. iii.
214 HISTORY OF THE QUEEN S COUNTY.
the saint and Fothadh the Canonist, who showed the poem he had
composed for Aedh's decision. l^efore presenting it to the king, he
desired and received the warm approval of his brother poet.M^i Fothadh
the Canonist is said to have received a present of the Feihre, which
had been first shown to him, from our samt's hands. Having read it
with great dehght, Fothadh solemnly aj^proved and recommended
it for perusal by the faithful. M9 The Canonist returned this comphmcnt
by the bestowal of another work, of which he was the author. Tins
latter treatise is said to have l^een the famous l^emonstrance he drew
up, as addressed to King Aidus. It inveighs against the employment
of ecclesiastics in military services. At this time, the clergy had com-
plained of the grievance inflicted on them ; because they had been obliged
— ^contrary to the spirit of their calling — to take up arms and to engage
in scenes of violence and of bloodshed. Commhach, Archbishop of
Armagh, and the northern clergy, were among the chief remonstrants.
yEngus Ceile De first published or circulated his Festology that very
year, when Aedh Oirdnidhe obtained his full demand from Finsneachta,
King of Leinster, who gave him hostages and pledges.
After the commencement of the ninth century, and w4ien he was
somewhat advanced in years, St. /Engus Hagiographus died. Whether
this event occurred at Dysart Betach, Dysart Enos, or Clonenagh, is
uncertain. Sir James Ware names one or other of^ the years 819, 824,
or 830, conjecturally, as referring to this saint's death, from the cir-
cumstances of the nth March, falling on the jeria sexla, or Friday,^5o
at eacli of these dates. 151 Professor Eugene O'Curry thinks St. /Engus
Ceile De must have died about the year 815.152 Nearly all our writers
seem to agree with the account furnished in his Acts by Colgan,i53 that he
had been buried at Clonenagh.'' 54 A scholiast on the Feilire asserts,
that he was both educated and buried at Dysart Enos. ^ 55 However
it seems very probable, that the latter place has been mistaken for Disert
Bethech, and that here he i-eally died. A very ancient Irish poem
1*8 See Eugene O'Curry's " Lectures '^s ggg " Acta Sanctorum Hiberniae,"
on the Manubcript Materials of Ancient xi. Martii, De S. ii^ngusio Hagiogropho,
Irish History," Lect. xvii., p. 354. cap. xvi., p. 582.
i^'^See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum i=* The " Martyrology of Donegal," at
Hibernio?," xi. Martii, De S. -Engusio the nth of March, thus refers to St.
Hagiographo, cap. xiii., p. 581. .-Tingus : — " ^Engus-na-heblen, bishop,
tf''^ ".-lingusin the assembly of Heaven who is called /linghus Cele-de It is he
Here are his tomb and his bed ; that composed the Feilire. He is of the
It is from this he went to death, race of Irial, son of Conall Cearnach ;
In the Friday, to holy Heaven. and it was at Clnain-eidhnech, on the
It is at Cluain-eidnech he was nursed bank of the Eoir (the Nore), in Laoighis,
At Cluain-eidnech he was buried.; he was fostered; he read his psalms
At Clnain-eidhnech of many crosses, first, and he was afterwards buried.
He read his psalms at first." according to this verse, which is in the
161 "There being good reason to poem which begins:
think that yEngus sui"\'ived the year " Delightful to sit here around him,
8o5, Colgan conjectures that the year of By the side of the cold, clear Eoir."
his death was either 819, 824, or 830; See Ivev. Drs. Todd and Reeves'
whereas in each of them the nth March edition, p. y^.
fell on a Friday." — Dr. Lanigan's i^s Colgan has remarked, that the
" Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," Dysart where he died was possibly
vol. iii., chap, xx., sect x., n. 100, p. 249. not diflerent from CKjnenagh ; if, how-
15- See " Lectures on the Manuscri[)t ever, it was a distinct place, he considers
Materials of Ancient Irish History," .Engus may have died at Dysart, and
Lect. xvii., p. 362. may have been afterwards interred at
PARISHES OF CLONENAGH AND CLONAGHEEN. 215
states, that it was his death-bed, and that here also was his leacht or
monument. No doubt, in past ages, it was long the resort of the pious
))ilgrim ; at present, the very cemetery in which it stood is unknown.
In an old Irish poem, this place is called, " sacred Disert Bethech,"
and " a religious city, by crosses enclosed." Not one of these can now
be found. It was held in such reverence, that it was exempt from
plunder, although populous. ^56 When its church fell into ruins the
site became sohtary, and it presents all around at present tlie features
of rural loneliness.
Almost forgotten at present, but yet situated near the old coach-
road between Maryborough and Mountrath, is the former burial-ground
of Bocluain, It is surrounded by high hedgerows of hawthorn, with
some larger trees of that species now shading the grass-grown graves,
;ind several rude headstones there, are now scarcely visible ; yet, in former
tunes, some kind of a church must have been erected on this site. In
our Calendars, a St. Fraechan, Bishop of Bochluain, to the east of Clone-
iiagh, m Laoighis, seems to have been venerated on the 20th day of
November. 157 The period when he flourished is not known to the
writer ; but it must have been during or before the eighth century ;
tor he IS mentioned in the " Feihre " i5« of St. .Engus, at the same date,
and assigned to the same place. A scholiast on this passage states,
that besides Bochluain in Leix, he was also veneratcid in Druim Daganda
in Dalaradia. According to one tradition, he came from the north,
accompanied by a saint called Escon.i59 Others think the latter term
is a corruption of the text, and that Epscop should be read, which
should simply imply Bishop Froechan. His place is described as having
been right before Sliabh Bladhma, now the Sheve Bloom Mountains.
The etymon Bo-Chluain, in Irish, has been translated " the Cow's
Lawn " or " Meadow." The spot here referred to lies about two miles
south-west from Maryborough. ^^^ It is witliin the united parishes
of Clonenagh and Clonagheen, in the barony of Maryborough East.!*^!
Tlie people formerly had a great veneration for this ancient abode of
mortality ; and the neighbouring inhabitants had their family places
for interment well defined. But, in the famine years, the old wayside
inn and stables for Frederick Bourne's coach-horses were converted into
an auxiliary workhouse. Numbers of paupers died there, or on tlie
Clonenagh. See " Acta Sanctorum Ebcon, because he slew a king of
litberni.c," Martii xi., De S. .Eugusio Leinster, i.e. by the dipping (read
Hagiographo, n. 6, p. 5 82. threatening ?) with his stall, which he
'^s See the author's " Lives of the made at him, while he, the saint, was
Irish Saints," vol. iii., March xi. Art. i. at Bo-Cluain, and the king in a batliing-
St. ^Engussius Hagiographus, chap, iv., tub at Naas. See " The Calendar
n. 20. ■ of Oengus," edited by Whitley Stokes,
'^^ See Rev. Drs. Todd and Reeves' pp. cL-tiv., cl.xix., clxx. " Transactions
" Martyrology of Donegal," pp. 314, 315. of the Royal Irish Academy," Irish
168 Xhere we read — Manuscript Series, vol. i.
guiT) efcon l<\ piioecliATi ^'^^ Thus identified by William M.
A|i t)teT)niA bAle. Hennessy, M.R.I.A. See "Proceedings
It IS rendered into English thus : — u£ the Royal Irish Academy," Irish
" Beseech Escon with Froechan before ]\ISS. Series, vol- i., part i., pp. 90,
Strong (Slieve) Bloom." gi.
'•'•" This term is said to mean " im- ^'^^ The grave-yard, but without a
pure," and it is thought, because he name, is noted on the " Ordnance
was thirty years without baptism ; Survey Maps for the Queen's Couuty,"
but another version has it, he was called Sheet 13.
2l6 HISTORY OF THE QUEEN'S COUNTY.
roadside ; they were buried indiscriminately m Bocluain, and the people
of that locality disliked ever afterwards commingUng the dust of then-
relatives with that of strangers. Elsewhere they sought burial-places,
and the old cemetery ceased opening its over-crowded loam for the
reception of new occupants. It is now quite disused, for even few
visitors ever stroll among the lonely graves.
The union of Clonenagh and Clonagheen contains the two chaptlrjcs
of Ballylin and Roskelton. The church of Roskelton in the townland
so named is a prominent object over a bleak and level landscape. "'-
The village of Raheen, containing a good Catholic Church, has but a
few houses, most of rather an humble appearance. In the immediate
neighbourhood arc Raheen House and Tinnekill House, within orna-
mental grounds. it^'S The old Church of Cremogue i<^4 and an adjoining
graveyard are within the union, and about two miles distant from
Clonenagh. 165 Beside it is a remarkable well reputed to be " holy,"
and still frequented' by pilgrims, who usually carry away one of the
j)ebbles found in the bottom of that clear spring. In addition to some
already named, the principal seats within this union are Ballyfin,i66 the
beautiful demesne of the Coote family, Woodbrook, Newpark, Woodbine,
Springmount, Shanahoe, Anngiove Abbey and Mount Eagle.
CHAPTER XVL— Parish of Cloydagh.
This parish is situated, partly in the barony of Slievemargy, in the
Queen's. County, but chiefly in the baronies of West Idrone and of
Carlow, in the County of Carlow. The former section contains 788 a.
o r. 28/., I and of these 245 a. 2 r. 33/. — a small part of Cloghgrennan —
are detached in the Queen's County, yet contiguous to the Carlow portions
of the parish ; while i r. 32/. are islands m the River Barrow, which
Hows from north to south through it.^ The Carlow barony section
contains 1265^?. 2 r. 11/., and of this area 27 a. ir. 32/. are in the River
Barrow ; while the West Idrone barony section comprises 28S9 a. 2 r. 29/.,
and of this area 22 a. o r. 8/. are islands in the River l-jarrow.3 It is also
called Clody or Clogrennan, as the Clogrennan hills lying to the east
and south of the Slievemargy range slope down steeply on the Queen's
County side to the River Barrow. The principal peak is 1038 feet
182 It is shown on the " Ordnance described on the " Ordnance Survey
Survey Townland Maps for the Queen's Townland Maps for the Queen's
County," Sheet 17. County," Sheet 12.
1*^^ See ibid. ^ This portion is showTi on the
1"* Wood-cut illustrations of Cremogue "Ordnance Survey Townland Maps lor
Clonenagh, and Mountrath Catholic the Queen's County," Sheet 37.
Church, with additional details, have ~ The parish of Cloydagh is described
been already published by the author, by Mr. Thomas O'Conor in a letter,
and are to be found in " Lives of the dated Leighhn Bridge, June 20th, 1839
Irish Saints," vol. ii. February xvii., in " Letters relalmg to the Antiquities
Art i. Life of St. Fintan, Abbot and of the County of Carlow containing
Patron of Clonenagh, pp. 574 to Information Cf)llected during the Pro-
598. gress of the Ordnance Survey in 1839,"
16S We fail to find them on Sheet 17 pp. 122 to 132.
of " Ordnance Survey Townland Maps ^ These divisions are to be traced on
for the Queen's County," where they the " Ordnance Survej' Townland Maps
should have appeared. for the County of Carlow," Sheets 6, 7,
1*" Ballyfin House and Demesne are 11, 12.
PARISH OF CLOYDAGII. 217
above the sea-level. The soil is good with limestone substratum. Coal
is procured at the Bilboa colliery.4 The lands along the Barrow are
very fertile, as are those uplands immediately near, but they become
barren as you ascend the summits, from which most charming scenic
effects are obtained, as in one place the elevation is considerably above the
district lying eastwards.
This parish was a vicarage and a separate benefice in the diocese
of Leighlin, the diocesan being the patron. Popularly, it is now called
Clogrennan. Cloydagh had a residence in 1616, and it was an impropriate
rectory,S Keating being the vicar. The church and chancel were in
good repair, and a Communion Book was possessed. That old church
of this parish is now to be seen in ruins, and surrounded by a burial-
ground, within the beautiful demesne of the Rochfort family. 6 The
ornamental grounds skirt the pubhc road from Carlow to Leighlin Bridge,
and they extend along the western banks of the River Barrow. They
he also on the slope of the Cloghrennan Hills. The former old church
of this parish was in a good state of preservation in the summer of i83() ;
and at that time the measured length of the structure inside was 59 ft.
6 in., and its breadth was 18 ft. On the east gable was to be seen a
large window, topped with a pointed arch. On the inside it began
within two feet from the ground, and was 5 ft. broad in the lower part.
On the outside it commenced within 4 ft. from the ground, and was
4 ft. broad in the lower part, rising to a height of no less than 12 ft.
Near the west gable and in the south side wall there was a door having
a pointed arch. There was another door opposite to it in the side wall,
the opening running to the top of the wall, the upper part of which
had been destroyed. The church was built of chiselled granite.7
Here, also, on the banks of the River Barrow is to be seen Clogrennan
Castle, now in ruins and covered with ivy .8 This formerly belonged
to the Ormond family. Sir Edward Butler had raised the standard
of revolt against the English Government in the sixteenth century.
He held this castle, but it was taken from him by Sir Peter Carew in
1568. In 1641, it was besieged by the Irish. It was relieved, however,
by Colonel Sir P. Wemys. At this place, the jMarquis of Ormond
mustered his forces, before proceeding to Dublin in 1649, when the
battle of Rathmines took place. It is said, that after his defeat at the
battle of the Boyne, James II. encamped at a place known as Bawn
Ree ;9 however, for this statement, there seems to be no confirmation.
There is a grave-yard in the townland of Cloghrea in this parish, and it
is only a short distance eastwards from the River Barrow. No vestiges
of a church are within it. 10 The Protestant church here was built in
iSoo, through a gift of £461 los. ghd. from the Board of First Fruits.
* See the " National Gazetteer," vol. i., Castle, as presented in 1794 in the
p. 614. " Anthologia Hibernica," vol. iii., May,
s According to the "Liber Regalis 1794, at p. 319.
Visitationis." ^ In the year 1819, at a ford over
^ Some inscriptions on the tombs are the Barrow, and about one mile and a-
given in Ryan's " History and Anti- quarter distant, various relics of anti-
quities of the County of Carlow," quity were found. Among these were
chap, xxxi., pp. 334, 335. brazen swords and arrow-heads. See
■^ See Thomas O'Conor's description Lewis' " Topographical Dictionary ot
at pp. 122, 123. Ireland," vol. i., p. 381.
8 There is a line copper-plate 1° See Thomas O'Conor's description,
engraving of the ruins of Cloghgrennan p. 131.
2lS HISTORY OF THE QUEEN'S COUNTY,
Some thirty years later, the Ecclesiastical Commissioners added a
j^aant of £167 5s. iid. for repairs. Tlie glebe-house was built, in 1813,
by a gift of ;f400, and a loan of /360, from the Board of First Fruits.
The glebe comprised six acres, subject to a rent of £4 4s. an acre." The
hamlet of Milford on the River Barrow is within this parish, and cele-
brated for its extensive flour-mills, which in the beginning of the
last century carried on a flourishing trade by means of canal-boat com-
munication with Dublin. At another spot, Killeeshal Fort on the
west side and near the Barrow is a remarkable circular enclosure.
In 1831, the population of this whole parish was 1422 ; the number
in Carlow barony being 204, and in West Idrone barony being 903.
Consequently the remaining 315 lived in the barony of Slievemargy.
In 1834, the Roman Catholic population was 1,168 for this whole parish,
while the Protestants numbered 343.^- In 1837, ^^^ estimated area of
this parish was 4737 statute acres, of which 290 were woodland and 324
moorland, the remainder being arable and pasture ; while 3764 acres
were applotted under the Tithe Act, and they were valued at £y]^^
per annum. 13 In 1S41, the population of this whole parish was 1499.
living in 240 houses. The population was thus distributed, viz. :-
That of Carlow barony section was 211, in 27 houses ; that of Idrone
West section 997, living in 161 houses, while that in Slievemargy barony
was 291, living in 52 houses. '4 In 1846 the rectorial tithes were com-
l)ounded for ;^i84 12s. 3^d., being imjDropriate in Colonel Henry Bruen
and W. Fishbourne, Esq. The vicarial tithe composition was ;r92 6s. i^d.,
with a glebe valued at £2'^ 4s. ; the gross income being £117 lOs. ifd.,
*nd the nett being £']'] 17s. 8f-d. At present the incumbent has an
annual stipend of £250.15 A Catholic chapel is in this parish, belonging
to the Union of Old Leighlin, Wells, Clonmulsk, and Cillinane ; ^^ and
the religious history of the Union is traced imder the heading of thu
Parish of Leighlin, by the ]\Iost Rev. Dr. Comerford.i7
CHAPTER XVII. — Parish of Coolbanagher.
This parish is now within the barony of Portnahinch ; and its old church,
for many centuries back, seems to have been included within the bounds
of Clanmalier,! in the district of Offaly. It lay, however, immediately
without the border of Leix, and it has connexion with early Irish eccle-
siastical history, having an existence in the eighth century, if its period
of foundation be not traceable to even an earlier dale. The surface
consists of good land, with bog and limestone formations. 2
1^ See Lewis' " Topographical Diction-- Dioceses of Kildare and Leighlin. "
ary of Ireland," vol. i., p. 381. Third Series, pp. i to 32.
12 See "Parliamentary Gazetteer of ^ The territory of tho O'Dempsej'S.
Ireland," vol. i., p. 470. ^ See "The Naiional Gazetteer,"
12 See Lewis' " Topographical Die- vol. i., pp. 645, 646.
tionary of Ireland," vol. i., p. 381. ^ In Rev. Dr. Keilv's "Calendar of
1* See "Parliamentary Gazetteer of Irish Saints," the " I\Iart\'Tologv of
Ireland," vol. i., pp. 469, 470. Tallaght," &c., he i . noticed siini)ly as
16 See "The Irish Church Directory Lugech Sci, at tlv 6th of October.
and Year Book for 1903," p. 124. See p. xxxvi. Als ■ at the same date,
1* See the "National Gazetteer," we find Lujech Si, in that copy,
vol. i., p. 614. contained in the " !;)ok of Leinster."
*' See " Collections relating to the at p. 563.
PARISH OF COOI.BANAGHKK.
219
In our Irish Calendars, the festival of Lugccli,' Lugach, or Liighaidh,
Bishop of Cuil-Beannchair, is recorded at the 6th of Uctober.4 His
parents were Lucht,5 who was his father, and Medhbh,*^ who was I; is
mother. Still some doubt has been felt regarding the site of that Cuil-
beannchair, with which he had been connected.? To us it appears
j)robable, this was not a place different from the ancient monastery
which stood at the present Coolbanagher.^ 'I'hat Lugach nourished
at an early period, seems estabhshed, from tlie circumstance of his
having been entered in the Feilire of St. Aengus tlie Culdee, who calls
him " Bishop Lugdach the gentle. '"•' The old commentator formed
some idea, that he had relations both with Leix and Offaly ; 1° although,
indeed, his observations are confusing enough, in the attempt at identifi-
cation." From the epithet applied, it would seem probable St.
Aengus the Culdee had some personal acquaintance with him, or, at
least, he had some reliable knowledge regarding his character.
It is said, that such a concourse of people flocked to visit St. Aengus
the Culdee in that retreat he had chosen at Dysart Enos,^^ that he
wished to seek a place where he might live wholly unknown. '3 But,
previously, he visited and stopped at Coolbanagher Church, situated
near the extreme northern bounds of Leix. Here he had an angelic
vision, which induced him to comjiose his Feilire or Metrical Hymn in
honour of the Irish saints. At Coolbanagher, in Mor«tt,i4 and in the
territory of Offaly, the gifted Culdee began his celebrated work, according
to the writer of an Irish Preface to it ^5 as furnished in the " Leabhar
Breac " copy ; ^^ and the Laud Manuscript copy ^7 partly supports that
* See Rev. Drs. Todd's and Reeves'
" Martyrology of Donegal," pp. 266,
267.
5 He is also called son of Anrodhan
son to Maeltuile, son of Aithcleach,
son of Fori).
" She was daughter to Garbhan, son
of Brocan, son to Garbhan, son of
Dubhchertan of the Ui-Saithghil of
Ciarraighe Luachra, now in the county of
Kerry.
■^ The O'Clerys conjecturally observe,
that he was Bishop of Cuil-Beannchair,
on the brink of Loc Erne, and of
Rath Muighe-tuaiscirt in Ciarraiglu;
Luachra ; or of Cuil-Beann-chair in
Ui-Failghe, and of Tuaim-fobhair in
Luighne. See their Martyrology, at
the oth October.
8 This parish is shewn on the " Ord-
nance Survey Townland Maps for the
Queen's Couiity," Sheets, 4, 8, 9, 13, 14.
The townland proper is on sheets
8. 13.
"In the "Leabhar Breac" copy he is
styled eprcop LujtiAch ti5<\ch.
1° The original gloss in Irish and
Latin has thus been rendered : —
" 'Ludach,' i.e., of Daire na Fland in
Eoganacht Chaisil, i.e., I,ugdach,
bishop in Cluain Aithchein in Leix,
or in Cuil-Bennchair in Olfaly, et quod
uerum est, and, moreover, the same
Bishop Lugdach is in Cuil-Bennchoir
in Lurg on the brink of Lough Erne, and
he IS in RatliMaige Tuaiscirt in Ciarraige
Luachrai, i.e., at Daire iMochua on the
brink of the Feile."
*i The reader is referred to Dr.
Whitley Stokes "On the Calendar of
Oengus," in " Transactions of tlie
Royal Irish Academy." Irish Manu-
script Series, vol. i., part i., pp. cxhx.,
and civ.
^- However, it does not seem at all
to be perfectly clear, that the celebrated
Aengus the Culdee, either hved in
retirement at or afterwards gave name
to Dysart Enos. Perhaps, indeed,
this place may have been thus named
before he had been called away to
enjoy the bliss of immortality. Another
Aengus, who was almost contemporary
with this saint, has left an elegant poem
in praise of him. From this poem
Colgan derives a great part of St.
Aengus Ceilii De's Acts.
1^ See Colgan's " ,\cta Sanctorum
Hibcrnia?," iNIartii xi. De .Engussio
Ilagiographo, Episcopo et Confessorc,
cap. iii., X3. 579-
1* Where there is an old castle,
connected with which some amusing
anecodotes are related in Sir Jonah
Barrington's " Personal Sketches and
Recollections of his own Times."
220 HISTORY OF THE QUEEN S COUNTY.
statement, although this latter text is somewhat ambiguous. ^8 Inspired
by a devotional feeling and poetical genius of no mean order, St. Aengus
took up his pen, and he commenced a composition in the Irish language,
since known as the " Feilire," or, in Latin, as the Festilogiiun of St.
Aengus. In this extended poem he enumerates some of the principal
saints, whom he calls Princes of the Saints. The Festilogium commemo-
rates saints' festivals assigned to each day of the year, with allusions
to characteristic virtues or actions of some holy individuals therem
commemorated. 19 Various other archseological works, but especially
relating to Irish hagiology, have been attributed to St. Aengus thi
Culdee.
When this renowned writer left the district of Leix, and had re-
mained for some time at Coolbanagher — where there seems to have
been a sort of monastic estabhshment at the time — afterwards, as we
read, he went to Tallaght, near the present city of Dublin, and there
concealing his name and former place of residence, this humble man
became a monk under St. Maelruan, then abbot. At Clonenagh and
Disert Enos, or Disert Aengus, Archdall has inverted the order of Aengus'
transactions. After making Aengus found an abbey at Disert-Aengus,
Archdall sends him to Tallaght, where, it is said, he died.-"^ Now, it
is clear from the Ads that Aengus was no more than a simple monk,
when he removed to Tallaght. As to the place of hjs death it could
not have been Tallaght ; for, as we find in said Acts, he was buried at
Clonenagh, or at Disert Bethach. After having spent some time at
Tallaght, his name and literary qualifications were discovered by St.
Maelruan. Afterwards both those holy men composed that valuable
hagiographical and historic record, known as the " Martyrology of
Tallaght." 21 St. Maelruan died on the 7th of July, a.d. 792, and,
afterwards, St. Aengus took the resolution of returning to Leix.
Over its great monastery of Clonenagh, in due course of time, it
is stated, that the humble monk and disciple of St. Maelruan was chosen
abbot. St. Aengus is said to have succeeded Melathgenius, who died
in 767, or rather in 768, according to Sir James Ware.22 He was also
elevated to the episcopal dignity.-3 It was a very usual practice then
15 Thus it is rendered in English: in the " Leabhar Breac," which is in the
" Lochs hujus ariis (was) Cool Banagher Royal Irish Academy's Library. There
in INIorett : in the territory of Otialy is a commentary or series of notes
its beninning, in Clonenagh, however, found in various copies of this work
its continuation (?), in Tallaght Libren yet extant. These comments relate
its entire completion ut ah'i." many traditions regarding those saints
I*' See Dr. Whitley Stokes " On who are named in the Ffilire.
the Calendar of Oengus," " Transac- ^o gee " IMonasticon Hibernicum,"
tions of the Royal Irish Academy," pp. 592, 594.
Irish Manuscript Series, vol. i., part i., ^i Owing to this joint authorship,
pp. iii., V. the work is frequently cited as Marty-
I'^The English translation runs: rologium /Engussii filii Hua-Oblenii et
" Place, forsooth, first for it : Cool Moelruanii, " the Martyrology of Aengus
Banagher in Morett in the border of and Molruan."
Oflaly, and it was in the kiln in Tam- 22 jt jg not probable, that St. Aengus
lacht wherein some of it was made. In the Culdee was the imuietiiate successor
Clonenagh its beginning, in Cool of Melathgenius. By his namesake,
E.magher, and its completion in the however, Aengus Ceile De is called
kiln in Tallaght." abbot.
^^ See ibid., pp. v., viii. ' -' At least such a statement is con-
13 A copy of this poem is preserved tained in our Irish Martyrologies
^
COOLHANACiUCR CHLUCH.
^^^
\nl. I.
COOLl5ANA(iliI-k CA5ILH.
I'd lafc |i.iL;r 2J1.
PARISH OF COOLBANAGHER. 221
j)revailing in Ireland, to invest the superiors of all great religious houses
with this exalted rank. Probably, however, we may regard this dignity
he obtained as qualifying him to be classed only with the inferior prelates,
known as Chore-episcopi, in early times. We can find no mediaeval
accounts of Coolbanagher ; but, we conclude, that its monastic hfe
fell into decay, and that only a parish church afterwards remained.
The old medireval church of Coolbanagher — portions of which we
believe to present evidences of very remote antiquity — remains in a
ruinous state, and its surrounding grave-yard is now used as a place of
burial. Tradition assigns to the building an early date of erection.
Tiiere are two divisions in this church yet visible— most probably the
nave and choir. A wall appears to have separated both, but a large
pointed doorway afforded a communication. The nave, on the outside,
measures 32 ft. in length by 22 ft. in breadth. The outside wall of
the choir measures 28 ft. in length by 16 ft. in breadth. The inside
of the building is filled with loose stones and rubbish. A narrow, low
door, now stop[:)ed up with masonry, appears beneath an overshadowing
mass of ivy, on the western gable ; and a door seems to have been subse-
([uently opened on the southern side wall, probably, when the former
one had been closed. A splayed window opened on either side of the
nave. A splayed and ruinous east window formerly lighted the choir,
the side walls of which are now nearly level with the ground. -4 The
spot is not far removed from the great Heath of Maryborough, and near
the ecclesiastical ruins are to be seen the stately remains of Coolbanagher
Castle.' 5 There are no tombs, at present, in the grave-yard or within
the church, but such as bear modern inscriptions.
In 1657 Coolbanagher is reported as having twenty-five townlands,
and that it was an impropriation. Gilbert Rawson, Esq., was the
])atron ; it had been rated at £25 per annum, and then it was worth /16.
It had 15 acres of glebe attached.-^ The living is a rectory in the
Diocese of Kildare, formerly valued at £454, and in the patronage" of the
crown. The church there erected dates for 1786,27 and it occupies
a commanding site. At present, the incumbent has an annual salary
of £224.-8 \Vith an interesting early account of Emo Parish — which
is the title for it in the Catholic distribution — the Most Rev. Dr.
Comerford treats its religious historic records in his valuable work.-'-*
The old castle of Morett has an interesting record, 30 and its ruins are
on a slight elevation. In the early days of the writer its four quadrangular
walls were in a good state of preservation, but at present much of the
remains having fallen, the rest of this interesting castellated mansion
must probably soon disappear.
2* These are some ck'scriptive parti- of a castle." Chap, x., sect. 4, p.
culars noted during a visit to the spot, on 136.
the loth of December, 1853. On that -'^ See ibid. chap, i., sect. 3, p. 10.
occasion, the writer took a pencil -''• See " The National Gazetteer,*
sketch of the old church ruins, as they vol. i., p. 646.
appeared from the south-east side of -^ See " The Irish Church Directory
the building. and Year-Book for 1903," p. 114.
-5 In Sir Charles Coote's " Statistical -'9 gee " Collections relating to the
Survey of the Queen's County," we are Dioceses of Kildare and Leighlin,"
simply informed, that " at Coolbanagher vol. ii., pp. 144 to 1-54.
are the ruins of a church and also 20 gee ibid., pp. 146 to 148.
222 HISTORY OF THE QUEEN S COUNTY.
CHAPTER XVIIL— Parish of Coolkerry.
This small parish i — formerly situated in the barony of Upper Ossory —
is now chielly in the barony of Clarmallagh,- while a very insignificant
area 3 is in the barony of Clandonagh. It lies a short distance to the
east of Rathdowney, and along the right or soutli bank of the Erkin
rivulet. A part of Ai^haboe parish intervenes, so as to cut Coolkerry
parish into two mutually-detached districts. As applotted under the
Tithe Act, it comprised 1,720 statute acres.4 A castle was formerly
here, but it has now been destroyed. 5
Coolkerry had ^I'^a. 9/. of glebe, and it was anentire rectory, in 1657,
while the value was £50. The tithe was set for the use of the Common-
wealth. It contained eight townlands, and the value of tithe was forty
shillings per annum. It had no churcli.6 In 1S37, the tithes amounted
to £110, which were paid to the impropriators, the Ladies G. and A.
Fitzpatrick ; 7 although no church or glebe residence was in the parish.
Its old church was. then in ruins, while the Protestant parishioner
attended the church at Rathdowney.^
In 1831, the Clarmallagh barony section of Coolkerry contamed 375
inhabitants, while the Clandonagh barony section remained uninhabited.9
Coolkerry was a rectory and vicarage in the diocese of Ossory ; while it
was entirely impropriate in the Fitzpatrick family. 10 tin the Roman
Catholic arrangement, Coolkerry fell within the parochial union of
Aghaboe." In 1S34, the Protestant inhabitants of this parish amounted
to 23, while the Roman Catholics numbered 361. i- In 1841, there were
67 houses in this parish, with 457 inhabitants. Middlemount and
Erkina are two handsome residences \\ntliiii it, as also a castle and the
old church in ruins. ' 3
CHAPTER XIX. — Parish of Curraclone or Corcloxe.
The parish of Curraclone — sometimes written Corclone — adjoins that
of Stradbally, towards the north-east. Its name is thought to have
been derived from Currach ^ and Cluana,^ interpreted to be " a bog
island," by Thomas O'Conor.3 This parish contains 3,644 </. 3 /-. i/>.,
1 It is shown on the " Ordnance '' They allowed an annual stipend of
Survey Townland Maps for the Queen's /lO ids. to the vicar of Au.L;hinacart,
County," Sheets 28, 34. for performing the clerical duties.
- This portion contains *i, 615a. 2>'. 6/>. ^ c;pg "The National Gazetteer,"
2 It contains only 4a. 2y. izp. See a vol. i., p. 646.
description of this parish in " Letters ^ See " Parliamentary Gazetteer of
containing Information relative to the Ireland," vol. i., p. 499.
Antiquities of the Queen's County, '^ In 1837, the impropriators were
collected durmg the Progress of the the Ladies G. and A. Fitzpatrick, who
Ordnance Survey in 1838," Letter of are now represented in their large
John O'Donovan, dated Mouutrath, landed possession by the Earl of
November 30th, 183S, j^P- ii<^. iii- Ossory.
* See " Lewis' Topographical Die- i' See " Lewis' Topographical Dic-
tionary of Ireland," vol. i., p. 397. tionary of Ireland," vol. i., p. 397.
5 This site is shown on Sheet 28. '^ See "Parliamentary Gazetteer of
" See Sir Cliarles Coote's" General View Ireland," vol. i., p. 500.
of the Agriculture and Manufactures of i^ See on Sheet 28 of the Ordnance
the Queen's County," chap, i., sec. 3, p. 7. Survey Maps.
PARISH OF CURRACLOXE OR CORCLONE. 223
including those portions covered by the Barrow's water margin.4 A
light clay or a substratum of limestone or gravel predominates. 5 The
extensive woods of liallyduff — as part of the Ballykilcavan estate —
cover a considerable surface. The castle of Blackford, erected as a
defence against the Pale incursions by the O'Moores, is now in ruins near
the boundary stream.
There is an old church within a cemetery in this parish. Only
one gable of it now remains ; and this was repaired in the beginning
of the late century, to preserve it from total ruin. A doorway
is in it, and this exhibits two concentric arches at top. In the rude
process of repairing, plaster was put over the masonry, which renders
the ruin an unsightly object. An earher church stood there, the founda-
tions of which are now scarcely recognizable. Yet, the remains are in the
centre of the grave-yard, and they rise considerably over the surface.'^
At the end of the church — now unroofed and disused, as a new Protes-
tant church on an elevated site has been erected near it. 7 — modern
masonry appears. The grave-yard is exceedingly old, and it has been
much used lor interments. The graves are chiefly on the south side,
where the entrance from the road opens. Numbers of old head-stones
are to be seen. Ash trees grow around the grave-yard. A beautiful view of
Ballykilcavan woods is presented from this lonely site, which is partially
elevated over the surroundmg [-(lains. Ballymanus house is quite near. On
the east side of the Grand Canal, which nms throug^i a part of this
parish, is shown the site of Ballymanus Castle, said to have been
dependent on Dunamase.8 The river of Stradbally passes beneath
the site of the old church, and thence makes its way eastward to the
River Barrow. Another historic townland in this parish is Blackford,y
situated on the eastern boundary, near a small stream. This separates
the Queen's County from the County of Kildare. In the year 1404,"'
Giolla Patrick O'Mordha gained a victory over the English at this s])ot,
and many of their people were slain there. Spoils of arms, armour,
and horses were also taken from them. Blackford is marked on the
old map of Leax and Ophaly. There stood an old castle on its site.
In the beginning of May, 1599, Owny Mac Rory O'More had thrown
up some entrenchments at this place to oppose the progress of the Earl
of Essex and his army into Leix. Finding the position indefensible
and the opposing force too powerful, O' Moore changed his cantonments,
* Written in Irish Cu|iiK\ch. stone over the entrance is inscribed
2 Written in Irish CIuatia. " 1794 C. H. W."
3 In liis letter, dated Stradbally, ^ This church was built at tlie ex]iense
December 9th, 1838. See "Letters of the parish in 1S04. See "The
containing Information relative to the National Gazetteer," vol. i., p. 715.
Antiquities of the Queen's County, 8 According to Sir Charles Coote.
collected during the Progress of the Ord- ' In the Irish Annals, it is called
nance Survey in 1838," vol. i., p. 356. Ach "Oubh.
* See "Ordnance Survey Townland 10 See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of
Maps for the Queen's County," Sheets the Four ^Masters," vol. iv., pp. 7S0, 781.
14. 19. ^^ See " On the Identification of the
5 See " Parliamentary Gazetteer of Site of the Engagement of the ' Pass
Ireland," vol. i., p. 504. of Plumes,' " published in " Proceedings
^ The ruins at some not very remote of the Royal Irish Academy," second
date appear to have been modernized to series, vol. i., " Polite Literature and
serve for a Protestant church. At Antiquities," No. xliii., p. 281.
the east end is the family vault of the '-According to the "Liber Recalls
Walshes of Ballykilcavan. On a lime- Visitationis."
224 HISTORY OF THE Ql'EEX's COUNTY.
and retired before him to Stradbally, which the Earl of Essex reached
on the evening of May 15th, having crossed at Blackford unopposed. i'
The Rectory of Corclone, alias Blackford, was impropriate with a
residence in 1616.12 The vicar was John ^loren, a reading minister.
The value of this living then was £1^. The church, with its chancel, was
in a good state of repair, and furnished with books. This townland
is called Corclone in an Inquisition taken in the time of Charles I. We
find, that a.d. 1640, Corkclone — in Stradbally — had eight townlands
and thirty-four acres of glebe. Then it was worth £40 per annum. '^
Tradition holds, that on the site known as Chapel Hill, in the townland
of Garrans, a Roman Catholic Chapel of rude structure stood in the
Penal Days, to which the worshippers in the adjoining town of Strad-
bally were obliged to resort. The parish was a rectory and a separate
benefice in the Diocese of Leighlin, the patron being the Diocesan.
The living was formerly united to that of Killeny. In 1837, ^^^^ tithes
amounted to £233 ; while there was a glebe comprising 2 a. 3;)., but,
no glebe-house was built upon it.M A new and neat Protestant church —
to replace the old church which had become ruinous — was built on a
fine eminence, and it is now surrounded by planted trees. Two
very beautiful mansions and demesnes are within the ]iarish of Curraclone,
viz., Ballykilcavin, the seat of Sir Hunt Walsli, Bart., and Brocklev
Park, the seat of Mr. Young. Ballymanus is also a handsome residence
of Mr. Dunne, and it is surroundecl by ornamental grounds. In 183 1,
the population was 650 ; and in 1834, there was a hedge school here,
having on its books eleven bo\'S and nine girls, while the Protestant
population was 53, and the Catholic numbered 593.^5
CHAPTER XX. — Parish of Donaghmore.
There is a parish called Donaghmore, in the barony of Clandonagh,
Queen's County. It consists of 3,528 a. 3 r. 22 [^A The village which
bears its name is partly in the same parish, \\liile part of it lies within
Kathdowney parish, the town of which is onl^^ one mile and a-quarter
distant. Five fairs are held annually in the village of Donaghmore ; ^
viz., on the 28th of March, on the 12th and 13th of June, on the 31st
of August, and on the 12th of December.3 Generally speaking, the
land is ot good quality for agriculture and pasturage. A work-house
was built there, and occupied for some years by inmates ; but of late
it has been closed. A description of this parish will be found in the
material provided for it in the Irish Ordnance Survey Records.4 Here
'3 See Sir Charles Coote's " General being 81. Of these 71 persons lived
View of the Agriculture and Manu- in the Rathdowney section ni 13 houses,
factures of the Queen's County," cliap. See " ParUanientary Gazetteer of Ire-
i., sect. 3, p. 10. land," vol. ii., p. 30.
1* See Lewis' "Topographical Die- ^ See "The National Gazetteer,"
tionary of Ireland," vol. i., p. 401. vol. i., p. 777-
If* See " Parliamentary Gazetteer of * See " Letters containing Infornia-
Ireland," vol. i., p. 504. tion relative to the Antu|uities of tlie
1 See its extent dclincd on the Queen's Count \', collccled during the
" Onlnance Survey Townland Maps for Progress of tiu- Ordnance Survey in
the Queen's County," Sheets 22, 27,28. 1S38." vol. i. Letter of John O'Donovan
2 In 1831, it had a population of dated jNIounlrath, November 28th, 1838,
383, and in 1841, it had 496, the houses pp. Sj to 80.
PARISH OF BURROW. 225
there is a very old graveyard, enclosed with a modern wall. The burial-
ground rises to a considerable height, above the outside earth ; and
the modern Protestant church is j^laced in its centre. This probably
stands on the site of an ancient buikhng, every trace of which has now
disappeared. The situation is a beautiful one, and rising over the
Erkina River, which Hows through the village of Donaghmore.
The ecclesiastical state of this rectory is omitted from the returns
made in 1657. This parish was formerly a separate benefice in the
Diocese of Ossory. The diocesan was patron. An older Protestant
church having been removed, a new one was built in 1822 at a cost of
^^480, of which ^^462 los. gld. was borrowed from the Board of First
Fruits, while the rest was raised from the sale of materials belonging
to the church which had been pulled down. 5 Applotted under the
Tithe Act, the parish was returned as containing 3,226 statute acres.
There was a glebe of 193 acres, with a glebe-house, in 1837. The tithes
then amoimted to £154 Qs. yld. At that time, there were extensive
corn mills and a large starch manufactory within the parish ; '^ but
these have since gone to decay. In 1831 the j)opulation of this parish
was 1,211 ; that of the rural districts, 828 ; 7 \Nhile m 1841, the population
Iiad increased to 1,620, in 255 houses ; that of tlie rural districts being
1,199, i^^ ^^7 houses.''^ Manufactures and agriculture were then very
flourishing. This parish is traversed north-north-westu'ard by the high
road from Rathdowney to Roscrea. In the Roman Catholic jiarochial
arrangement Donaghmore is united to Rathdowney and Grogan.
CHAPTER XXI.— Parish of Durrow.
The parish of Durrow is situated partly in the l.)arony of Clarmallagh
in the Queen's County, and partly in that of Galmoy, in the County of
Kilkenny. It has some good land, but the surface has much woodkmd
and bog. The Queen's County section contains 5,85()rr. 3;'. 2C)/).,' wliile
that in Kilkenny County has only GOSa. 2r. ()p.~ Within the former portion
is the town of Durrow, surrounded by the woods and demesne of Castle-
Durrow, the seat of Lord Ashbrooke. Several otiier l)eautiful mansions
and grounds are within the parish, which has an ornate and a picturesque
appearance. The town is pleasingly situated on the banks ot the River
Erkina, wliich joins the River Gully at Castlewood House and demesne.
An oblong square is the predominating feature of the town, and it is
Hanked with several neat and well-built houses. This parish is noticed
in the Ordnance Survey Records for the Queen's County.3 It is sup[)oscd,
that at an early period a monastery was in Durrow ; but, little seems
5 See " Parliamentary Gazetteer of " Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for
Ireland," vol. ii., p. 30. the Queen's County," Sheets 29, 35.
'■ See Lewis's " Topographical Die- - This part is shown on the "Ordnance
tiouary of Ireland," vol. 1., p. 4.S2. Survey Townland Alaps for the County
" In 1834, the Roman Catliolics of of Kilkenny," Sheet 4.
this parisii numbered 1,132, the Pro- ^ y^.^. "Letters containing Informa-
testants amounted to 109. tion relative to the Antiquities of Itie
** See " Parliamentary Gazetteer of Queen's County collected during the
Ireland," vol. ii., p. 30. Progress of the Ordnance Survey in
1 'this portion is described on the 183S," vol. i. Letter of Thomas O'Conor,
C)
226 HISTORY OF THE QliEEN S COUNTY.
to be known of its history.4 However, a St. Fintann Moeldribh, of
Dermhuighe Ui Duach, is said to have been from Northern Ossory.5
He was of Eoghauacht Caissil, and he descended from the race of Brian,
son of Eochaidh Muighmedhoin. He had a festival at the 20th of
October.6 In the " Martyrology of Tallaght " 7 we tind the names of Fintan
and of Maelduibli separated, as if they had been different saints,^ as
also in the O'Clerys' Calendar, while St. /Engus in his " Festilogy "
has no notice of either name, at that date.9 In the year 626, as we are
told, Finntan Maeldubh died.^o
The country about Durrow formerly belonged to the Fitzpatricks ;
but, although surrounded by the Queen's County, the Earl of Ormond
procured an Act of Parliament to make that tract a part and parcel
of the County of Kilkenny. This was done to remove the Fitzpatricks
from their connections, so that when they were apprehended on real
or presumed crimes, they were immediately taken to Kilkenny, and
dealt with by the powerful Butler family." At Kilkenny, they often
suffered the extreme jicnalties of the law, and sometimes with little
regard to justice.
In 1640, the vicarage of Durrow was worth /6 6s. 8d. Durrow was
situated in Upper Ossorj^ in the year 1657, and then it contained 16^
townlands. It had a parsonage impropriate, worth £13 13s. per annum.
The Protector was the patron. The church was then out of repair, and it
had no minister. 12 A Protestant church was built here in 1793, at a
cost of about £646 3s. id., raised by parochial assessment. ^3 A Wesleyan
meeting-house was also built in the town. The chief part of this parish,
inclusive of the town, was transferred by the Act 6 and 7 of William
IV., from the County of Kilkenny to the Queen's County. The living
became a vicarage in the Chapter of St. Canice, Kilkenny, while the
rectory was appropriate to tlie economy estate of the cathedral. In 1837,
the tithes amounted to £360, of whicli £240 became payable to the
lessee under the economy' estate, and /120 to the vicar. There
was a glebe-house, with a glebe of more than 18 acres. These
were valued at £40. Thus the gross income was /^i6o, while the nett
was only ^^143 4s. At present, the value to the incumbent is £350. '4
The Dean and Chapter of St. Canice's Cathedral were patrons in 1846 ;
the rectorial tithes being compounded for £240, and were appropriated to
the Dean and Cliapter of St. Canice's Cathedral, but demised for a term
of years to the Vicar of Durrow. The curate had a salary of £'69 4s. 7 id.
A weekly market on Friday, and several fairs throughout the year
dated Mouutrath, November 30th, 1S38, said to have been of Dermagh-Ui-Duach,
pp. 97 to loj. which territory hes around Durrow.
* See Archdall's " Monasticou Hiberni- "See this matter treated in the
cum," p. 348. ■ author's " Lives of the Irish Saints,"
^ See Colf^'au's " Acta Sanctorum vol. x., October xx.
Hiberniee," h'ebruarii xvii.. Appendix ad '"See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of
Acta S. Fintani, chap, i., p. 355. the Four Masters," vol. i., pp. :;4.S,
* See Rev. Drs. Todd and Reeves' 249.
" Martyrology of Donegal," pp. 278, 279. " See Archdall's " Monasticon Hiber-
^ Itdited by the Rev. Dr. Kelly, nicum," p. 349.
Seep, xxxvii. '-See Sir Charles Coote's "General
s This is probably a mistake. In View of the A,::;nculture and Manu-
their Calendar, the O'Clerys signalise faclures of the Quern's County," chap, i.,
Maeldubh as being sou of Auduilgaidh, sect. 3, ]■>. 8.
of Cluain-Innnorrois in Ui-Fadghe, or of '^ In 1S46, the sittings were 300,
this place. When Fintan follows, he is the attendance being 130.
PARISH OF DYSART ENDS.
227
were held in the town of Durrow, it having formerly had an infantry
barracks, an inn, and a posting estabhshnient. Extensive Hour mills
were on the Erkina, and altogether a considerable local business was
transacted. In 1831, the population of this parish was 2,gii. In 1834,
the Protestants amounted to 456 and the Catholics to 2,519. In 1S41,
the whole population was 2,977,15 while the houses were 499. ^^ Tlie
town contained an area of 51 acres, while its population in 1831 was
1,298 persons, and in 1841, 1,318 in 239 houses. '7 A market-house
is in Durrow ; also a police-station and barracks ; mills and a dispensary
are likewise here. Fairs are held on the 2nd of January, on the 4th of
March, on the 22nd of May, on the 21st of August, and on the 20th of
November. I s a commodious Catholic chapel is in the town, and, in
the Catholic parochial arrangement, Durrow has Aughmacart and
Cullohill united with it.
CHAPTER XXII.— Parish of Dysart Enos.
The elevated range of limestone hills between the celebrated Rock
and Castle of Dunamase, and extending to Lamberton Demesne, is
conspicuous as a feature of the scenery in the parish of Dysart Enos.
Beneath that elevation the surface slopes to a well-cultivated plain,
which reaches to Stradbally Hall Demesne. This parish is in the barony
of Maryborough East, and it lies about two miles south-east from the
county town. I An account of Dysart Enos parish may be found in the
collections for the Ordnance Survey Records. 2 The topographical
etymon of Dysart or Diseart, is Latinized deserhtm, and corresponds
oftentimes in meaning with the English word " desert " ; 3'et it is
frequently .found in ancient Irish manuscripts, to denote a hermitage,
or an asylum for pilgrims, penitents, and saints.3 Broken and rugged
rocks surmount the heights, only suitable for sheep pasturage, and
presenting at the present time aspects of solitude, but commanding
magnificent and extensive views. In the earlier times, this tract must
have been still wilder and more romantic.
We find the Tomhcan dc Fingal, or " Tomb of Fingal," marked on
a poorly-furnished map of Comte dc la Rcine or Queen's County,4 attach-
'^ See "The Irish Church Directory Queen's County collected during the
and Year-Book for 1903," p. 120. Progress of the Ordnance Survey in
15 Of these, the rural section of the i83S,"voI.i. Letter of Thomas O'Conor,
Queen's Ct>unty contains 1,436 persons, dated Stradbally, December 9th, 183
the Kilkenny section having only pp. 2 So to 353.
-32- ^ It occurs in this latter sense in the
1^ Of these, 223 were in the Queen's " Leabhar Breac," fol. 100, a. a., and in
County portion, and 37 in the Kilkenny the Book of Leinstcr, in the :MS. Library
division. of Trinity College, Dublin, classed H. 2,
1^ See " Padiamentary Gazetteer of 12, fol. 113, b. a. — "Irish Charters in
Ireland," vol. ii., p. 165. the Book of Kells," n. (g), p. 112.
18 See " The National Gazetteer," vol. < See Comte Charles Denis O'Kelly-
i., p. 849. Farrell's " Les O'TooIe : Notice sur le
' It is described on " The Ordnance Clan on la Tribu des O'Toole, Princes
Survey Townland Maps for the Queen's dTMureday et d'l'AIailey, dans la
County," Sheets 13, 14, iS, 19. Prcjvince de Lcinster en Irlande," &c.,
2 See "Letters containing Informa- p. 12. Published at La Rcole, France,
tion relative to the Anticjuities of the 1864, fol.
228 HISTORY OF THE QUEEN's COUNTY.
mg to a more enlarged chart, purporting to give the former territorial
possessions of the O'B^'rne and OToole families, in the modern counties
of Kildare and Wicklow. So far as can be conjectured, the position
should cause it to be on or near the hills of Dysart ; however, the fore-
going statement, as also that it had been a seat of Dermod MacMurrough,
King of Leinster,5 is utterly devoid of historic credit. The parish of
Dysart Enos seems to have derived its name from St. /Engus, who
there first estabhshed his church or hermitage. A very general opinion
prevails, that he was a holy and learned man, who chose to lead the
life of a hermit in this lonely place, and who flourished at a remote
period. He apjK^ars to have founded a church or cell on the western
slope of the Dysart hills, as is thought, towards the close of the eighth
or the commencement of the ninth century. Most of our Irish writers
suppose this personage to have been the celebrated /Engus Hagiographus.
However, the locality of this cell derived its denomination Dysartenos,
or the desert of /Engus, which it yet retains, aj^jparently from some one
bearing that name, which was a prevailing appellation in the old land
of Leix. If he were the great Irish Hagiogra|)lier, his earlier course of
studies was passed at Clonenagh. From every point of view, his history
is a very interesting one, as related tor us ; but litre we can only chronicle
some few of its particulars.
Sometime about the middle of the eighth century, iEngus the Culdee,
likewise named /Engusius Hagiographus, or /luieas the Hagiologist,
was born. Following the accounts of our early records, his pedigree
is found in the Festilogies,^ Martyrologies, Calendars, and Genealogies,?
that have come down to our times. He is said to have been the son
of Oengoba- — also called /Engavan or Oengobhane ^ — son of Oblen,
son of Fidru, son of Diarmuit, son of Ainmire, son of Cellar, son of
Oengus, son of Natsluagh, son of Caelbad.9 This celebrated ancestor
of iEngus ruled as monarch over Ireland, and he was slain in the year
of our Lord 357. From the dawning perceptions of childhood, the holy
/Engus was well deserving that appellation Culdee, or " worshipper
of God," which surname he afterwards bore. Even as a child he con-
ceived and cherished the most exalted ideas of Christian perfection,
the attainment of wliich was an object e\er uj^permost in his mind.
/Engus practised mortilication to an extraordinary degree in his 3'outh,
so that after a very short trial of the world's inquietudes, he felt a most
earnest desire of devoting himself to a religious life."^ He entered tlie
monastery of Clonenagh, and conformed to its religious rules. Alter
^ See "The National Gazetteer," vol. F. Imchadii, F. I'elhlemidii, F. Cassii, F.
i., p. S52. l-'iach Aradii, a quo Dalaradioruiu
'• 'riu- anonymous scholiast on the- lamilia noininatur." — C(jlj,'an's "Acta
Feilire of St. Aengus gives us the pedigree Sanctoiann 1 liheruia^," xi. .\Lirtii. Vita
of its persuined author, in a l-'reface to S. -Engussii, nn. i and 3, p. 5>Sj.
that copy contained in the " Leabhar ^ See Harris' " Ware," vol. li. , " The
Breac." Writers of Ireland," book i., p. 51.
■^ His pedigree, as found in the "■* He was the son of Crumbadrai, son
" Sanctilogium Genealogicum," cha]i. to Fochaidh Cobai according to another
xxiii., is given in these words: " S. account, and sprung from the Dalaradian
^Fngussius filius /Engavani, F. Hoblenii, race of Ulster. See Professor Eugene
F. Fidrai, F. Diermitti, F. Anmirechi, O'Curry's " Lectures on the Manuscript
F. Cellarii, F. Engussii, F. Natsluagii, F. Materials of Ancient Irish History,"
Coelbadii, F. Crunnii Batlhrai, F. lect. xvii., p. j'>j, and Appendix, No
Eochadii Cobha;, F. Lugadii, F. I^osaii, cxi., p. 609.
PARISH OF DYSART ENOS. 2Jy
spending some time in holy exercises, he resolved on selecting another
place lor his habitation. The distant ranges of hills at this i)]ace were
thought to be suited for retirement. An extensive tract of morass and
bog now intervenes between the ruins of Clonenagh's old monastery
and Dysart Enos. Both sites still lie within view of each other, a few
miles only separating the localities. So late as the seventeenth century,
a vast skirt of wood svirrounded Clonenagh " on every side, and trunks
of bog oak and fir are frequently turned up from a wide tract of
bog, which spreads between both places. 12 This moorland and wood
must have rendered access from Clonenagh to Dysart a matter of some
difficulty to the saint, who chose the latter spot for his hermitage. In this
favourite retreat, we are told by his biogra}-»hers, St. /Engus the Culdee
was in the habit of making three hunched gcnuilections each day, and
of reciting the entire Psalter. This latter office he di\'ided into three
separate portions : the hrst was said witliin the cell : the second under
a spreading tree of large growth, that cast its branches over his rude
habitation ; and the third lie repeated whilst tied b^' the neck to a stake,
with half of his body ]:)lunged in a tub of cold water. After all it may
be consistent with truth to assert, that these and other great mortifications
had been practised b^^ /Engusius Hagiographus, not at Dysart Enos
but rather at Dysart Betach, which was still nearer to Clonenagh's great
monastery, and which is said to have been a h(?rmitage, where this
celebrated saint also lived.
That particular cell built or inhal)ited by the St. /Engus, who was
at Dysart Enos, probably occupied a site on which the former Protestant
church of Dysart may now be seen, and as a comparatively modern
ruin. 13 This latter remains unroofed, but within the enclosure of its
standing waHs, the traces of a still older foundation are manifestly dis-
cernible ; having been levelled and concealed under the timber flooring
of the dilapidated modern church. An ancient graveyard is to be found
there, even yet much resorted to for the interment of persons deceased,
who had belonged to the neighbourhood, and adjoining towns and villages.
No doubt, the very old parish church occupied this site. We cannot
learn, that any regular monastic establishment ever existed here. From
or near that elevated position occupied liy Dysart Enos cemetery, the
ruins of Clonenagh's " seven churches " are yet clearly visible under
favouring circumstances ; and the graveyard, which is considerablv
elevated over the exterior surface of the fields, is regarded witli
reverential feelings by the country people. It is stated, that liere /Engus
^•^ See Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum square tower or steeple, which has a
Hibcrniii?," xi. Martii. Vita S. ^Engussii. very picturesque ap}Jearancc." Chap,
cap. 1. ix., sec. iv., p. 117. Within the writer's
11 See Harris' " Ware," vol. ii. ; memory, this church had been roofed.
" Writers of Ireland," bt)()k i., cliap. v., and frequented by a very small congre-
n. (d), p. 51. gation of Protestant worshqipers. A
1- Dysart .T'lngus, the name of which new and mucli more architectural
Harris thought to have been lost, is said structure was built at a very recent
to have been a part of this great wood, date, under the celebrated Rock of
See iliid., p. 52. Dunamase. Since the death of the
13 W'hen Sir Charles Coote wrote his rector, who lived in Kilteale glebe-house,
" Statistical Survey of the Queen's this wqw church has been closed, in
County," in iSoi, he described J dysart accordance with the provisions of the
Church as standing " on one of the Disestablishment Act for the Irish
lofty lulls of the same name, with a Protestant Episcopal DenoTnination.
230 HISTORY OF THE QUEEN S COUNTY.
had built a cell for himself to [)ass his days m solitude. Thither he
frequently retired, to spend his hours of prayer, and to put in practice,
unknown and unnoticed, those rigorous observations which he followed,
and the anonymous scholiast on the works of tliis saint calls the spot
Disert Mngits : while another /Engus, said to have compiled our
saint's eulogy, writes it down as Discrt-Bcthech, in his metrical
eulogy on St. iEngus the Culdec. He likewise indicates, that
its position lay very near to Clonenagh. Colgan adds, moreover,
how this other /Engus says, tliat the Culdee was l)oth educated and
buried at Disert-Bethech. Hence, it is thought to be doubtful,
whether this desert might not have been identical with Clonenagh.
Such a conjecture was allowable to Colgan, owing to the ambiguity
of statement regarding St. iEngus the Hagiologist. The annals
and records of our country render it manifest, however, that the Disert-
Oenghusa, or a Desertum /En^tidi, must be altogether distinguished
from Clonenagh.
Besides the ])lace so named witliin the bounds of ancient Leix, there
was another of like denomination in a more distant locality, but seeming
to have no special connection with St. /Engus the Culdee. Thus, our
annals record that Conn, son of Maelpadraig, Archinnech of Disert-
Oenghusa and of Mungairit, died a.d. 1033.14 The learned Dr. O'Donovan
fell into an error, 1 5 by identifying the latter Disert- Aengusa with Dysart-
Enos, in the Queen's county. ^^ It may, indeed, be questioned, whether
the saint, who gave name to Dysart Enos m Leix, was the celebrated
Irish hagiologist, or another bearing the name of .Engus, and wdio
wrote a poem in praise of his more renowned namesake. His verses
indicate great antiquity. It is related, that the author of this metrical
life, in the penultimate verse of his panegyric on the illustrious Culdee
prays, that he may enjoy with his namesake the bliss of eternal life.
He extols St. .Engus with surpassing praise, stating that the holy
subject of his encomium was often engaged in colloquies with celestial
spirits. If we take into account the concurrences of time, of neighbour-
hood, and of great erudition, the writer of the " Metrical Eulogy "
probably had been no other than that iEngus, Abbot of Cluain-fearta-
Molua, who died in 858.^7 Whoever the composer of the renowned Hagio-
grapher's panegyric may have been, his admiration for the subject
of his verse is almost unmeasured, and he styles St. /Engus, moreover,
the Sun of Western Europe. On account of those things related, re-
garding the studies of St. /Engus the Hagiographer during his youthful
days, his dailv and wonderful exercises, his rare humility and austerity,
the day of his death, being feria sexta, the jilace of his burial, and such-
like notices. Father John Colgan is under an impression that the writer
must have been a friend of St. /Engus, and have lived contemporaneously
with him. From the metrical panegyric, and the statement of a
scholiast, who wrote a preface to the Festilogy of /Engus, Father John
Colgan derived all his materials for the life of that saint. A few particulars
only are excepted, and these were drawn from other sources. '^
1* See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of were both situated witliiu the present
the Four ]MasttTs," vol. ii., pp. 826, 827. county ot Limerick. The former lay
1= See note (y), ibid. near Ballingarry, and the latter near
^" It is evident that the Disert- Limerick city.
Aenvussa and ^lunqairit, already named, i" See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals <il
PARISH OF DYSERT GALLEN. 23 1
In the year 1657, this ]iarish of Diseit is descrilied as the remaining
part of the parish of Kihele or Kilteal, wliich is in I\Iaryborough
barony. Disert contained three townlands at the time, and wortli
3^20 per annum ; while the vicarage had an annual value of £10. Sir
Robert Pigot, Knight, \vas the patron, ^'J and he seems to have resided
in the old castle of Dysart, the fragmentaJ ruins of which are yet to
be seen, beside a farm house, on an elevated site. The impropriate
rectory of Disert Enos had a residence. The vicar Thomas Waller was
a preaching minister there in 1616.20 The worth of this living was £15.
The church, its chancel and books are rc}^orted to have been in good
condition. This living is a vicarage in the Diocese of Leighlin, formerly
valued at £157, the ])atron being Lord Carew. A church, which was
built about 1752 on the summit of one of the Dysart Hills,^i is surrounded
by a graveyard, in which probably stood the still more ancient eccle-
siastical building. That erected in the middle of the eighteenth century
is now a ruin, and it was replaced by another built near the Rock of
Dunamase one hundred years later. A fair used to be held on the
green field beside the graveyard on Whit-Monday, and on the 12th
(jf October ; but for many past years, tlie fairs have been discontinued.
In the Roman Catholic arrangement, this parish is united to that of
Maryborough, and its chapel is in the townland of Raheenanisky.22
Lamberton House and the chief part of its demesne i^ in the parish of
Dysart Enos.
CHAPTER XXHL— Parish of Dysert-Gallex.
On the southern border of the barony of Cullenagh, the extensive parish
of Dysert-Gallen ^ spreads over a very hilly and diversihed surface
of country. It contains 10,781 a. o ;'. 28 p.; 2 much of this runs in hilly
and mountainous land, the two chief summits of which have, respectively,
over the sea-level an altitude of 869 feet, and looi feet. Except in the
valleys and on some rolling uplands, the soil is of a secondary quality.
The Owenbeg River receives its confluent streams from the higher
ColUeries district north of Castlecomer and from Cullenagh mountain ;
it then flows south-westwardly, until it joins the River Nore, in the
County of Kilkenny. The considerable town of Ballinakill is \vithin
the bounds of this i)arish. In a very beautiful and sheltered valley,
near the Owenbeg River, is the old church of this parish, within a still
more ancient cemetery, well crowded with graves, and of triangular
shape. 3 An old road crossed the river ford, and there is a temporary
the Four Masters," vol. i., pp. 492, " Collections for tlie Dioceses of Kildaro
493. and Leighlin," vol. iii., pp. 275 to 278.
IS See " Acta Sanctorum Hibernioe," ^ It is shown on tlic " Ordnance
xi. Martii, n. 5, p. 5S2. Survey Townland Maps for the Queen's
1^ See Sir Charles Coote's " Statistical County," Sheets 24, 25, 30, 31.
Survey of the Queen's County," chap. - Oi this 13 u. 2 r. 26 />. are under
i., sect. 3, p. 10. water.
2° According to the " Liber Regalis ^ For a fuller description of this place,
Visitationis." with an engraving on wood of the old
-'■ See " The National Gazetteer," church, by William Oldham, the reader
vol. i., p. 852. is referred to the author's " Lives of
22 The history of Dysart Enos is to be the Irish Saints," vol. i.. Second Day of
seen in Most Rev. Bishop Comerford's January, .\rt. iii., pp. 38 to 41.
232 niSTc^RY OF THE QUEEN S COUNTY.
*
bridge over it, yet only sufficient for the accommodation of foot
passengers. This place has been called Disert Chuillin by Colgan ; -i
and when introducing a saint, known as Manchen the Wise, 5 the O'Clerys
state, that this sage, whose feast occurs on the 2nd of January, belonged
to Disert-mic-Cuilinn, now Disert Gallen of Laeighis in Leinster.^^ His
period is not distinctly known, but there is a tradition in the neighbour-
hood, that a monastery was here in ancient times. Among the Ordnance
vSurvey Records,? tliere are notices of Disartgallen parish, in the barony
of Cullenagh. It had six townlands and two English acres of glebe,
the valuation of which was not determined in 1657. Sir Robert Pigot
was then patron.^ As applotted under the Tithe Act, this parish com-
prised 10,557 statute acres. 9 In an Inquisition, taken a.d. 1607, the
liectory of Gallen, alias Dvsert Gallen, comprised the townlands of
Ballanekilly, Kilcronan, Kilnashane, Ralishe, Clogheoge, Killrush,
Ballahancarr, Castlenioat, Graige, Athanacrosse, Graghnahone, Gragnas-
muttan, Moyarde, Knoghorocroughan, Doghill, Bouleylieg, Leaseo-
connan, Boulanabane, and Ballanageragh, with all other hamlets to
the same belonging. To the rectory of Gallen belonged also two-thirds
of the tithes, and live great acres of land, of all which tithes and five acres
the vicar of Gallen had a third part. 10 In the deanery of Leix proper,
the church of Gallen is noticed as a rectory imjiropriate, with a residence
in 1616.11 The Vicar was Thomas ]\Ianley, minister and preacher,
^vith books. Value /8. The church was in repair, while the chancel
was in ruins. \\'hcrefi)re, the fruits were sequestrate. That old church
is now a pictiu'csque rnin. It consisted of a nave and choir ; the
former measuring 40 feet by 20 feet, the latter 20 feet by 14 feet, while
only the dilapidated foundations are now visible. The walls are about
3 feet in thickness. A beautifully turned arch connected the nave and
choir. In the two side-walls — a great part of them destroyed— there
are traces ap])arently of two doors and two windows. In the west
gable was a large window, and over it was a belfry. The church was
built of limestone and grit, which were well cemented with mortar.'-
It was a rectory and a separate benefice, in the diocese of Leighlin.i3
In 1810, the glebe-house was built by a gift of /lOO, and by a loan of
£550 from the former Board of First Fruits, while the glebe itself com-
prised 30 acres. H A Protestant church was built in the town of
iSallinakill, which belongs to this parish, in 1S21, at a cost of {1.55''^
4s. j^d., of which £198 los. y^d. only was raised by subscription ;
* See " Acta Sanctorum Hiberniae," xiv. View of the Agriculture and Manufac-
Februarii, Vita S. Mancheni, n. o, p. 333. tares of tlie Queen's Count^^" chap, i.,
^ In the " Mart^Tolo.t^'V of Tallaylit," at sect. 3, p. 10.
the 2nd of January is the entry- » See Lewis's " Topographical Dic-
niAtichetii SApietinf. tionary of Ireland," vol. i., p. 593.
^ See Rev. Drs. Tfidd and Reeves' i" See Jolin C. Erck's " Ecclesiastical
" Martyrology of Donegal," pp.4, 5 and Register," &c., p. 131. Dublin, 1827.
pp. 440, 441, Appendix. 11 Accor(Hng to tlie " Liber Regalis
■^ SeL' " Letters containing Information \''isitatii)ins," 5th and 6th of July
relative to the Anti(]uities of tlie Queen's returns.
County collected during the I-'rogrcss 12 These observations were made by
of the Ordnance Survey in 1838," the writer on the spot,
vol. ii. Letter of Thomas O'Conor, '^ See John C. Erck's " Ecclesiastical
dated Carlow, December 24th, 1S38, Register," Ac, p. 131.
pp. 267 to 679. '•'See Lewis's "Topographical Dic-
8 See Sir Charles Coote's " General tionary of Ireland," vol. i., p. 593.
^i\ t^(i^
v.i\-S-\^ ,'•■.'-.'"'?■' .-^.'^3-- ■
DVSARI hiNOS cm k'CII.
.Sl-c nam.- 22').
PARISH OF DYSKRT GALLEN. 233
;^344 6s. i.^d. being raised by parochial assessment ; while ;^i.ot5 7s. S|d.
was borrowed from the former Board of First iMaiits.iS However, we
find £1,100 the amount borrowed for this inirish in another account. '6
In the year 1824, Rev. Stewart S. Trench became the rector of Dysart
Gallen.17 In 1846, the tithe composition was £-\o() 3s., the glebe £$2 5s. ;
the gross income being from this source £458 8s., and the nett being
;f4ii 19s. yd. The curate had a salary of £yo. The Earl of Stanhope
was patron. iS The church then had 150 sittings, the attendance being
estimated at 250 persons. There are no returns of income for incumbent
of the parish of Dysert Gallen, including Ballinakill.i9 There were
nine daily schools in 1846. Two of these were salaried with /24 each
from the National Board ; while one school had £y los. from the
Association for Discountenancing Vice, and it was reported that 429
l)oys and 407 girls were on its books. In 183 1 the population was
4,014; and of these 2,087 lived in the rural districts. In 1834, the
parishioners were thus distributed in the return of religious denomina-
tions : Roman Catholics, 4,200 ; Protestant chiuxhmen, 228 ; and
Dissenters, 3. In 1841, the population of this ]nirish was 4,342, living
in 731 houses. The inhabitants of the riu-al districts numbered 2,802,
in 457 houses. There are some very beautiful residences within this
jiarish. The chief one of these is Heywood, greatly beautified by its
former pro])rietor, j\I. F. Trench, Esq. It is situated qtaite near to the
town of Ballinakill. Valleylleld House in the \'icinity is also an attrac-
tive place. At Ballinakill and at Knockangurt were the Roman
Catholic churches, luu'ing an estimated attendance of, res'pectively,
3,000 and 717. Under the head of Ballinakill, its religious history, with
that of Dysert Gallen, is set forth in the work of Most Rev. Bishop
Comerford.-o The scenery of Dysert Gallen, especially along the course
of Owenbeg River, is highly picturesque and romantic.
Among Sir Williim Betty's Maps we find one 21 representing the
barony of Cullenagh ; the greater. part of which is indicated by un-
forfeited lands. On these the parish of Dysert Gallen is to be found,
while Ballinakill town is shown as having a castle and a few houses ;
these, and a castle, represented at Sampson's Court, are the only objects
to be seen. The town of Ballinakill is situated in the parish of Dysert
Gallen, on the southern verge of the barony of Cullenagh, Queen's
County. The River Nore is about two miles distant. The Owenbeg,
which above Ballinakill has been formed into a succession of delightful
artificial lakes and miniature cascades within Heywood demesne, is a
tributary, which, passing iit-ar the town, joins the Nore at Rosconnell.
Ballinakill is surrounded by a very beautiful and fertile country, situated
south-west by south from Dubhn, from which it is distant about fifty
miles by way of Timahoe. From Maryborough, the county town, it
lies ten miles south-south-east. -2 It is a market and post-town — the
1^ See " Parliamentary Gazetteer of ~° See " Collections relating to the
Ireland," vol. ii., ]>. 108. Dioceses of Kildare and Leighlin,"
^'^ See John C. hhclc's " Ecclesiastical vol. iii., pp. 102 to loy.
liej^'ister," ^Vc, p. 131. -' Ballygormill, in Fossy parish, enters
I'' See ibid. the northern part ol this map in a small
IS See " I'aiiiainentary Gazetteer of angle.
Ireland," vol. ii., p. idS. '--See Lewis's "Topographical
!"■* See " 'L he Irish Chiircii Directory Dictionary of Ireland," vol. i., p.
and Year-Book for 1903," p. 144. 109.
234 HISTORY OF THE OUEEN S COUNTY.
ft
market held on Saturda}' — having wide streets and an elevated market-
square. Fairs are held in it monthly throughout the year. 23 It contains
a Roman Catholic and a Protestant church, both handsome and solidh-
built structures, and in immediate proximity, divided only by a high
wall. They open on the principal street. This town has a dispensar\-
within the Abbeyleix Poor Law Union. A military barrack, having
accommodation for two troops of cavalry, was there in the beginning
of the last century, but at present it is unoccupied. National schools
also have been there erected and maintained.
Although of some antiquity, only in the year 1606, a grant was
made by King James I. to Sir T. Coatch, proprietor of the Manor of
(lalline, to hold a weekly market on Wednesday and Saturday, as also
fairs in Ballinakill. Soon afterwards, Sir Tliomas Ridgway, baronet,
])lanted an English colony here, and a castle was built for their ])ro-
tection. Tlie same monarch, in the loth year of his reign, a.d. 1612,
granted a Charter of Incorporation to Ballinakill, whereby it was con-
stituted a borough, with the privilege of sending two members to the
Irish Parliament. -4 The sovereigns, burgesses and freemen formed
the constituents. However, by this charter, the site of the castle was
excluded from the corporation's jurisdiction. The limits of the quondam
borough, measured from the centre of the town, extended on the north,
about one English mile along the road to Dublin ; oq the east, about
sixty perches to Comerford's former brewery, near the Owenbeg River ;
on the south, one hundred and twenty perches ; and on the west,
about one hundred and twenty perches to Mr. Stubbard jMullin's demesne
wall. During the Insurrection of 1641, the castle of Ballinakill, at first
successfully resisting an attemjit on it by (General Preston, -5 at length
fell into the possession of the Confederate Catholics. However, it was
cannonaded from Warren Hill, adjoining Heywood demesne, by General
Fairfax. Although bravely defended, the garrison was at length com-
pelled to surrender. -6 The castle was then destroyed. In 16S0, another
castle was built on its site, by the Dunnes ; but, it was never inhabited,
and only its ruins at present remain.
In the year iSoo, when the ]\Iarquis of Drogheda the proprietor
had api^ropnated this pocket-borough, for the inujiose of opening the
doors of Parliament to liis nominees, he received the whole of the ;^i5,ooo
of compensation mone}^ which was given by the Act of Union for the
loss of its franchise. At that time, all the burgesses, and most of the
freemen, were non-resident ; even the sovereign v/as generally non-
resident ; and this mockery of a corporation ceased to exist the instant
its parliamentary franchise was destro3'ed.-7 A borough court, held
by the sovereign or his deputy, ceased also in 1800. About twenty-
two years later a manor court held in Ballinakill ceased ; and a quarter
sessions and petty sessions, formerly held in the town, have been trans-
ferred to Abbeyleix. Towards the close of the eighteenth and beginning
of the last century, considerable trade was carried on here, it being
then a fine market and fair for grain, horses, cattle, sheep, and all other
23 See "The National Gazetteer," pp. 385, 3S6. Oxford edition. 1851,
vol. i., p. 151. 8vo.
2* See the " Parliamentaxy Gazetteer 26 See Lewis's "Topographical Dic-
of Ireland," vol. i., p. 131. tionary of Ireland," vol. i., p. 109.
2s See Thomas Carte's " Life of James, 27 See the "Parliamentary Gazetteer
Duke of Ormond," vol. ii., book iii., of Ireland," vol. i., p. 131.
PARISH OF DYSERT GALLEN. 235
agricultural products. Three tan3'ards, a bolting mill, a brewery and
several woollen factories -S gave steady employment to numbers ot
the townspeople. Those are nearly extinct at present. Formerly fairs
were held on the i6th of January and February, on the 22nd of March
and April, on the 13th of May, on the fii-st Thursday after Whit Sunday,
on the 13th of June and July, on the 12th of August, on the i6th of
September, October, November and December.-9 The weekly market
formerly held on Wednesday has long been discontinued ; that which
IS held on Saturday has also greatly declined, owing to the attractions
of a new market on that same day, jn the not distant town of Abbeyleix.
The Earl of Stanhope is Lord of the Manor, and chief proprietor of
BalHnakill, at the present time. The beautiful demesne of Heywood,
now possessed by Lieutenant-Colonel Poe, is remarkable for its romantic
site, growth of timber, natural and artificial adornments. 30 The old
mansion-house is undergoing quite a transformation, and wings are
being added to it of large extension ; the whole when completed must
form one of the most elegant and architectural residences in the Queen's
County.
In Dysert Gallen parish about one mile and a-half south of Ballinakill,
and situated beside the river which flows past Ironmills, is the greatly
crowded graveyard of Kilcronan, at the angle of two roads. 3 1 Near
it, a bridge crosses the river. Fine flowering hawthorn3 were around
the burial ground in the month of May, when visited by the present
writer, now many years ago. There, too, a shocking spectacle was
presented, as the River Owenbeg had carried away m its flood a great
portion of the graveyard, composed chiefly of the rank loam earth,
formed by decaying human remains from very remote times. Pieces
ot coflins and bones were to be seen protruding in thick layers, where
the soil had given way. This sight alone revealed the great antiquity
of the cemetery, or at least its frequent use in past ages. It was the
favourite burying place, not alone for families in the adjoining town
of Ballinakill, but m all the surrounding country. The old church arose
within the graveyard, but now it is almost levelled to the ground. It
measured 42 feet in length by 17 feet in breadth interiorly ; while the
walls were 3 feet m thickness. The traces of the old foundations yet
remain, with a fragment of the west end and south side-wall. In the
-8 See Sir Charles Coote's " General Survey Townland Maps for the Queen's
View of the Aojicullure and Manu- County," Sheet So.
factures of the yueen's County," chap. ^- See " Leabhar Breac, the Speckled
vii., sect. 4. Book, otherwise styled Leabhar Mor
-^ Fairs were entitled to be held Duna Doishre, the Great Book of
likewise on April 3rd, July 22nd, Dun Doighre ; a collection of pieces
November 5th and December iSth ; in Irish and Latin, compiled from,
but, in most instances, these onlv exist ancient sources, about the close of the
on paper, since the trade of Ballinakill fourteenth century," p. 21, col. 4.
declined. This mafjnificently-produced volume,
3** " In forming this demesne, due in elephant quarto and thick paper,
advantage has been taken of the natural was published for the first time in
features of the ground. These features Dublin, a.d. 1876. The original manu-
are the lovely little verdant hills, knolls, script, of which this is an exact repro-
and valleys, which kind nature has duction. is now in the Library of the
liberally scattered around." — James Royal Irish Academy.
Fraser's " Hand Book for Travellers in 23 gee " Irish Ecclesiastical Record,"
Ireland," No. 84, p. 410. vol. vii.. No. Ixxix., April i, 1871, u.
31 It is shown on the " Ordnance 23, p. 342, old series.
236 HISTORY OF THE QUEEN's COCNTY.
latter was the customary alcove for altar re(]uisites. The history of this
church seems to have beeu buried in oblivion ; but, from the name,
we suppose it to liavc lieen dedicated to one of the numerous saints,
called Cronan, as found in the Irish Calendars. From an account of
the Saints of Erin, as found in the " Lealjfiar Breac," 32 we read about
Crocha, one among the seven sons of Torlicn, son to Nuachadh. This
Crocha is said to have been from Cill Crochan — jorobably owing to some
connection he had with such place — on the boundary of Leix and Ossory. v^
We are strongly inclined to suspect, there is some error of spelliixg in the
" Leabhar Breac " ; and that Crocha may be an error for Cronan, and
that Cill Crochan may have been substituted for Cill Cronan. Tlic
situation indicated well ajiplies to the present place, and we know ol
no other locality as described suitably agreeing with the description.
CHAPTER XXIV.— Parish of Erke or Eirke.
This parish is situated, partly in the extreme south-western angle ol
the Queen's County, within the baronies of Clandonagh ^ and Clarmal-
lagh,'2 and partly in tie County of Kilkenny, m the barony of Galmoy.'^
About 2,000 acres of this parish are under l)(\g ; in other places, ihc
land is of fair average quality', and a considerable portion of it may
be regarded as excchent. The highest kind — reaching to 555 feet —
is in the Clandonagh section of Eirke parish. Some notices of it are
to be found in the Ordnance Survey Records. 4 Eirke, reported to have
been situated in Upper Ossory in 1657, contained fourteen townlands,
and it was then estimated to have been worth /60 per annum. One
moiety of the parsonage in titlie was possessed by Florence FitzPatrick,
lisq.; another share belonged to Mr. Edmond Shea ; and another was
held by Lord Upper Ossory. At that period the church was in ruins. 5
This living was a rectory and vicarage in the diocese of Ossory, the
patronage being in the Crown, and the tithes amounting to ^^692 6s. i^d.
in 1S37. The glebe-house was built by aid of /loo as a gift, and /800
from the Board of First Fruits. The glebe comprised 15a. 25/). As
a])})lotted under the Tithe Act, this parish was valued at £"1,370 6s.
A Protestant church — a plain building — was erected here in 1824,^
and towards its erection, the Board of First Fruits lent £650. In 1831
the population of this parish was 5,565 persons ; those of the Galmoy
section amounting to 3,802 of that number. In 1834, fbere were 5.535
Roman Catholics in this parish : the Protestants numbered 154. In
1841, the population had increased to 5,678, the houses being 925 — oi
these 640 were in the Galmoy section.7 The tithe composition was then
1 This portion contains 3,685^. or. S/. Queen's County collected during the
- This portion contains 2, 3t)4"- I''- i^P- Progress of the Orchiance Survey 111
See " Ordnance Survey Townland Maps 183S," voh i. Letter of John O'Donovan,
for the Queen's County," Sheets 2>3> 34- dated Mountrath, November 2Sth, 1838,
^ This portion forms by far the largest pp. 92, 93.
division, and it consists of 12, ^^j--,a. Of. ^ See Sir Charles Coote's "General
\op. See it described on the " Ordnance View of the Agriculture and Manu-
Survey Townland Maps for the County factures of the Queen's County," chap.
of Kilkenny," Sheets 3, 7, 8, 12. i., sect 3., p. 8.
* See " Letters containing Informa- '^ Sec " The National Gazetteer,"
tion relative to the yVntiquities of the vol. i., p. 914-
V -f" ^ 'St'
/7/,)/„ h\'\
l-OSSV CHUUCH.
/:. ()'/..
Sl-c pai^e 237.
\ ol. !.
TIMAHOH.
(I- 1. mi (ir(i-M''s .lii//ij!ii/hs).
),iij,c 240
PARISH OF FOSSY OR TIMAHOE. 237
/"602 6s. 3d. ; the glebe was valued at £22 los. ; the gross income was
{724 OS. lod. ; s the nett was £613 3s. yd. ; the curate having a salary
of /70.9 Two Roman Catholic chapels were then in the parish. Also
tliL^ houses and demesnes of Mount Pleasant, Bagswell, Rathpatrick,
Hallydonnel, Kyle, Lavally, and Ballinfrost, are ])leasing features of its
>ccnery. The surface is generally very hilly, and the soil is ot varying
quality, with an abundance of limestone, and coal,io that as yet has
been only partially worked.
CHAPTER XXV.— The Parish of Fossy or Timahoe.
The parish of Fossy receives its name from the townland in which tlie
old parish church — now in ruins- — was situated. According to a con-
jecture of Mr. O'Donovan, the name seems to be Anghcized from
Fassach,^ a wilderness. Such an etymological derivation might probably
a]iply to the place, when the church was first founded there ; and even
at the present day, there is a wild and desolate-looking hill appearing
to the south-east. At present, the neighbourhood around is tolerablv
well populated. The surface is generally very hilh', and the soil is of
varying qualit}^ with an abundance of limestone, and coal - that as
yet has been onh^ partially worked. There is an account bf tb.is parish
in the Ordnance Survey Records. 3
The existing ruined church at Fossy is a building of no great antiquity,
bluing a chapel probably built, or at least remodelled, a little before or
about the commencement of the seventeenth centur^^ No tradition or
historic record remains regarding the founder or patron saint. On the
interior, tliis church measures about 38 feet in length by 18 feet in
breadth. The eastern gable contained a large pointed window, which
is now almost reduced to a breach, whilst we can only reasonably infer
that the western gable contained an entrance doorway, no part of which
now appears, if we except a few distinguishable corner fragments near
the foundations. From the apex of the roof to the very ground, the
central portion of this gable has given way, and the more original
windows in the north and south walls have crumbled to decay. Tlierc
is a square window, however, in each of these walls, apparently of a
more modern date than those already' destro^^ed. An Inquisition, taken
at I\Iary borough in the ninth year of Queen Elizabeth's reign, states that the
district comprised in this parish was named Ferane prior, or Prior's land,
from a respectable family of the name living in that country. It is also
thus designated, on the old maji of Leix and Ophaly. The patron of this
parish was Mochua, also called iMogue. In the " Martyrology of Tallaght," 4
■^ See Lewis's " Topographical Die- ~ See " The National Gazetteer,"
tionarv of ]rclan<l," vol. i., p. 597. vol. ii., j). 55.
■^ The ClaiKlona,i;h yueen's County ■' Sl-c " Letters containing Information
section coutaini'tl 1,133 souls and 1S2 relative to the Antiipiities of the Queen's
houses. County collected during the Pi'ogi'ess of
'■' See " Parliamentary Gazetteer of the Ordnance Survev in 1S38," vol. i.
Ireland," vol. ii., p. 173. John O'Donovan's Letter, dated Strad-
1'^ See " The National Gazetteer," vol. bally, December 9th, 1S3S, pp. 264 to
ii., p. 55. 270.
1 In the Irish language written ' Edited by the Rev. Dr. Kelly,
pAfAch. p. xxxix.
^3S
HISTORY OF Tlli£ OUEEN S COUNTY.
at the 24th of December occurs a festival in hon(~)ur of ^locua !MacLonain,
i.e., Cronan. It seems to have been Colgan's intention, as we learn from
his list of unpublished MSS., to have mserted a life of St. Mochua at
the 24th of DecemiKu-. At the same date, the "Martyrology of Donegal"5
also registers Mochua, son of Lonan, of Tigh jNlochua, m Laoighis, in
Leinster. He descended from the race of Eochaidh Finnfuathairt,
from whom Brighit is descended. Fineacht, daughter of Loichin, son
to Dioma Chiret, of Cill Chonaigh, was his mother. From him, Timahoe
and Timogue derive their denominations.
One of the earliest and most celebrated, among the local saints of
Leix, was Mochua, IMochoe, or Cuan, the son of Luan, who derived his
descent from the illustrious race of Lugne.6 Mochua descended from
the posterity of Cathaoir More. 7 At lirst, he was a warrior, but at
thirty years of age, he became a Christian convert, and afterwards he
embraced the monastic profession. He also assumed the clerical habit.
Admonished by chvine inspiration, he came to a place, where he erected
a rehgious house, called alter him Teach-]\Iochua,*^ and at present known
as Timahoe. An uninhabited house, which served as a hospice, was near
the monastery or cell. Here he seems to have permanently resided,
until towards the close of his career. Then he wished to seek a more
retired spot ; and, as we are told, he journeyed towards the north to
visit St. Patnck.9 At a place called Dayrinis,io he finally settled and
built a church. He there remained for a lapse of thirty years, and
departed this life on the Kalends of January, having attained the ex-
treme age of ninety-nine. He is said to have erected thirty churches,
with 120 cells, in Ireland. St. Patrick most assuredly did not live
5 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves,
P- 347-
° The Acts of this saint were com-
mnuicated to the BoUandists by Father
Hugh Ward. The Life is said to have
been compiled from old Irish records
ileserving of credit. Yet, in it some
anachronisms may be detected. See
" Acta Sanctorum," tomus i., Januarii i.,
p. 45 to 47-
7 Acctirdiu;; to Rev. Dr. Geohry
Iveating's " General History of Ireland,"
second book, p. 397, Duffy's edition.
8 Anglicized, " Alochua's House." See
Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the Four
Masters," vol. i., p. 530, n. (q).
" If he arrived there, wliile St. Patrick
was living, this seems inconsistent with
the account in those Acts, that he was
intimate witli St. Fintan Munnu, the
Leper, who died on the 21st of October,
A.D. 634. He is likewise said to have
been visited by a noble-born and wise
cleric, Colman Ela, who had a cell at a
place called Glernssen. There is a
St. Colman Eala, Abbot of Lynally,
who died on the 26th of September,
.\.D. 610. But, it may be questioned,
if he be the cleric mentioned in St.
Mochua's acts. Perhaps Glernssen may
prove to have been a mistake for Glenn -
Uissen, now Killeshin, which lay among
the mountains uf jNlairg, noticed in this
old Life. When a certain St. Kienan
had completed his church, St. Mochua
went over the mountain called Mairg
to assist at its consecration. There are
three saiiits bearing the name of Kienan
in our Calendars. One is venerated at
the 25th of February, and who liourishcd
in Armoric Britain, about the middle
of the sixth century, according to
Colgan. Another is St. Kienan, Bishop
of Duleek, who died on the 24th of
November, a.d. 488, according to the
Four Masters. Another St. Cianan,
but undistinguished, has a festival at
the 29th of November, in the " Alarty-
rology of Donegal.'" A holy man,
named Molua, probably the founder of
Clonfert Molua, now Kyle, near Borris-
in-Ossory, is stated in the life of Mochua
to have departed before him, and his
death is placed at a.d. 605, by the
Annals of the Four Masters, or at
A.D. 60S, in those of Ulster.
*° Dairinis or Molana, formerly an
island in the River Blackwater, is now
united to the shore, and its position
is shown on the " Ordnance Survey
Townland Maps for the County of
Watcrford," Sheet ^y.
PARISH OF FOSSY OR TI.MAHOE.
239
beyond the close of the hl'th century ; and, if it happened, that St.
Mochua was a contenii~iorary, liis hfe must be assigned to that, or to a
j)criod perhaps not long subsequent to it. But there is no warrant for
Archdall's statement, ^ that he died a.d. 497 ; this being tlie date of death
lecorded for St. Mochai, Abbot of Aendruim, or Mahee Island, m
Strangford Lough, i- and with him the founder of Timahoe appears to have
been confounded. Although the period of St. Mochua has been referred
to the sixth century ; yet, it is even more probable, he lived so late
as the seventh century; for we are mtormed,i3 that he died during
the reign of Domhnall, or Daniel, as monarch over Ireland. This term
of sovereignty lasted from a.d. 624 to bjg.14 There may be reasons
to suspect, however, that the patron of Timahoe has been again mis-
taken for St. iMochuda, Bishop of Lismore, who died ^lay 14th, a.d.
636, or perhaps for St. Mochua, Abbot of Balla, who died a.d. 637.15
Nor does it seem certain, that the feast of St. Mochua, venerated at
Timahoe, sliould be assigned to the ist of January, since in the Irish
Calendar of the O'Clerys, it is set down at the 24th day of December.'^
We do not meet with any further notice of the religious house erected
at Timahoe, in our Annals, until towards the close of the ninth century.
Then, the death of its Abbot, Focarta, son of Dubhdacheal, is com-
memorated, at a.d. S80.17
Formerly, no doubt, a church and a monastic establishment were
situated beside the hue and well-proportioned " pillar»-tower," which
still proudly lifts its head on high. A place for burial is known to have
been near. Notwithstanding those human remains, which are
frequently disturbed about the place by persons when engaged
in digging, yet, the old cemetery has long been disused as a place for
mterments ; so that, not a single vestige of a tomb or of a grave can
be seen at present. Still it seems probable, tliat portions of the former
religious buildings are there traceable. Surrounded on every side by
mountain ranges of considerable height, and having a clear gurgling
stream called the Bauteogue River descending from them, the present
xillage of Timahoe and the interesting ruins still there are situated
within a beautiful valley. The parish itself, otherwise named Fossy,
IS m the barony of Cullenagh. The village flanks a fair green with a
few well-built houses and these too surroimd the decayed vestiges
of its former history.
In the parish of Fossy, are situated the niins of Timahoe Round
Tower, in a tolerable state of preservation, with the military and ecclesia-
stical remains in its immediate vicinity. The tower rises to the height
of 96 feet, and measures round the base 57 feet, on the outside circum-
ference.^s Six offsets appear on the inside, each one of which seems
1' See " Monasticon Hibernicum," p. the Four Masters," vol. i., pp. 246 to
598. 257.
^2 According to the Annals of 'richer- ^^ Accordine; to the "Annals of
nagh. In those of Innisfallen, at Clonmacnoise," at that year, and his
A.D. 490 ; in those of Ulster, at .\.d. feast is assigned to the 30th of March.
493, and again at 498 ; in those of the i** See Rev. Drs. Todd and Reeves'
Four Masters, at a.d. 496, his death is edition of the " ]Martyrology of Donegal,"
recorded. pp. 346, 347.
1' By Rev. Dr. Keating in his i'' See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of
"General History of Ireland," second the Four Masters," vol. i., pp. 530, 531.
book, p. 397. '^ Tliere is an engraving of Die
'*See Dr. O'l^onovan's "Annals of round tower and castle at Tiinahoo,
240 HISTORY OF THE Ol'i:i£N S COUNTY.
to liavc sustained a laiKling. The two first stories were not liglited
by any window or aj^erture ; the third story was hj^lited on the eastern
side, or very nearly so, only by the duorwaw the base of which is exacth'
16 feet from the ground ; the fourth story was lighted by a window,
opening on the south side, projecting somewhat, and having a pointed
top ; the fifth story received light from a small square window, placed
exactly in the nortli ; whilst the sixth story was lighted by a square
window, much injured on the exterior, and ojxming on the west side
of the tower. Four triangularly-headed windows, each al:)out 7 feet
in height, and nearly facing the four cardinal points, occu})ied a place
in the highest story, being situated immediately under the conical
roof or bciDui-cliohJiar, which was ver\' much mjured. Of late years,
the Board of Public Works undertook the repair, and completely
destroj'ed the original coved roof, of wliicli the author took a sketch
in December, 1853. This he has ])rcsrrved, and on comparing it with
the engra\-ing in the " Anthologia HibL-i'iiica." he iincls the latter
coved roof had been too much elevated. However, the Architect of the
Board of Public Works has brought it to a ])yramidically-rounded cone
and to a mere point at the apex — a shape it did not originall}^ possess. The
doorway of this tower measures from the turning of the arch to the base,
5 ft. 10 in. ; from the outer centre ol the arch to the base, 7 ft. gin. ;
from the inner centre of the arch to the I'ase, 7 feet :^ inches ; from the
opposite side to the sj)ringing of the arch, 2 feet 7 inches ; and from
the opposite sides at the base, 2 feet 9 inches. The outer part of the
doorway contains two concentric arches, the internal one of which is
elaborately carved. The internal arch whicli spans the top of the doorway
is ornamented with lozenge-shaped tracery, presenting a beautiful
appearance to one looking upwards, and standing on the lower sill at
tlic entrance. ft sj^rings from columns, with ornamental capitals,
grotesque heads, and s])iral ornaments, somewhat resembling a true-
lover's knot, and forming the decorative features. The doorway
projects 4 inches from the wall, and its entire thickness is 4 feet 6 inches.
One of the characteristics of ancient Irisli doorways, being more narrow
at the top than bottom in round towers and old churches, is here ex-
hil)ited, but not in a very marked degree. 'i~he mternal ]xirt of the door-
way, opening on the inside of the tower, is lower, and more narrow than
the external ])art. It consists of two columns, irom whicli an elaborately
ornamented semi-circular arch springs. The height to the top of
capitals where the arch springs is 5 feet, the breadth i foot
qh inches, and the breadth below, i foot 11 inches. The two
capitals of this internal — unlike the external — part of the doorway,
are without sculptured heads. The lower part of the columns exhibits
very curious gyral and lozenge-shaped decorations. lietween the
external and the internal parts of this doorway, on either side, two
litte flutes or staffs project from the wall. They are exactly the height
of those columns on the internal part of the doorway, and they exhibit
very curiously sculptured faces on each. One face is at top, and the
Queen's County, from a view by Lieu- do(.)i'\\a\- is one of the ninth or tenth
tenant D;inir! Cirose, a.d. 1792, in C(_-ntui\'. .iml differing materiall}' in
Grose's " Antitjuities of Ireland," vol. sizl' and other characteristics from all
ii., pp. II, 12. tlie doorways of other round towers
^^ In Mr. O'Donovan's opinion the examiticd liy him.
PARISH OF FOSSV OR TIMAHOE. * 2J,\
other at bottom. It is (.liflicult to understand how the door of this
opening was fastened. i'>
Among the structures of its class throughout Ireland, the Round
Tower at Timahoe is one of the most remarkable. Not only accurate
])ictorial illustrations of very great interest but even descripti\'e
p;irticulars of its arcliitecture, of its admeasurements, and of its style,
are to be found in an archaeological work, distinguished by learned ancl
careful research.-o For a long period, Timahoe seems to have Ijten the
seat for a monaster}^ and a bishop's see, as we hnd recorded in our Annals.
At A.D. 915,-1 is noticed the death of Mughron, son of Cinneidigli,
Lord of the three Comainns and of Laighis,-- who was killed at the battle
of Ceannfuait, together with six hundred of the Leinster forces, by
Sitric, the grandson of Imhar, and l^y his foreigners.23 Strange to say,
the tower is built of freestone, which is not a geological product of the
district. A considerable portion of the western side being better built
than any other part, leads to the natural conclusion, that the whole
building had been re-modelled.24 The Round Tower at Teach Mochua
lias heen referred to the close of the eighth or to the beginning of the
ninth century, as the period of its erection.^.s It is said, the O'Moores
of Leix established a religious house there in tlie tenth century. At
all events, we read, under the year 919, that Cairbre, son»of Fearadhacli,
head of the piet^- of Leinster, successor of Diarmaid, son to Aedh Roin,
airchinneach of Tigh-Mochua, and an anchorite, died after a good life
at a very advanced age.-"^ This same year is recordetl the burning of
tlie oratory of Mochua, together with that of Cluaineidneach, l)y tlie
foreigners. -7 The Abbot Meoyleke\'in died at Teacli-Mochua, A.i>.
925,-^ according to one account ; but, the O'Clerys have the death
of Maelcaeimhghin, son to Scannlan, Abbot of Teach-lMochua, entered
at A.D. 928.-'-' In 031, died the Abbot Cosgrach, the son of Moihno-
cheir}' ; 3" l^y the O'Clerys, he is styled the son of Alaelochoirgln,
Bishop of Teach-Mochua and of the Commans.31 In a note to Dualtl
MacFirbis' entry, at this same date, William M. Hennessy states, that
the Three Commauns were three septs originally settled in that district
comprising the southern part of the Queen's County and tlie noithern
ixirt of Kil]-:cnny.3-
In the Irish Annals, we read sometimes about the Bishop of Timahoe,
-*' See " The Ecclesiastical Architcc- ap]icars in a quarto work, piilili^hed 111
tiire of Ireland, anterior to the Anglo- London, 1830.
Norman Invasion, comprising an Essay -'' See Dr. George Petrie's " Kcclesia-
on the Origin and Uses of the Round stical Architecture of IrelantI, anterior
Towers of Ireland." By George Petrie, to the An'^lo-Nornian Invasion," tVc.,
R.H.A., part ii., sect, iii., sub-sect. 2, pp. part ii., sect, iii., sub-sect. 2, pp. 2^2 to
233 to 239. 234.
-' The Annals of Ulster have the date -'' See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals ot
916, alias 917. the Four Masters," vol. ii., pp. Aoo. Ooi.
-- In the old English translation of -" See ihid., pp. G06, 607.
the Ulster Annals, he is called simply -'^ See Arclulall's " Alonasticon Hiber-
Ogran MacCinnedi, King of Lea^-e. nicum," p. 59S.
-^ See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of -'•' See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals ot
the Four Masters," vol. ii., pp. 588 to the Four Masters," vol. ii., pp. 622, (03.
591, and n. (i). ^" See Arclulall's " Monasticon Hiber-
24 A view of this Round Tower, and uiciun," p. 598.
the ruins adjoining, drawn by Robert -'^ See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of
O'Callaghan Newenham, Ebq., and the Four Masters," vol. ii., pp. 62(1, (S27.
lithograiihed by James D. Harding, ^- See " Proceedings of the Ko\-al
242 IIISTORV OF TIIK QI'KEN's C(n'XTY.
and of the Commauns. 33 The celebrated Iiish scholar, John O'Donovan,
LL.D., has siipjiosed that the Commauns were in the northern part of
Kilkenny County; whereas, the Rev. Dr. James Henthorn Todd is
of oj)inion, that they were situated also in the southern part of the
Queen's Count\-. It slcius to us, that the mountainous district adjoin-
ing Timahoe, and designated the Commons of Fossy, must have been
identical with the Commauns named in connection with the former
place. Even, at this jnesent time, the Commons of Fossy, which were
immediately near Timahoe, are yet traditionally remembered by the
people of that neighbourhood, as freehold properties, long possessed by
their ancestors, until their titles were extinguished, after the beginning of
the last ceuiury. The following succession of ecclesiastics in Timahoe
is thus registered in our Annals : Finguine, son of Fubhthaidh, son to
Donnagan, son of Fogartach, son to Dninechdha,34 son of Bearach,
son to Mescell, and the Vice- Abbot of Tcach-Mochua, died a.d. g^j6.35
He was also Lord of ]\Iach-x\.bhna.36 As v;e learn from the annalistic
entry, a school existed at Timahoe, in the middle of the tenth century.
In 951, died Gormgall, prelector of this abbey ; 37 while, at the same
year, the O'Clerys place the death of Gormghal^ Lector of Teach-IMochua
and Inis Robhartaigh. In g6g, died the Abbot of Teach-Mochna,
Finguine O'FiachrachJS or Ua-Fiachrach.39 In looi, died the Abb')t
of Teach-Mochua,4o Conaing 0'Fiachrach,4i or , Ua-Fiachrach.42
In the year 1007, the Abbot of Teach-Mochua, Finsneachta
0'Fiachrac"h,i3 or Fmsnechta Ua Fiachra, died.44 From the latter
annalistic entries, the dynastic rule of a particular family seems to have
prevailed in a succession of abbots.
The sanctuars' of Teach- j\Iochua-mic-Lonain — another name for
Timahoe — was violated in the year 1041. MacConin slew Cuciche Ua
Dunlaing, lord of Laeghis, his son, and his wife Cailleoc ; but, on the
day following, their death was avenged by Ua Broenain,45 who killed
MacConin, and this was regarded as a great miracle, through the inter-
vention of St. i\Iochua.4'^ In the year 1142, Teach Mochua was burned, 47
and we are told that afterwards it was re-founded by the O'Moores.48
Irish Academy." Irish Manuscript the Four Masters," vol. ii., pp. 668,
Series, vol. i., part i., pp. ku, 103. 669.
See also pp. 12S. 129. ^" See Archdall's " Monasticon Hiber-
■"^ Such mode of expression indicates, nicum," p. 598.
that the distinguished jurisdiction of *° See Dr. O'Donovau's " Annals of
the local Bishup cousistcd of conter- the Four Masters," vol. ii., pp. 694, 695.
miuous districts. ""i See Archdall's " Monaslicon Hiber-
"' He was tiie brother of Cathal, nicnm," p. 598.
ancestor to the O'Mores of Laeighis or '2 See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of
Leix, in the Queen's County. the Four Masters," vol. ii., pp. 744, 745.
^^ See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of ^^ See Archdall's " Monasticon Hiljer-
the Four Masters," vol. ii., pp. 634, nicum," p.- 598.
635, and nn. (m, n). ■*■* See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of
^•^ This is probably a mistake for the Four Masters," vol. ii., pp. 758, 759.
O m-Biiidhe, or Omuigh. This latter *^ Anglicized O'Bronnan.
was the ancient name lor that district, *'• See Dr. 0'Dono\-au's " Annals of
in wluch Teach-Mocluia, or Timahoe is the Four INIasters," vol. ii., pp. 840, 841,
situated. See " Leabhar na g-Ceart," and n. (o).
or the Book of Rights, " edited by ''■? See ibid., pp. 1066, T067.
John O'Donovan, p. J13, n. (a). ""^ See Lc^s■is "Topographical Dic-
2'' See Archdall's " ]Muuasticon Hiber- tionary of Ireland," vol. ii., p. 625.
nicum," p. 598. *'■' See " Expugnatio Ilibernice," by
28 See Dr. O'Donovan's " .\nnals of Giraldus Cambrensis, cap. x.xv.
PARISH OF FOSSY OK TIMAIIOF.
243
In the reign of Henry II., among many castles Imilt in Lcinster by Hugh
de Lacy, he erected one at Tachmeho in Leix, which he gave to Meilerms
as also he gave his niece to be ^vife of this same lAIeyler Fitzhenry -I'J
A coarb of IMochua— it is doubtful if this means of Timahoe— had a "son
named John O'Hughroin, who became bishop of Elphin, and who died
at Rath-Aedha-mic-Bric,5o now Rathugii,5i in 1246. The taxation for
Taghmoho (Timahoe) in 1302-1307 for the Holy War was 8 marks—
the Tenth being los. Sd.S^
It is related, that the Cosby family—when in possession of the
manor of Timahoe— built a castle there, during the reign of Queen
Elizabeth.53 At the period of the Suppression, that Oueen granted the
abbey, with the lands appertaining, to Sir Thomas Loftus. He died
there, m the monastery or castle, at Tymoghoe, a.d. 1635.54. Durin-'-
the War of the Confederation, Colonel Lewis, O'Moore and his men held
possession of this place.55 However the English general i\Ionk defeated
the Irish, under General Preston, in a battle [(jught near this town,
A.D. 1642.56 The ruins close beside the Round Tower are in great part
traces of the former castle, which stood there, in the seventeenth century
We find it stated, that Anne the daughter of Sir Thomas Loftus, married
Francis, son of Richard Cosby. This latter received a grant of the
monastery lands of Timahoe in 1609, probably by assignment.57
Timahoe was an impropriate Rectory, having a restdence. Its vicar
was Richard Meredith, a Master of Avis, and a preaching minister. The
worth of this living was £10. The church and its chancel were in good
repair, and furnished with books. In the Report of the Commission
issued from the Lord Protector's Court of Chancery, and dated Dublin'
July 30th, 1657, we learn, that Tymoge,5S or Timahoe, in rullenagh,'
hath four townlands worth ^(16 per annum, and that the patron was the
Earl of Kildare.59 A tradition holds, that friars dwelt in the abbey at
Timahoe until a.d. 1650, when Colonels Hewson and Reynolds over-ran
the Queen's County.^jo
The Round Tower of Timahoe is vet in a good state of preservation,
and many of its details are of exceeding great beauty. Beneath it are
other crumbling walls, not dating back apparently to the age of its
erection. We are presented with a well-linished engraving, purporting
to rejnesent the Round Tower and ruins at Timahoe, as these stood
=° It means the Fort of lli'.-li, the John T. Gilhcrt, K.S.A., :\I.R.r.A. .S:c
son of Brec ; he was a saint who \m1. i., p. 91.
flourished iu the sixth century. :-; xiie pursuit was stopped by Coiontd
A parish in the barony of Mov- Lewis O'RIoore, who arrived opportunely
cashel, and in the County of Westmeath. with a party of horse, not far distant
" See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of from Mr. Barrington, of Cullentra'di
the Four Masters," vol. hi., pp. 310, 317. (Cullenagh), where there was an English
and n. (1). Also see the " Calendar of garrison. See ibiJ.
Documents relating to Ireland," pre- " See " Antholugia Hibernica " vol
served in lier Majesty's PubUc Record iv., p. 349.
Office, London, edited by Henry S. as n „o,.v forms a distinct parochial
bweetman and G. F. Handcock, p. j^S. denomination, and it lies north of
f^s See Lewis' " Topographical Die- Timahoe ; it is also conterminous
tionary of Ireland," vol. n., p. 625. s^ See Sir Charles Coote's " Statistical
See Anthologia Hibernica," vol. Survey of the Queen's County " chao
IV., p. 349- i., sect, i., p. 11. ^'
" See Richard Belling's " History of 60 Amongst their other acts of cruelty
the Irish Confederation and the War in and devastation, these leaders are said
Ireland," 1641-1643, &c. Edited by to have murdered all the friars of this
244 IIISTOUV OV THE OUEKN's COUNTY.
towards the close of the last century. ^i However, the subject of that
etclung is not easily reco.guisable by comparing it with the existing
ruins. <^2 East of Kilcohnanbane there is an angle of Timahoe or Timechoe
Parish shown, 63 on Sir William Petty's Maps. Timahoc, including
Luggaciu-ren and Timogue, brings f2io annually to the incunibent.^'i
In the Catholic arrangement, Timahoe and Fossey are united to the parish
of Stradballv.<'5
One of tile most rcmarlcable feats of human agility, nerve, courage,
endurance, and skill coml)ined, happened here on the 2nd of July, 1S27,
when a young country man, named Daniel Keane, climbed
the Round Tower on the outside without any assistance whatever,
and crowned the exploit by standing on his head when he reached
the topmost cone. He there fastened, and left his coat on the top, as
a memento of the performance.'^'^ It is stated, that the adventurous
climber had been a sailor. He safely descended also, and in the presence
of a large concourse of spectators."7 He won a lai-ge sum of money
through the wager made for the occasion. About that period, also,
the Kev. Cornelius Bowling, P.P. of Stradballw and of Timahoe, com-
menced the erection of a handsome new Catholic church in the latter
village, which he li\-ed to see complett'd, and in which that veneral)le
ecclesiastic now lies intci-red. The clunch is dedicated to St. Patrick,
and it replaces a wretched thatched house, wliich stobd dismantled,
but which was to be seen, within the writer's memory.
CHAPTER XXVL — Pakisii of Kit.colmaxb ank.
Partly within the Barony of Cullenagh,i i^^t chiefly withm that of
Maryborough West,- lies the Parish of Kilcolemanbane, sometimes
written Kilcommonbawne. It is ti'aversed by the road from IMaryborough
to Ballinakill. The land is of middle-rate quality, for the most part,
with a considerable surlat'e of bog. In it Slieliield, Rathleague and
Woodville are the chief residences. Tliis parish is noticed in the
Ordnance Survev Records. 3 A saint named Colman Ban. or tlu' " white"
or " fair Colman?' is noletl in our Irisli Calendars as having been venerated
on the iQth of October ; v and to us it seems most probable, that he
was the first founder of a church in that place, which deri\'es its de-
nomination from him. That he flourished at a very early date, is
place, and to have tlismantlcd this '"'^ Sec an account of its rchgious
abbcv. The spot, where they were history in JNhist Rev. Jiiishop Comerford's
massacred, is still pointed out and " Collections relalint; to the t^iocese of
calleil " l^ohcr a wurther," or l/w Kildarc and Leighlm," vol. hi., pp. t,66
viurderiitii load." to 372.
•"■ See the " Anthologia Hibernica," '^" See " Picturesque views of the
vol. iv., p. S49- Antiquities of Irelanil," drawn on
<"'- Their site is shown on the " Ord- stone by James D. Harding, from the
nance Survey Townland Maps for the sketches of Koliert O'Callaghan Newen-
Queen's County," Sheet iS. ham, Esq.. vol. i., p. 19.
63 Nearly corresponding with this, "^^ Althou.trh very young at that
is Valiancy's copy of the Maps in Paris, time, the writer has a distinct recoUec-
vol. ii., No. 64. Record Office, Dublin, tion of crowds leaving Stradbally to
8* Se'e " The Irish Church Directory witness that feat so successfully
and Year-Book for 1903," p. 125. accompUshetl.
PARISH OF KILCOLMAXBANE. 245
manliest from the fact, that lie has been recorded in the •• Alartyrology
of Tahaght/'S The exact period, however, is unknown.
There are ruins of a very old church within the grave^-ard, with its
divisions of choir and nave yet exhibited ; but they arc in a sad state
of dilapidation and decay. To the east lie the beautiful demesne and old
house, once inhabited by Sir John Tydd, later on by Judge Moore,
and at present owned by the Sweetman family. Near Kilcolmanbane
commenced that fierce attack of Owny MacRory O' Moore on the Earl
of Essex and his English forces, and which is known in Irish history
as the battle at the Pass of Plumes, fought May 17th, 1509.^ This
parish is marked as Kilcolmanban on the old Map of Leix and Ophaly,
and Kilcolmanljane on the engraved Map of the Down Survey. Also,
the Castle of Ballyknockan, now in ruins, is within the extreme southern
limit of this parish, and on e\'cry side of its slightly elevated position
it is surrounded by reclaimed bog or moorland. In this parish likewise
is Ball\'carney, marked on the old Map of Leix and Ophaly, often referred
to as Ballycarnan, and placed in the country of the O'Lalors, called
Feranolalor.7 By patent of Queen Elizabeth, dated the i6th of October
in the nineteenth year of her reign, ^ Sir Robert Pigott of D\-sert,9 among
his other grants had the " rectory of Kilcolmanbane together with all
the churches, chai'cls, etc., to the same belonging, and also the pre-
sentation of a vickar to the church of Kilcolmanbane a|oresaid, to whom
belongeth the third part of all the tithes of the aforesaid parsonage."
During the reign of James 1., Kilcolmanbane was an impropriate
rectory, with a residence. The vicar was then Thomas llaslam. The
worth of this li\-ing was fj. The churcli and its chancel were in good
repair, l)ut tliere were no books except those the \-icar carried with him. 10
It had six townlands, and it was nn imj)roin"iation, worth, in 1640,
£60 per annum. Then it was set, lor tlie use of the Commonwealth,
at £2id. Besides it had one acre of glebe." On Sir William Petty's
Maps and within the East Maryborough barony division isjepresented
the Parish of Kilcolmanbane, with its parish church, Balleknockane
Castle, Ballecharnane House, and a skirt of Red Bog ; all represented
as forfeited land.'- (^n another j\Iap ^3 Kilcolmanbane Parish is given,
with the denominations and numbers of acres, shrubby pasture and
1 This portion contains 63S acres, i srr-cs, vol. i., No. xliii. " On the
rood, jj ])crclics. Identification of the .She of tlie Engaye-
- J'his portion contains 3,054 acres, nient at the Pass of Phiines," pp.
3 roods, jC pcrclies. The parish of 279 to 2S8.
Kilcohiianlmnc is described on the " See Thomas O'Conor's letter of
" Ordnance Snrvey Tovvnland i\Iaps December 6th, 1S38, vol. i., p. 189.
for tlie Queen's Conntv," Sheets 13, 18. ^ And tiy indenture, liearing date the
•' See " Letters containing; information 2nd ol May, 1605, transferred to Thomas
relative to the Anticpiities of the Allen.
Queen's County collected tluring the ■' Inquisition taken at ^laryborough,
p'rogress of the Ordnance Survey in 7th of Se|)tember, 1607.
1838," Vol. i. Letter of Idiomas O'Conor, 1° See "Liber Regahs Visitationis,"
dated Stradbally, Decendier 6th, 1838, a.d. 16,16. A ccjpy is yireserved in
pp. 186 to 189. the Ivoyal Irish Academy, classed
■•See " i\Iartvrology of Donegal," 23, F., i.
edited by Rev. Drs. Todd and Reeves, ^i See Sir Charles Coote's " General
pp. 278, 279. View of the At;riculture and Manu-
5 See Rev. Dr. Kelly's edition, p. n . factures of the Queen's County," chap.
" See an account of it, in " Proceedings i., sect. 3, j). 9.
of the Royal Irisli Academy " ; second i- General Valiancy's copy of Sir
246 HISTORY OF THE QUEEN's COUNTY.
bog. Jiallyknockane Castle luis two other houses near it. The ruins
of a chureh on the lands of Ballecliarnan are there represented. ^4 This
parish, in 1837, was a rectory and vicarage in the diocese of Leighlin,
forming part of ?iIaryborough Union, valued at £48^, the tithes amount-
ing to £iOo. The bishop was j^atron.is It had then a population of
1.223 inhabitants, i*J in i8ji ; in 1834, the Protestant population amounted
to 151, and the Roman Catholics to 1,093 united to their jjarish of Alary-
borough. The i)opulation of the Maryborough section ni 1841 was
78S, living in 126 houses. The total population then was Q62, living
in 153 houses. In 1846 the tithe composition was £Tbo, and the glebe
worth /i 7s. 6d.i7 Rathleague Lodge, formerly the seat of Sir John
Parnell, Bart., is in this parish.
CHAPTER XXVTI. — Parish of Kilcolmanbrack or Cremorgan.
The small parish of Kilcolmanbrack adjoins that of Kilcolmanbane
towards the east, and it lies within the barony of Cullenagh. It only
contains one townland, Cremorgan, com})rising c)05a. 3r. 26p.i It is
traversed by the road from Monasterevan to Kilkenny. The land in
this parish is generally of good quality, with some bog.2 This parish
has been noticed by John O'Donovan, in the Ordnance Survey Records. 3
It is probable the name was derived from some Colman, who first built
a cluirch there, and who was brcac or " freckled," to distinguish hinr
from his namesake " the fair." who a]:)pears to have founded the
adjoining church, known as Kilcolmanbane. If so, however, the period
when the present church was founded does not seem to be discoverable.
The former church of this parish is situated within the demesne of the
Moores of Cnmorgan, and the parish is also called by the latter name,
while it likewise bears the spelling of Kilclonebrook. Several tombs
of the Aloores;— said to be descendants from the former dynasts of Leix- —
are to be found within the chancel of the former church, which is now
dismantled. It is walled off from the road leading to Timahoe, which
is near, and enclosed within a graveyard, now seldom used or even
frequented.
In ibib, Kilclonebrock — a former false spelling for Kilcolmanbrack —
had a rector named Thomas Haslam, a reading" minister with a residence.
Thus was he distinguished, as not being a preacher of the Gospel. The
church and its cliancel were then in good repair and furnished with
books.4 The small village of Cremorgan, ."^ which often gives name
to this parish, is old of date, and it existed in the sixteenth century.
Williarii Potty's INIaps in Paris corres- ^" See " Parliamentary Gazetteer of
ponds. See vol. ii., No. 64, in the Record Ireland," vol. ii., p. 379.
Ofiice, Dublin. ^ It is described on the " Ordnance
^^ On a detached part of this Map Survey Townland Maps for the Queen's
is marked 62 acres of Bally.i^ormoyle in County," Sheet 18.
the parish of Timochoe. - See " The National Gazetteer,"
1* Admeasured by Ambrose Yorke, vol. ii., p. 410.
A.D. 1657. •* See " Letters containing Information
i"^ See "The National Gazetteer," relative to the Antiquities of the Queen's
vol. ii., p. 410. County colk'cted during the Progress
^' See Lewis's "Topographical ol the Ortlnance Survey in 183S,"
Dictionary of Ireland," vol. ii., p. 6}. vol. i., Lt-tter of John O'Donovan,
PARISH OF XILLABBAN.
-47
Near it is Creniorgan House and Deini-s-iv:-. the re;:dencv of the Moorc
t.imily. In 1S34. there v,c:e oiilv ten h;u;e;. '.':.- ■: : v.h:.t- ;:: :::\i:~:-
1115 of seven Protestants and the Ror/iit. C.i:'.::.i::s 0: s:-vc:"if,-s.x.
while there was neither church, chapel, nor school in the parish. " The
nett income of the incumbent was £39 gs. jd., while lie was stipe-n-
diary curate of Maryborough and chaplam to the Queen's County
Gaoi.6 In 1837, ■this parish only contained eighty-four inhabitants.
It was then a rectory, m the diocese of Leighlin, and the patronage
was HI the Protestant bishop ; the tithes amounted to {,'38 2s. 4d.7
CHAPTER XXVIII.— Parish of Kili.arbax.
About four miles south-west from Athy, in the barony of Ballyadams,
i^ KiUabban old church, and in the territory of Tly-^Muiredhcigh, if we
are to trust Archdall ; i but he mistakes the true district of Ui Buidhe
l(ir the former denomination. That territory called Ui m-Buidhi is
said to have comprised the present baronies of Ballyadams and of Slieve-
inargy, Queen's County.- The River Douglas flowing from the hills in
a rapid course through this parish joins the River Barrow. Killabban
has been described by John O'Donovan in the Ordnance Survey
i:rcorils.3 This parish4 is situated partly in the Barony of Ballyadams ; 5
I nit for the most part in the barony of Slievemargy.'^ There is much
liTtile soil along the river Barrow, which forms its eastern bouiidar\' ;
tiie surface has also a proportion of moorland. 7 the upper district being
iich m minerals^ not yet sufficiently worked.
In the sixth century the country about the present site of Killabban
w.is a desert ; and in the middle of the following century ,9 it is said,
the celebrated St. Abban, the senior, here founded his church or cell.
The local denomination has been derived from him, or from some one
U-aring that name. The senior St. Abban is held to have been the son
ot Cenendan, or Cenfinnan.io That saint derived his origin from a
respectable lineage, the Dalmacorb race of Leinster. He is stated to have
lieen the nephew of St. Ibar,!^ on the mother's side, and she is called
dated Stradbally, December 9th, 1S3S,
pp. 255 to 260.
* See " Liber Regalis Visitationis,"
in the time of James I.
^ In the time of Queen Elizabeth this
was probably more populous than at
present, and was the place where
Irish insurgent bands assembled.
'' See " Parliamentary Gazetteer of
Ireland," vol. i., p. 542.
^ See Lewis's " Topographical Diction-
ary of Ireland," vol. ii., p. 61.
^ See " jMonasticon liibcrnicum,"
p. 595. Archdall spells the name
Kilebbane.
^ See Dr. James Henihorn Todd's
Co^AT) tigAC'iihcL te >:;AttAibh or
" War of the CTacdhil with the Gaell."
Introduction, pp. clxiii., cb:i\-., and n. i
(ibid.), and pp. 144 to 147.
^ See " Letters containui-' Infornialu)n
relative to the Antiquities of the Queen's
Cdunty collected during tlie Progress of
tlie Ordnance Survey in 1838," vol. ii.
Letter of John O'Donovan, dated
Carlow, Decemher 15th, 183S, pp.
4 to 20.
* It IS shewn nn the " Ordnance
Survey Townland ?.Iaps mr the Queen's
County," Sheets 25, 26, 31, 32, y^, 37.
''This portion contains 7,290 «. ^ r.
3P-
'• this portion coirtains 18,705 (/.
O r. 6 p.
National Gazetteer,"
iron, lime and
^ See " T
vol. ii., p. 425.
8 These include coal
buiKling bli^nK-.
'■'About the year 650, aeccrduig to
Colgan's " Trins Thaumaturga," )>. O26.
1" See Kfv. John Francis Sliearmriu's
" I.oca Patriciana," No. viii., p. 166.
248 HISTORY OF THE OUEEN'S COUNTY,
JMcll. or ^Ickla.''- Regarding the saint himself, much misconception
appears to have prevailed. ^3 An uncommonly great number of monas-
teries and churclics are recorded to have been erected by him in various
oarts of Ireland ; many and astounding miracles are attributed to him,
tvhile he is said to have attained the extraordinary age of over 300 years,
riie Bollandist, Father De Buck, has endeavoured to explain those various
statements made, with the probability of more than one St. Abban
having flotn'ished and li\'ed at chfferent times and ]')laces.'4 A city is
said to ha\e sprung up near St. Abban's monastery, which was situated
within the bounds of the Ui Buidhe, in Northern hiMnstei". The territory
itself is called Crioch O'Muighe, or Crioch Ua m-Buidhe, and it was
situated on the west side of the River Barrow, "5 which divided it from
Ui ?»Iuireadluiigli.i^ Again, it is found written Huamidhi, Huamudi, or
Ui Muighe, in old records. '7 The feast of St. Abl)an, senior, is variously
given at the iGtIi of March, and at the 27th of October, in the Irir.h
Calendais. Whciher St. Abban had been interred at this church, called
after him, or at another foundation of his, known as j\Iagharnoidhe,
now Adamstown,iS is not certain. ^9 In the " I.es Pelits Bollandistes,"
the editor states, that while one St. Abban was the patron of Kill-Abban,
another belonged to ^lagharnaidhe, in Leinster.-*^ The monastery and
city of Killabban seem to have fallen into decay after the death of their
patron saint, for no annalistic entries regarding either of them can now
be discovered. Both merged into a parish.- ^ At Killabban the saint
is no longer remembered as patron or founder of the old church. Thei'e
was a }ilace called Sen Leas Alniin, or " the old fort of St. A1)bain."
This was built on tlic River Douglas, a stream which is tributary
to the I 'arrow.
After the establishment of surnames, the chief family in this territory
of Ui m-Buidhe took the surname of O'Caelluidhe, — now Ivealy and Kelly
—this name is to be distinguished, however,, from O'Ccallaigh
or 0' Kelly. -2 In the course of time, the monastery at Killabl)an became
a parish church, in the Diocese of Leighlin.23 Killab]:)an was an im-
propriate rectory, in 1616,24 having for its vicar John IMoren, a reading
resident minister. Its value was estimated at £25. It is also remarked,
1^ His festival occurs at the 23rd ot i'' See " diull;! na Xaoimh," O'Huidh-
April. rin's i'opo^^raphical Poem, edited by Dr.
1- Her pet name is stated to have been Jolin O'Donovaii.
Bronlionnbec, i.e., "the httle white i'' See Dr. O'Donovan's " Leabhar
speckled raxen." See " I. oca Patri- na g-Ceart, or Book of J\it;hts," n. (n),
ciana," >io. viii., p. 166. p. 21.1.
^3 At the i6th of March, Colgan has ^^ Such is the identification of the
published an old and extended life of place l)y Dr. O' Donovan, \vlio states it
tins saint. This has been drawn ap- is pretty clcarl3' ]n-oved from the "Liber
parently from more ancient sources. ■ Regalis Visitatiiinis."
See "Acta Sanctorum IHbernia-," xvi. i'' See the County of Wexford Extracts
Martii. Vita S. Abbani, p]\ 610 to 627. belonging to the Irish Onliiancc Survey,
1* See the BoUandists' " Acta Sane- and now preserved in Diljrary of the
torum" Octobris xxvii., where the Acts Royal Irish Academv, vol. i., p. 109.
of this saint are given. -^ See " Les Vies des Saintes," tome
!•''■ This has been inferred by the learned xi'., i'. 655.
editor of the " Leabhar na g-Ceart, or -' See Archdall's " ]\Ionasticon Hiber-
Book of Eights," from the situation of nicum," ]). 59--.
the old chnrcli and parish of Killabban, -- So states Jolin 0'L)'>novan, a high
of TtdhiiiiMy (CuLIac llA ni-buiTie) and ;in authority on Iri'-li lamily surnames,
old cliurch near 'i'lmalioe, in the Qui'cn's -^ See .\n. luK.'I's " Monasticon
Count v. Hilieniicnm," 11. ;o:.
TARISII OF KILLABRW.
-49
that as many Anglicans lived m this parish, tlie vicar allowed from his
living ;^io for a preacher, assigned him b}' the ordinary, fn 1640,
Killebane in Slewmargy was an entire rectory, and worth £.200 per
aniniDi. but only j(,'6o m 1657.-5 It comprised thirty-eight townlands,
and it had three acres of glebe. The commonwealth then received the
profit, while the Lord Protector was the patron. It had a church,
which stood within five miles of the remotest part in the parish. However,
there was no niinister then attached to it.-6 There is a map containing
parts of Kilieabban and of Rahaspuge 27 parishes, admeasured by John
Mason, in 1657. There is also remaining a trace of " Slewmargigh
Barony in 3-e Oiiecne's County," but without date, drawn by the same
surveyor.-*^ In tluit portion of the former map comprising Killebbau
parish. v,"e lind the denominations of various townlands. -9 Their
respective acres of ara'jle, })asture, wood, decayed wood, shrub, and bog-
land, are designated. A very considerable portion consists of Protestant
lands. 3'^' but these are not specially named on the map. In that part
of Killabban ]:>arish in this Ijarony, a ruined church and some cabins
are seen ; in Clonpiercc, a few cabins ; in Skehanagh,3i a castle out of
repair. In Balleioyle. near the Barrow, appears a church and castle,
not however described in Sir William Petty's maps. 32 The old church
of Killablx-in lies about iive miles north of Carlow. The ruins are con-
sidered 3;^ to indicate a building not much older thai\ the Reformation.
They consist of a nave and choir. The former measures 45 feet in length,
and the latter 33 feet. The breadth of the building was 24 feet, and
within it there is a rounded choir-arch. In tlie western gable there is a
large window, pointed at the top, and covered with ivy.3 ; The doorway
and all other windows \\-erc' destroyed or disfigured, m the beginning of
the last century.
The cluarch, called Killinny, boasts of consideral^le antiquity. A saint,
2'' Sec " I.il-er Rc.'^alis Vis:l;ili()ius."
-^ Wlii'ii lliL" Jiii[ui,sition was ia!-;eii at
AIaryl)orou,L;!i.
-^ See Sir Charles Coote's " Statistical
Survey of the Queen's County," cliap. i.,
sec. 3, p. II.
-^ In this portion of it we liud the
denominations of Barneskitty and liun-
nane over i,iS6 acres arable and pasture
land, with more than a third of
Rathaspug parish, or over 735 acres
under timlier. No church, castle, or
house is feund marked on this ]iart of
the map. Robert Ifartpole, an Enj^lish
Papist, is set down as proprietor of all
its reclaimed and wood land, which
appears to have been forfeited.
-^ In it we are informed that the
parish of Killebban contains the houses
or castles of Garrindenny, Crottin-
teaf^all, Ballinat;all, Ballnkmoycs,
Shiagh, and Killinie ; a shrubby ^\■ood
and bog and decayed timber being
noticed as on certain sides.
-" These are enumerated as Garran-
denny, with a house or castle ; Towler-
ton, Ballickinoyler, and a house there ;
Cudanv, Shina;;Ii, or Skiagli. with a
house ; Old Leagh. Crottentcigle, with
its castle; Rathilligge, Ballinrahi;!,
Killynoy, with a house ; Clonagli,
Rosnagh, Tyrernan, Ballynegall, v/ith
Us castle ; Gurtyus, Clonebeckane,
Coolencowl, FariMu.
■•° All the other denominations of
forfeited lands were the property of
Thomas Hovenden, English Papist ;
Robert Hart]:)ole, English Papist ; Mor-
tagh I.ea, JZnglish Papist ; Thomas
Keating, English Papist ; and Robert
Hart pole, Irish Papist.
^1 '!'liis is prol)ahly Ballylebene, in
an adjoining townland, which seems a
corru]ition of Ballykillebane, derived
from St. Ai)l)an, in the opinion of
William M. Hennessey.
■'- General Valiancy's map nearly
corresponds.
^■' By Jolm O'Donovau.
3^ In a letter dated Carlow, December
15th, 1838, John O' Donovan thus
described the apjiearance of Killabban,
which he visited, in " Letters containing
Information relative to the Antiquities
of the Oneen's County." See vol. ii., pp.
,t to o.
■J50 HISTORY OF THE QUEEN S COUXTY.
named in tlie " Feilire " (^f St. Acngus, Finneach Duirn. seems to have
been the founder. 35 He is therefore distinguisht-d as " the exeellent."
The conniientator places Cell Findich in Ossory, and he states, that this
saint was of Ath Duirn Buide — rendered " the ford of yellow l)orn."'!6
At the 2nd of February, the O'Cler^'s' Calendar 3: has a feast of St.
Finneach of Cill Finnich or Cill Finnch(,\ Tins place was situated
in Hy-Scellain, in Sliabh Mairge, according to tliL- scholiast on the
"Feilire," contained in the "Leabhar Breac" copy. Thishasbeenidentiiied
with Killinny, in the present parish of Killabban, by John 0'Donovan,3'>
and his authority may be accepted as best determining tin- loclity. The
living of Killabban was a rectory and vicarage in the D;ocese of Leighlin,
valued at £967, and in the patronage of the crown. A church was
erected here in iSoi.39 The village of Ballickmoyler 4^ is on the high
road from Stradbally to Carlow. It has a church, school and court-
house. Kcar it is the house and beautiful di'mesne of Ashiicld Hall. On
Clonagh is the site of an ancient church. Coo]:)er Hill house and demesne
are tenanted by the Cooper family. Rosena House, Providence Lodge,
Ballyharnian, Herondale, Moorefield and ]\laylield houses are handsome
residences. 4i The \'illage of Ballickmoylcr was growing into
importance, until disturbances broke out m 17Q8 ; 42 after that
period, more than half of it was laid in ruins, while its weekly market
was altogether abandoned. •.
The village of Ballylinan stands on the eastern verge of the parish
on the road from Dublin to Kilkenny, and about tliree miles to the south-
west of Athy.43 111 its vicinity are the ruins of an ancient church,
measuring about forty feet in length, by sixteen Icet in breadth. The
western gable nearly perfect is pierced by a small stonc'-cascd window,
and it terminates m a bell-turret with opes for two bells. Portions
of the side-walls remain, and also tlie east gable in which there is a
deeply s])layed window ; while in the south wall, abuut niidwa}^ another
window may be traced.44 A grave-yard adjoins.'" On the north side
ol Ballylinan are the house and plantations of Kahin, the seat of the
Weldon family, reputed to have settled here in the reign of James 1.
A cotton factory conducted by a j\lr. Grace was here before the close
35 See " Transactions of the Royal *- See J. N. Ercwor's " Beauties of
Irish Academy," Irish IManiiscript Series, Ireland," vol. ii., p. I2(..
\nl. i., part. 1., p. xU., edited by Whitley ^'-^ See the " Parliamentary Gazetteer
Stokes, LL.D. of Ireland," vol. i., p. 176.
36 l£o adds that Dorn Buide was the ** In June, 17SO. an earthen urn was
name of a great hill in ]Mag Raigne. dug up in a held beside these ruins.
See ibid. p. xlviii. containing a great number of small
37 Sec " Martvrology of Donegal," silver coins, believed to contain
edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp, reierences to Irish Kings and chieftains,
36, 37. be-tween the years S62 to 900. An
38 See " Letters containing Informa- account of these is given in the " Trans-
tion relative to the Antiquities of the actions of the Royal Irish Academy,"
f)ueen's County, collected during the and in Cough's " Camden's Britannia."
Progress of the Ordnance Survey in Several of them are preserved in the
183S," vol. ii. Letter dated Carlow, Museum of Trinity College, Dublin.
December 17th, 1838, p. 73. *'^ See Rt. Rev. Bishop Comerford's
39 See "The National Gazetteer," "Collections rclatin ■ to the Dioceses
vol. ii., p. 425. of Kildare and Leighlin," vol. iii.,
■•o It is shown on the " Ordnance p. 74.
Survey Townland Maps for the Queen's •"' See Sir Charles Coote's " General
County," Sheet 32. View of the Agriculture and Manu-
*i Sec ■ibid. factures of the Oueen's Countv."
v<'2.-ii\''^*>ai*lS
/'A,./,, hy\
liAI.LYl.YNAN CHURCH.
|A'(.'. /:.oy,.
Ser |)a-e 250.
l^'SiStl'l^-'^
ARLHS CHURCH i Penal limes 1
(I'll 111! (ilc)Sc'.^ .//■///./ /////n.)
\'<.l. I.
Src p
PARISH OF KILLAPBAX. 2^1
of the eighteenth century.-i'' In the townland of Clonpieree, adjoining
I'Jallyhnan, there is an extensive ruin called the Abbey of Shanecourt,
l)ut nothing is known of an abbey having been built tliere. It was,
however, formerly an episcopal residence of the Bishops of Leighlin,
and this seems to have dated back from the time of Edward 1.47 At
the distance of about half-a-mile due east is the burial-ground of Clonagh,
where the ruins of a monastery are said to have been seen early in the
last century.4S Castletown l^rotcstant Church, on the site of a more
ancient one, and a grave-yard, as also Castletown house and ]\Iaiden-
head house, are in this parish.49 A remarkable mound is at a few paces
distance from the church. Newcastle, in ruins, and Towlerton House
are also here. On the road-side from Carlow to Castlecomer there is a
Protestant Church, and a Roman Catholic Chapel rises near it.5^ Near
Crettyard and a small hamlet is Garrendcnny Castle and demesne. 5i Bally-
lehanc Castle, now in ruins, is referred to by Clyn at the year 1346.52
The village of Aries, m which the Catholic: Church of this parish
is situated, lies on the high road from Stradbcdly to Carlow. It is an
elegant structure, with a burial-ground circumjaicnt. On a liill opposite
is the Protestant Church, and near it tlie Grace ]\Iausoleum. The
Rector of Killabban Parish has an allowance of ("395 per annum
from the sustentation fund.SS Near it also is the house and demesne
of Gracelield, possessed by the old family of Grace. 54 ^ The handsome
Catholic Church in the Gothic style has lately been built in Aries, which,
in the Cathohc arrangement, is the head of Killablxin parish.55
The situation of the old church of Cill-Gabhra — supposed to have been
connected with a saint, mentioned in the O'Clerys' Calendar as Lon-
Ciaradh, venerated at the 3rd of September, has been a subject for former
enquiry and speculation. Tie is said to have been of Disert-Garadh,
in the north of Ossory,S'? i.e., of j.Iagh-Garadh, m Ui-Fairchellaigli,57
and of Cill-Gabhra, in Sliabh -\Iairge.5S Lon-Garadh was remarkable
ior his learning, being versed in history, in laws, and in poetry. He is
called of the White Legs, and he flourished during the time of the great
St. Columbkille, who paid him a visit. 59 He is supposed to be the same
as Lon of Cill-Gabhra, venerated at the 24th June, according to the
"Martyrology of Donegal."^'-' However, St. Lon-Garadh is venerated in
"the Irish Z^letrical Calendar "of St.Aengusatthe 3rd of September, where
*'' Sec Rt. Rev. Bishop Comerford's 5<= According to another account, he
"^Collections relating to the Diocese of belonged to Magli Tualhat, in this
Kildare and Leighlin," vol. iii., p. 74. region.
*8 According to Sir Charles Coote. 's' Now Offerillan or Offerlane, a large
*■' Represented on the " Ordnance parish, west of Mountrath, in the
Survey Townland Maps for the Queen's Queen's Count\-.
County," Sheet 26. " , ■ os See Rev. Drs. Todd and Reeves'
^" See ibid., Sheet 31. " Martyrology of Donegal," pp. 234,
^1 See ibid., Sheet 30. 235.
52 See "Annales Hibernian." ay See " The Boole of Olats and
5^ See " The Irish Church Directory Mart\Tology of the Cathed.ral Church
and Year Book for 1903," p. 124. of the Holv Trinity, coninioiUy called
^■* Sheffield Grace, Esq., has produced Christ's Church, Dublin." edited by
an elegant and now a rare volume on John Clarke Crosthwaite and Rev.
their origin and descendants. James Hentliorn Todd. D.D., pp. Ix.k.
5^ See an account of it in Rt. Rev. to Ixxii.
Bishop Comerford's " Collections re- «" See cJ.ition of Rev. Drs. Todd and
lating to the Diocese of KilJare and Reeves, pp. i;8, 179.
Leighlin,' ■^•.1. iii., pp. 66 to -8. «i See "Transactions of the Kuval
252 HISTOKV OF THE QUEEN's COrNTY.
*
he is called " a dclii^litlul sun."^" Tlie old church of Cill-Gahhra was
situated hi Sliabh Mairge, and it seems to have been discovered under
a modern form. According to John (3'Donovan, it is to be identify d
probably with Kilgory, in the parish of Killabban.62 This townland
contains 363a. or. 32p.,6^ and it lies in the midst of a picturesque country.
CHAPTItlx^ XXIX.— Parish of Kildellig.
Formerly within the Barony of Upper Ossory, about two miles south-
west from Aghaboe, and about three and adialf miles south-east by
east of Borris-in-Ossory, was placed the small parish of Kildellig,i also
written Kildellygly. It is now m the Barony of Clarmallagh"- Its
total length south-eastward is only two miles, its extreme breadth is
only one mile. The soil is generahy good. 3 This i)arisli has bern
noticed by John OT^onovan m the Ordnance Survey Records. -^ The
l^atron sauit of this old parish m the deanery of Aghaboe at Kildellig —
also called Kildelgy — is stated to have been St. Ernanus or Senanus,
who IS styled an Abbot, and whose festival has been assigned to the 1st
of Jaiiuary.5 Yet, the only saint bearing that name we can find in
our Irish Calendars at the date is Ernan, Abbot of Druim-Tomma>
or Drumhome, m the County of Donegal. IIis bein^ called an Abbot,
and in connexion with Kildellig, seems to favour a supposition that
some sort of early religious community lived here under his direction.
His period, howe\'er, is unknown. An old cemetery is here, but the
adjoining cultivators have considerably encroached on its space, as we
learned several years ago, on tlie spot, and when it w^as unenclosed.
Some ruins are there of an oblong shape, and which measure about
30 ft. in length by iS in width. Only a few vestiges of the walls
now remain, and these are moss-covered. They seem to have been
nearly 4 ft. in thickness, and the building evidently is very ancient.^
The original name for this parish was probably Cill-Dealga, or Cill-
Deilge ; but our annalislic entries of this name mav have more reference
to the parish of Kildalkey, in the Barony ol Luiie, County of Meath —
formerly written thus, as also Killelga — than to the present place.7
Irish Academy," vol. i., part i., eilited Queen's Count}-, collected during the
by Dr. Whitley Stokes, ]i. cxxxvi. Progress ot the Ordnance Survey in
^- See " Letters containini; Informa- iS,sS," vol. i. Letter of John
tion relative to the Anti(]uities of the O'bonovan, dated Mountrath, Novem-
Queen's County, collected during the ber 30th, 1S3S, pp. 107 to 1 10.
Progress of the Ordnance Survey in ^ See IIis Eminence Carrlinal Patrick
183S," vol. ii. Letter dated Carlow, Francis Moran's " Spicilegium Os-
Decembcr 17th, 1S3S, p. j^^. ■ , soriense ; being a collection of Original
'■'■■' It IS shown, on tlic " Ordnance Letters and Papers illustrative of the
Survey Townland Maps for th.c Queen's Plistory of the Irish Church from the
County," Sheet 36. Reformation to the year i8rjo." First
1 It is described on the "Ordnance Series, ii. Patron Saints of the Churches
Survey Townland Maps fi.ir the Q)ueen's of Ossory, ]). 7.
County," Sheets 22, 28. " Its position is shown on Sheet 22.
- See " Parliamentary Gazetteer of Garryduf! House, a modern ruin, is
Ireland," vol. ii., p. 405. on Sheet 2S.
■' See " The National Gazetteer," '^ See Rev. \nthony Cogan's " Ecclesi-
vol. ii.. p. 4i'">. astical History of the Diocese of Mcath,
■' See " Letters containing Informa- Ancient and jModcrn." vol. i., chap,
tion relative to the .\nti(]uities of the xxv., pp. 141 to 145.
r\KISH OF KIT.nKLLIG. 253
Under such a heading, we meet with a St. Sillaa ^ and a St. Cuanan of
Killdelge,9 the latter of whom died a.d. 721.'" However, we suspect
these belong to Kildalkey, m the Count\' of iMeath, more frequently
mentioned in our Annals. It is thought, " that the following entries
in the " Annals of the Four i\histers " have reference to the Cill-Dealga
or Killdelig in the Queen's County. In a.d. 753, Fidhbhcidhach of
Cill-Delge died.i- In 774, Cill-Delge was burned. i3 In 7^4, Suibhne
of Cill-Delge died.u In S36, Fedach, Abbot of Cill-Delge, died. '5 In
837, Fgnech of Cill-Delge, bishop, abbot and scribe, was kilU-d, with
all his poi)i)lc. by the Gaileanga, otherwise known as the Gaileanga-
niora, who were seated in the present barony of Morgallion, in the
County of IMeath. ^6 We are of opinion, however, that the latter entry
had reference to Kildalkey in Meath.
In his annalistic entries, under the head of Kiledelig, in the Queen's
County, Archdal! has at 866, the death of Al-tbot Congal JMacFeadaigh.'/
At the same date, it is entered in the " Annals of the Four Masters " ; '^
but the exact place where he lived is not there dthned. In S85, the
Abbot Donough MacMaoiledun was slain by the Ostmen,i9 or foreigners
of Ath-cliath, in a battle, which they gained over Flann, son of Maelsech-
naill, the Monarch of Ireland.-'^ We rather think that the ecclesiastic
in question was connected with the Church of Kildalkey, in IMeath. Thu
oldest ecclesiastical building at Kildellig, in the Queen's County, after-
wards became a parish church, but it is now in ruins, and it seems to
have been so for many ]')ast centuries. In 1640, the rectory here was
estimated to haw been worth ■/-'15 per annum. In the time of the
Commonwealth, the Lord Protector was designated patron of this church,
tlien denominated Kildelliggy and Kildelly. It comprised six townlands,
being a jiropnate rectory, with two acres of glebe, yet having no church
or minister. In 1657, the glebe was set for use of the Commonwealth,
at {5 per annum.-'
Applotted under the Tithe Act, this parish is set down as containing
1,103 statute acres — the Irisli Ordnance Survey gives it 1,251a. or. 2Sp. — -
and a rectory in the diocese of Ossory, forming part of Ratfidowney
Union, the tithes amounting to ^57 los.-- The patron was the bishop.
In 1831, its population was 303 ; m 1834, the Roman Catholic population
was 304, PrcHcstants 6 ; while in 1841 the entire population was 342,
living in 56 houses. -3 lu the Catholic arrangement it belongs to the
))arish of Aghaboe.
« His feast is set clowm, in the Cnlen- ^^ See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals
dars, at the 31st of January. Some of the Four Masters," vol i., pp. ^J'^.
notices of him and of Kildalkey may 379.
be seen in the author's " I.ives of the • i-* See 2''/'/., pp. 402, 403.
Irish Saints," vol. i., Januarv xxxi., Art. ^'^ See ihuL, pp. 454, 455.
iv. ^'^ See ibiJ. and n. (p.) pp. 456. 457.
■' See Col^an's " Acta Sanctorum i'' See " ]Moaasticon Ilibernicum," p.
HibernicE," Febniarii iv. De S. Cnanna 594.
sive Cnannacheo Abbate. n. 2., p. J51. _ '^ See Dr. O'Donovan's edition, vol. i.,
1'^ See Col^an's " Trias Thanmaturi^a," pp. ;(>j, 5*.'^.
p. 381. ^■' See Archdall's " RIonasticon iiiber-
'i By John O'Donovan, in his letter nicum," ]\ 51)4.
dated " ATonntrath, November 30th, -" See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of
1838, p. TIG. the Fo\ir blasters," vol. i., pp. 536. ^37.
12 See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of -' Sec Sir Charles Coote's " General
the Four Masters," vol. i., pp. 356, 357. View of the Agriculture and INIanu-
254 HISTORY OF THE QUEEN S COUNTY,
CHAPTER XXX. — Church of Kiltenny.
The small parish of Killt-nny — scuiietimcs written Killeanj' — is in the
baron}' of Stradlially. The road from the latter town runs throuj^^h
it, on the way to Portarlington.' Its area is onl^^ 045 a. 3 r. 12 />.- The
soil is for the most part e,ood.3 The limestone hills of Killonc rise here
to a hciglit of 720 ft., and tliey are covered for the most part with thorns
and brushwood, although in the last century crowned with a tluck
and picturesque plantation of fir-trees ; hut the average land is mostly
arable, and of a fairly good description.
The old church of Killenny is at present in ruins, and it is within
a cemetery, now almost deserted,4 on the verge of the Great Heath
of Maryborout^h.S The derivation given for its name ^ is Kill-Eithne,
i.e., the Chuich of St. Eithne ; for it is assumed, that several other
Killinnys or Killennys throughout Ireland have a patron saint similarly
named. On the old map of Leax and Oplialy, Killein is marked. The
inside of Killenny's quadrangular old ruin is 36 ft. in length, by 16 ft.
in breadth ; the thickness of its walls is aixmi; 3 ft. On the east gable
there is a small narrow window, splayed inwards, and the suutli wall is
almost destroyed. 7 The remaining walls are thickly mantled over
with ivy.
In 1831, the inhabitants of Killenny nurnbei'ed 12*5: ; while in 184 1,
their number had increased to 154, living in 25 houses. This small
parish was a separate rectory and benefice, m the diocese of Leighlin,
the patron being the diocesan ; while in 1S46, the tithe composition
and gross income were /50, and the nett was /46 6s. Tlien the
incumbent held the licensed curacy of Carnew, in the diocese of Ferns.8
Within the townland of Killenny, and near the old church, as shown
on the Ordnance Survey Map, rises a very steep limestone hill, covered
over with hazel and other dwarf shrubs. 9 When last visited, tufts of
beautiful primroses and violets grew under the sheltering branches.
So thickly matted together were these, that it was diiticult to track any
passage through them, except by following the rather devious sheep-
walks, which are interlaced in every conceivable form up to the top,
when you stand on a depressed cone, from which the eye ranges, with
factures of the Quecn'3 County," chap, i., ^ CelebratnJ in former times and at
sect. 3, pp.12, 13. present for the races, which are nccasion-
-~ See Lewis's " Topographical Die- ally held there, and alwavs numerously
tionary of Ireland," vol. ii., p. Sy. attended.
-^ See " Parliamentary Gazetteer of '^ By Thomas O'Conor, in a letter
Ireland," vol. ii., y. .105. dated Stradhally, December 6th, 18^8,
1 See Lewis' " Tojiographical Diction- in " Letters containing Information
ary of Ireland," vol. ii., p. 135. • relative to the Antiquities of the Queen's
- This parish is described on the County, collected during the Progre'-,s
"Ordnance Survey Townland Maps of the Ordnance Survey in 183S,"
for the Ouei.-n's County," Sheets 9, vol. i., p. t8i.
13, 14- ■^ According; to Thomas O'Conor's
3 See "The National Gazetteer," letter. St e //v'^/., p. 182.
vol. ii.. p. 433. " Ser " Parliamentary Gazetteer of
* Especially since a new Catholic Ireland," vol. ii., p. 465.
Church has been built near it, with a ^ The ancient name of this hill seems
burial ground attached, about the year lost or unknown. At present it is
1835. The Very Rev. Nicholas O'Conor, called Lyons' Hill, from a gentleman
V.F., and P.P. of Maryborough, carried farmer who holds the lands. Not very
both to a completion. long ago, it was called Carter's Hill,
I'AKISH OF KILLi:RMOr,II. 255
pleasure, over a most enchanting pros]x">ct.io Sonie small, undelined,
and unnamed object on this hill is noted on the Ordnance Map. This
is probably intended to show the site of some remarkable remains, which
consist of building and limestones, scattered m great profusion, over
a circular area of about tifty feet in diameter. These stones are intrr-
mixed with a great proportion of what appeared to the writer to ha\'e
been mortar or cement. But a specimen procured establishes the fact,
that it is only broken surface rock, worn away by long exposure to the
elements. It is possible that, those stones are the disjointed remains
of some very ancient building — possibly one of those rude caislidh,
so frequently met with in the south-western parts of Ireland. The
neighbouring people say, there was formerly a castle belonging to
the O'Moores on the top of that hill.
The old mansion of Killoue — not far removed — was tenanted l)y
a respectable and respected family of the Dunnes, with whom the cele-
brated John O'Donovan, LL.D., was on very intimate terms at a time
when he li\-ed in the adjoiniiii; Heath House, as family tutor to the
children of iM\les O'Reilly, Esq., in 1S33. There, m John O'Donovan's
time, lived Joseph Dunne, about 89 years of age, and who in
youth had been an ()i'ficer in the French ser\^ice." He was one
of the largest and tallest men in Europe ; while he had several
sons, remarkable for their great stature, strength, courage and
intelligence, as also three daughters, most gract?ful, tall, highly
educated and rehned. All, however, died unmarried. i- In 1S34,
the parisliioners were all Roman Catholics ; but in the parish of Killeany
there was neither church, chapel, nor school. Afterwards, however,
a handsome and commodious Roman Catholic chapel was built there,
by the Very Rev. Nicholas O'Conor, V.F., and P.P. of ^Marvborough,
under whose parochial guardianship this district was placed.
CHAPTER XXXI. — Parish of Killermogii.
This parish is sometimes called Kildermay,i and it is now within the
Bai"ony of Clarmallagh. Formerly, however, it was within the Barony
of Upper Ossory. It is a small parish ; - its average length being about
two miles, and its breadth only one mile and a-half. The surface is chiefly
of a light soil. 3 It is traversed by the road leading from Durrow to
from the name of a prc\'ious occu- alludml to this vestige of a period lon.i:;
pier, passed.
10 The late leariidl and lamented '■^ He descended from the chiefs of
Dr. O'Donovan, whose earlier yenrs Hy-Res^an.
were passed in the Heath Lodge, the ^- See Dr. O'Donovan's " .\nnals of
residence of Myles O'Reilly, Ksc|., and the Four Masters," vol. iv. The family
adjacent to this hill, nuist have ofti-n pedigree is traced under a.d. 144S,
ascended its summit, if only to enjoy in n. (g), pp. 957 to 960.
the view presented. Yet, he seems ^ The local pronunciation for this
either to have passed unnoticed, or parish is Kyle-ennc. It is described
forgotten, the antiquarian object here on tlie " Ordnance Survey Townland
described ; for, often as the writer of Maps for the Queen's County," Sheets
this paper conversed with him regarding 28, 29.
the localities and peo])le near the Great ~ The area is about 2,746(7. ^r. and
Heath of Maryborough, he never once 36/.
256 HISTORY OF THE QUEEN's COUNTY.
*
Mountrath.4 The former name of this parish was doubtless Cillarmrii£;he,5
when Irish was sjJOJYen in this part of the eountry/' This jxirish is in-
correctly located by Archdall, who tells us that it is situated two miles
south of Durrow, and in the 13arony of Upper Ossory ; 7 whereas, it
should have been })laced rather to the north-west of Castle Durrow.
The conventual or monastic history of this place is quite obscured.
In the 3'ear 1838,8 an old church w^as there, the south side wall of which
was nearly destroyed, but on the east gable a small quadrangular window
was observable. No other features of the church were observable.
Some popular traditions in the locality are not sufficient^' explicit
to present the name of the patron.9 However, it is generalh^ supposed,
that a religious establishment was founded ht-re, in the time of St.
Columbkille,^" who had conferred a great favour on Cohnan, the King
of Ossory, whose son was a hostage with Aldus, or Aedh Slaine,'' the
monarch of Ireland. By the latter, his rank and position were totally
ignored, when Colman consented to deliver his son to Aedh's honourable
keeping. This Scanlan, also called Scandlanus, son to Colman, was
regarded as the prince of Ossory. He had bieen retained rather as a
ca])tive than as a hostage by King Aldus, who treated him with great
cruelty, wlien St. Columbkille visited the cajitive, and i^iroj^hcsied his
release. 12 According to some accounts, the prince was bound hand and
foot, and also kept prisoner within a dark prison. ^^ For greater security,
Scanlan was imprisoned at a place, called Dul^h-E'agluis, in Inis Eogain,i4
now Inishowen, in the extreme north of Ireland. It is said, that when
the great Abbot of lona begged the release of the heir-apparent of Ossory
f:om the Monarch Aedh, the latter perem]:)torily refused to grant the
favour. Scarcely could St. Columb persuade the monarch to act
humanely toward Scanlan, 1 5 and to a remarkable miracle was his
deliverance afterwards ascribed. Aftrr his release, Scanlan and his
]H)sterity had a devoted affection for St. Columbkille, and received him
as tlnir special initron. It is thought, that as a manifestation of his
gratitude, lands and material means were afforded the great Abbot,
bv the rrinee of Ossory, to establish a centre there for Columban monks.
St. Cohimb lounded a monastery or convent, at a place called Armuighe,
:< See "The Nation, it Gazetteer," UuTcl>)ie, the last word has l^een
vol. ii., p. -I U- dilirniUly spelled, m tlielri>h eharacter-.
■•See •'The Parliamentary Gazetteer "' His leslival day is at the 9th of
of Ireland," vol. ii., jx 473- Jnne,
5 Thus written in tlie Irish characters i^ Tlie " Annals of the Four Masters
Citt ,Annnii^e. place his reign from a.d. 595 to a.d. 600.
'> See " Letters containing Information See vol. i., pp. 220 to 227. See Dr.
relative to the Antiquities of the Queen's O'Donovan's editi' 'ii.
County, collected during the Progress i-' See Rev. Dr. l^eeves' "Adaninan's
of the Ordnance Survey in 1838," Vita S. Coluniba-," Lib. 1., cap. xi,,
vol i., p. 105. Letter of Thomas pp. 38, 39.
O'Conor, dated Mountrath, November is See Colgan's " Trias Thaumaturga,"
-'Oth 1838. Prince O'Donnell's or Quinta Vita S.
^ See '' Monasticon Hibernicum," p. Columbce, Lib. iii., cap. ii., p. 430-
c„^ 14 See Dr. Geollry Keating's "General
s According to Thomas O'Conor, in History of Ireland," Book ii., p. 3S2.
his communication alreiidy quoted. Duffy's edition.
■J \ccording to Thomas O'Conor, the i^ The wonderful particulars of his
patron dav of Killermogh was La M release from prison are set forth in
muittcin— muiUin— muitin— noniuitiiT), Colgan's " Trias Thaumaturga," Quinta
as seeminelv conlV.rmable to the Vita S._ Columba,\ Lib. lu., cap. xi
variation- '.l local pronunciation, and xii., xiii., p. 433.
PARISH OF KILLESHIN.
257
in the country of Ossory, according to the Rev. Geoffrey Keating ; '6
and this spot has been identified with the present Kill-erniogh. According
to Archdall,i7 that foundation took place a.d. 55S, but most probably
much later. There was kept the staff of St. Columba, as a guarantee
of protection for Scanlan, against any further attempt against his liberty,
on the part of the Irish monarch, who died a.d. 598, '^ or according
to others, A.D. 600. ^9
In 1657, Killermogh had ten townlands, and it was an entire ])ropriate
rectory. It had then 80 perches of old glelje, lying under the church
of said parish, and 255 acres of new glebe, lying in the fields of Bally-
garvin, worth in 1640 £^q per anmnn. In 1O57, it had been set for
the use of the Commonwealth, and then it was valued at ;£'ii los. per
annum. The Lord Protector was the patron.-" Before the close of
the eighteenth century, tlie church there fell into ruins, 21 and a new
Protestant church was erected in 1796, by aid of a gift from the Board
of First Fruits. In 1817, from the same source £100 was granted, with
a loan of /500 for the building of a glebe-house ; the glebe then com-
prising 306 a. 2r. 23/. In 1S37, this parish was a rectory and a vicarage,
under the patronage of the Ladies Fitzpatrick.-- The living was valued
at £446 ; -3 at present the incumbent of Killermogli has an allowance of
£200 per annum. -4
CHAPTER XXXII. —Parish of Killfshin.
About two antl a-half miles westward from the town of Carlow lies
the old church of Killeshin ; which gives name to a parish of considerable
extent,! comprising the southern portions of Slie\'emargy barony, in
the south-eastern extremity of the Queen's County. The land within
it swells upwards from the River Barrow to elevated ranges,
and it is generally of a rather poor, unproductive quality, although
much of it is useful for mountain pasturage. This j^Iace has
been thoughtlessly indentified with Gleane or Glin, on the River Brusiui,
and near Ferbane, in the Barony of Garrvcastle, and King's County,
by Rev. Mervyn Archdall,^ who has wholly omitted all notice of it,
when treating about the churches and monasteries of the Queen's Countw
It is situated in the ancient territory of In-Bairche, which comprised a
considerable tract of country, in the south-easte'rn part of the Queen's
^'^ See " General History of Ireland," 21 g^g Arclulall's " Monasticuu Hiher-
Book ii., p. 3S3, Duffy's edition. oicuni," p. 595.
I'' See " Monasticon Hibernicum," p. -'- See Lewi.s' " Topot^raphical Diction-
595. ary of Ireland," vol. ii., ]). 14J.
1-8 According to the Annals of Tiger- 23 5^^ " J\■^^^ National Gazetteer,"
nach. See Rev. Dr. ©'Conor's "Rcrum vol. ii., p. 434.
Hibernicariiiii Scriptores," Tomus ii., -■' See " The Irish Ctmrch IMrectory
.\.D. Dxcvui. and Ycar-Boiik for 1903," p. ui.
I'' See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of ' This is described on the " Ordnance
the Four Masters," vol. i., pp. 226, Survey Townland Maps for the Queen's
227. County," Sheets 31, 32, 36, ^y. I'he
-** See Sir Charles Coote's " General townland proper, bearing the designa-
View of the Agriculture and Mann- tion, is marked on Sheets 32, ;^y.
factures of the Queen's County," chap, i., ^ See "Monasticon Hibernicum," p.
sect. 3, p. 12. 39S.
258 HISTORY OF TIIL; QUEEN's COUNTY.
County, lying west of the River Barrow. The territory of Mv-Duacli
comes within a mile of this church. 3
Over the mountain stream, which runs through a deep ravine, tradition
has it, that a former considerable town had been built ; and, some ruins
seeming to be foundations of former buildings are shown, which lend
confirmation to that statement. Not far from a remarkable mound, and
on a knoll overlooking a little waterfall, which tumbles over a ledge of
rock in the ravine, the graveyard and ruins stand. The church now
measures 90 feet from end to end. The eastern part to the distance of
24 feet was evidently added at a much later period, than that at which
the original building had been erected. This modern portion may be
termed the chancel, and it is i foot 6 inches narrower than the nave. The
walls are 3 feet 8 inches to 4 feet thick. The masonry is of large stones,
and it shows little trace of the hammer. The building has deep granite
quoins and pilasters, at the west end, projecting q inches, and they are 3
feet 2 inches wide. in the modern work, the stones are small and
hammered, while the quoins are of limestone. The western gable is partly
broken away.4 The old church of Killeshin is situated at the foot of
Knockarah ; but, although it has been remodelled at three different
periods, enough of the old work remains, to give an idea of its original
construction. On the niside, the walls measure 25 feet 8 inches inbreadtli,
and the building formerly measured 66 feet in lengthts
The name of this church and parish are said to have been deri\ed
from that of the valley in which it was built, for it is commonly cahed
Gleann Uissean, in the Irish Annals and Martyrologies. The ancient
])illar-clustercd doorway, arch recessed within arch, is to be seen under a
covering of ivy and long grass, which wave over the surface of the gable,
in which it stands, and over the side walls of the ruin. Not only have
the features of Killeshin been admirably described by Rliss INIargaret
Stokes ; ^ but, a full page auto- type of this west doorway, w ith two
most beautiful and accurate wood engravings, have been introduced,?
to convey its characteristics to the eye. It has sculptured traceries,
moukkngs, and bas-rehcls. It is of four orders : the inmost being
2 feet 10 inches wide at tlie base, and 2 feet 8^ inches at the sj^ringing
of the arch, by 6 feet 8 inches in lieight ; the second is 7 feet 4 inches ;
the third is 8 feet i inch, and the fourth 8 feet 11 inches high. It has
a pediment, which rises 6 feet above the hood moulding ; the latter,
which is square, measuring 4 inches by i foot 6 inches, dies into the barge
course of the pediment, this barge course terminating at each side by
monsters' heads. Inside, the door is of two orders ; it is formed of a
singular mixture of granite and sandstone. The keystone of tbe outer
order bears a veneral^le human head carved in relief. That design
known as the trumpet pattern, or divergent spiral, appears among the
3 See "Notes on Irish Architecture," to the Antiquities of the Queen's County,
by Edwin, third Earl of Duuraven, collected during the Progress of the
edited by Margaret Stokes, vol. ii., Cill Ordnance Survey in 1838," vol. li.
Uissean, p. 83. Letter of John O'Donovan, datid
■• Ibid, vol. ii., Cill Uissean, pp. 81, Carlow, December 17th, 1838, p. 73.
82. ^ See her edition of " Notes on Irish
5 This was during the last century. Architecture," by Edwin, third Earl of
as old men in 1838 assured John Duuraven, vol. ii., Cill Uissean, Plate
O'Donovan that he had seen the cix., pp. 81 to 85.
entire of the north wall standing. See '' Besides sectional and ground plans
" Letters containing Information relative of doorway.
^- ',
^.V ''\j'Jfff%^*^-';,
'■>' ''-^
f - %,^^fl .
PARISH OF KILLESIIIX.
259
other ornaments of this doorwa}'. Tlie jauiS are rounded, but the orders
of the arch preserve their square form, and they are enriched \\ith surface
ornament. The entablature which runs along the tops of the jambs
is carved at the salient angles into human heads, the long interlaced
hair of each head covering the surface of the stone back to the re-entrant
angles. Each order of the doorwa\' has engaged shafts at the angles.
The bases have the beautiful feature of leaves, connecting the bulbous
portions with square plinths at the angles. 8
The early foundation of this church ajipears to have escaped from
historic record. In the Irish Calendars of Tallaght '^> and of the O'Clervs.io
there is an Abbot of Gleann-Uisean, or of Killeshin, called iMuirghen,
whose feast was kept on the 27th of January, as a saint, although his
period is not known, and his Acts have perished. He probably flourished
at an early date. In the year of our Lord 843, the death of Acdhan
of Gleann-Uisean is recorded. ^i This is the first annalistic entrv of an
abbot's name at this place; although, Fatlier John Colgan states, that
St. Dicrmitius ^2 — whose death is set down at a mi;ch later period —
was the first abbot of the Monastery of Gleann-Ussen.is Next to him
is placed St. Comgan,i4 and afterwards in order St. Murgenius.i5 How-
ever, we consider this to be a purely arbitrary arrangement. In the
year 874 '6 is noticed the death of Diarmaid, Abbot of Gleann-Uissean.
He was also a bishop, and a descendant of Cathair ^hn\ Monarch of
Erin, of the Lagcnians. He is regarded as a saint, and his festival has
been placed at the 8th of July,i7 probablv the day of his death. A saint
called Comdhan, otherwise Comgan, the son of Dairmaid, son of
Deghaidh, and descended from Cormac Cas, son of Oilill Oluim,'^ was
connected with Gleann-Uissen, and his feast has been assigned to the
" Along the abaci at each side ran
the {cllowing inscriptions ; while the
beginning of another inscriptir)n occurs
on the front of the jamb of the second
order on the north side. This ajii-ears
to have been continuc^l to the top of
the janib : —
OK DO ART . . . RIG
LAGEN .... ACT'S DO
.... 0>v_ AHRCHINNEC
[H] . . OK DO
LENA UAMEE . . . DUACH
... OR DO CELLAC [AMI
• • ■]
The first inscription may be read : —
' Pray for Art . . . King of Leinster,
and for .... Steward. Pray for . . .
lena Ua Melflach, Prince of llv]
r'>uach. Pray for Celiac " Sir
Charles Coote incorrectly describes
these letters to b ■ " very old Saxon
characters, but so battered and abused
as almost totally defaced." See
" General View of the Agriculture and
Manufactures of the Queen's County,"
chap, xiv., sect. 4, p. lO.], and also,
" Notes on Irish Architecture," by
Edwin, third Earl of Dunraven, edited
by Margaret Stokes, vol. ii., Cill
Uissean, pp. 82, 83.
" In the Eranciscan copy, kept at
Mrr( h.int's Qiic'iv, Dublin, tlie entry is
miinjein Ab glinui u-i'cii at January
jjlh. He i.s alsu unted in Kev.
l-»r. Mattliew K'elly's " Calendars of the
Irish Saints," p. xiii.
10 See Rev. IVs. Todd and Reeves'
" Martyrologv of D(.)U"_;.il," pp. 28, jq.
" St-e Dr. |m1i;i (VlMuuvan's "Annals
of the Eour .Alastcrs," vol. i., pp. .|0_|,
'2 Venerated at the Sth of pily.
^^ See " Acta Sanctorum llibernia',"
Februarii xxvii. De S. Comgano Abbate
dc Gleann-l'ssen, A]ipendix, ]x 418.
I'* Venerated at the .'7th of h^cbruary.
'5 His feast occurs at the 27th of
January.
1" See Dr. fohn O' Donovan's "Annals
of the Eour Masters," vol. i., pp. 520, c;2i.
I'' See Rev. Drs. Todd and Reeves'
" Martyrology of Donegal," pp. iSS, 189.
'^Sucli is the ]U'digree made out for
hiui, in the " Genealogies of the Irish
Saints," chap. xxxv.
'" According to the Martyrologies
of Tallaght, of Cashel, of Alarianus
O'Gorman, and of the O'Clerys.
-° See Rev. Drs. Todd and Reeves'
" Martyrology of Donegal." pp. 58,
^0.
26o HISTORY OF THE QUEEN'S COUNTY.
27th of February. 19 His motlier was Etlinc, daughter of Feidlimidh,
son of Tigernaeh, accordingto the 0'Cler\s' ■• Calendar."2o Little appears
to be known regarding this holy abbot, with any degree of certainty ;
however, Father John Colgan-i has collected, from various sources,
whatever memorials he thought might be adduced to illustrate his Acts.
In order of time, Comgan is thought to have succeeded Diarmaid, as
abbot over Gleann-Uisean ; 22 but at what particular date has not been
ascertained. A verv ancient cemeter3^, yet much frequented for inter-
ments, surrounds the old ruined church of Killeshin.
In the 3'"'ear 915,-3 a remarkable battle was fought 24 between the
Northern and the Lcinster Irish at Ceannfuit.25 In this encounter
the latter were defeated. It appears that Niall, the son of Aedh, who
was monarch of Erin, led an army of the North and South Ui-Neill to
aid the men of Munster ; while, the luen of Leinster were engaged in
liesieging Sitric, grandson of Imhar, who had taken up a position at
Ceannfuit. Niall had pitched his camp at Tobar-Glethrach,^^ in Magh-
Femhin,-7 on the 22nd of August ; and the foreigners entered that
territory on the same day. About nine o'clock, the opposing forces
met, when the Irish began the engagement. A fierce battle ensued,
and the Irish were victorious, while 1,100 were slain, -^ the greater part
of these being foreigners. 29 Meantime, considerable reinforcements
had set out from the Northmen's stronghold to relieve their people,
under the leadership of Raghnall, King of the Black Foreigners. But
these arrived too late, and only when the Irish had returned victorious
to their camp. Then, Niall set out with a small force against the new-
comers ; but he seems to have been unable to do more than merely hold
his ground encamped before them. However, he requested the Leinster-
men to continue their siege against Sitric and his followers. Notwith-
standing, the latter marched out to meet their opponents, and a great
slaughter of the Leinster men ensued. About 600 of these v/ere slain,
and among the chiefs were King Ugaire, son of Ailell, Maelmordha, son
of Muireagan, lord of Airther-Life, Mughron, son of Cinneidhaigh, lord
of the three Comainns and of Laighis, Cinaedh, son of Tualhal, lord of
Ui-Feineachlais,3o with many other chieftans, besides the Archbishop 31
Maelmaedhog, son of Diarmaid,3- Abbot of Gleann-Uissean. The latter
— ^who probably attended the Irish hosting in a spiritual capacity — was
-' See " Acta Sanctorum llibcrnia'," were the chief ot Carraig-Bracliaidhe,
l'\!iruarii xxvii. De S. Comgaiio Abbale Maelfinnen, son of Donna-_;an, chief of
de Gleann-Ussen, pp. 417, 41S. tJi-Ccarnaigh, and Fearglial, son of
-- See the anthor's " Lives of the Irish Rluiri^en, chief of the Ui-Creau'hthainu.
Saints," vol. li., at 27th day of February, 29 jji^jy ^^q calletl, Ukewise, the
Art. i. Foreigners of Loch-Dachaech, in WiUiam
-■* See Dr. John O'Donovan's "Annals M. Hennessy's " Chronicu.ii Scotorum,"
of the Four Masters," vol. ii., pp. 5S8 pp. 188, 189.
to 591, and nn. (e, f, g. h), so 'fins was a trilje, seated in the
-' In W'iUiam M. tlcnncssy's " Chroni- barony of Arklow, in the south-easterp
cum Scotorum," these events are placed part of the County of Wicklow.
at A.D. 91O, see pp. 188, 189. s'- He is called so, not probably in an
-5 Dr. O'Donovan identifies this place ofticial character, but as distinguished
with Confey, near Leixlij), in the barony among the Irish prelates of the time,
of Salt, and County of Kildare. 32 Hq belonged to the Ui-Conannla
-'' This place has not been identified. tribe.
-'' The plain extending around Cashel, ^3 4^ Irish poem was composed on
in the CouiUv of Tip]iertiry. the battle of Ceann-Fuaid, by which it
-^ Among the Irish of note who fell should seem that this place was near
PARISH OF KILLESHIN. 261
a distinguished scribe, 33 anchoret, and an adept in the Latin learning
and in the Scotic language. 34
In the year 917 35 died Domhnall, Abbot of Gleann-Uissean. Ainbith,
son of Domhnall, Abbot of Gleann-Uissean, died a.d. g^S.y-' In 946,37
Cathasach, son of Domhnall, Abbot of Gleann-Uissean, tlied. In 951 ^^
died Feidhlimidh foster-son of ^Iaelmaedhog,3'' Abbot of Gleann Uissean,
the sage of Leinster. In 977, according to the " Annals of the Four
IMasters," 40 — rede 979 — Flann, son of Maelmaedhog, airchinneach of
Gleann-Fuaid, died. In the year 9S6 — recfe 987 — Caenchomhrac, son to
Ainbhithe, Abbot of Gleann-Uissean, died.^i In the year ioi6,4- — rcclc 1017
— died Diarmaid Ua jMaelmaedhog, Abbot of Gleann-Uisean ; and, also,
the same year, Caenchomhrac, rector of Gleann-Uissean.43 This latter
entry shows, that a school of learning existed there, during the eleventh
century. In 1041,44 Donnchadh, son of Brian, burned Fearna-mor-
]\Iaedhog, while it appears, ^Nlurchadh, son of Dunlaing,45 was associated
with him in that sacrilegious act. In revenge, as we are told, Diarmaid,
son of Mael-na-mbo, lord of Ui-Ceinnsealaigh— himself a great devastator
of churches — plundered and burned Gleann-Uissean,4'j breaking down
the oratory, killing 100 persons,47 and taking some hundreds of others
prisoners.'^ The -'Annals of Ulster" record this devastation under the
year 1042 ; while the " Chronicum Scotorum " 49 has it at a.d. 1039.
In 1045, ''o Cathasach Ua Corcrain comharba»of Gleann-Uissean —
according to the " Annals of the Four Masters " — or Cathasach O'Cathail,
coarb of Coevgin — according to the " Annals of Ulster " 5i — died. At
this same year, the " Annals of Clonmacnoise " have the death of
" Cahassagh, cowarb of St. Kevyn." 5^ In 1077,53 Gleann-Uissean,
with its yews, was burned.54 The existing early remains of Killeshin
church were probably the work of a period, soon after the destruction
of the old buildings in 1077, or towards the beginning of the eleventh
centnry.55 In the year ioS2.5<^ Conchobhar Ua Uatlighaile, lector of
Gleann-Uissean died. He is also called Conchouran, a pi"ofessor in this
cither Tigh-IMolini^, i.e., St. IMoling's ■*'■ See Colgan's " Trias Thauincituriui,"
House, St. Alullin's. on the eastern bank p. <>3.v
of tlie Barrow, or TimoUn, near jMoone, "this is stated m the " Annales
in the County of KiMare. lUtonieuses," at a.d. lu-p. See Dr.
2* See Archdall's " ATonasticon Hibcr- Charles O'Conor's " Rerum Hiberni-
nicum," p. 398. caruni Scriptores," tomus iv., p. 3-7-
^5 See Dr. Jolm O'Donovan's "Annals '^ While the " Annals uf Ulster" have
of the Four Masters," vol. ii., pp. 592, 400 captives, those of the h'our .Masters
i;93. have so many as 700.
^'^ See 2i/d, pp. 638, 639. ^^ See William AI. J-fennessy's edition,
■^ See -ibid, pp. 6;S, 6^9. pp. 274, 275. The true year, however.
3s See Hid, pp. 668, 609. is 1041, as O'Flaherty has noted in the
^'J Probably, he who had been slain in margin. See n. i. Iliid.
the battle of Ceann-fuit. ■ ■'■" See Dr. John O'Dunovan's "Annals
•'0 See Dr. John O'Donovan's edition, of the i'-our Masters," vol. ii., pp. S48,
vol. ii., pp. 708, 709. -S4Q.
" See u'u'd, pp. 718, 719. ^^ The Clarendon Codex copy, tome 49.
*~ See zdi'd, pp. 7S8, 789. ^- See Ibid., n. (q).
••3 Archdall styles him "professor -'2 See Colgan's " Trias Thauniaturga,"
in this abbey," — " Monasticon liiber- p. 6,33.
nicum," p. 39S. ^' See Dr. John 0'Dont)van's "Annals
■" See Dr. John O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. ii., pp. 91-.
of the Four IMasters," vol. ii., pp. 840, 913.
841. 55 S(,e " AJotcs on Irish ArchiteeUire,"
^=^ Domhnall Reamhar is also named by F.ihvin, third I'-arl of Duiiravcn,
as an accomplice. edited by Margaret Stokes, vol. li., p. 85.
262 inSTORY OF THE QUEEX's COUNTY.
ft
abbe5'.57 We are told that Cogganus, patron of the church of KiUuskin —
aliler Killeshin — in jMargge Lagenie, nourished a.d. 1147 ; ■''^ and. as
Nicholaus ]\Iag\vyre testifies, he wrote the Acts of Malachy of Armagh, 59
and of fk^rnard of Clairvaux/'o
Killesliin liad Thomas Underwood for its reading minister, a resident,
and Ohver Keating was vicar and a reading minister in 1616.61 The
living was then returned at £y value. The church and chancel were
in good repair, and furnished with books. Killeshin having twelve
townlands, and being an entire rectory, was, in 1640, worth (,'100 per
annum ; but it was worth only £^0 in the year 1657. The Common-
wealth enjoyed the profits. The church at Killeshin, in ruins, was then
about two miles distant from the furthermost part of the parish. No
minister was there, in the last-mentioned year ; ^2 and, we may well
suppose, the war of the Confederate Irish Catholics was a chief reason
\vhy it had been deprived of a minister.
The map of the parish of Killeshin, admeasured 63 in 1657, contained
a considerable portion of Protestant lands, while the other forfeited
denominations are Killishin, Rosmore, Ballihide, Old Dorrock, Ould
Dorrockes, Clonemore, Garrough, Curragh, Harristowne, Logh, Balli-
hormer, Rosneligan, Cappanamroge. The different acres of arable, ]:)asture,
shrub, mountain, bog, and wood lands, are here shown. The proprietors
who forfeited these lands — amounting to over 3,404 acres-^-are Thomas
Davills, English Papist, Robert Hartpool, English Papist, Oliver St. Leger,
English Papist, Robert Hartpoole, English Papist, Martin Skelton, English
Papist. The ruins of the church and a castle are only seen on Killeshin
denomination. We are told also^ that some cabins were there. On the gth
of March, 1670, we find an instrument, so dated, to settle for ever on the
incumbent and his successors in Killeshin the impropriate tithes of
this parish, sul^ject to their parang such rents, reservations, and duties,
as were formerly paid for the same ; and also subject to such increase of
rent as the Chief Governor with six or more of the Privy Council should
judge reasonable and convenient, within two years, and not after, from
the passing of the Act of Settlement and Inrolments.64 According to
Sir Charles Coote,^5 Killeshin was the chief town in the Queen's County,
during disturbed times ; while a county gaol and court-house, with
a governor's mansion — a line building — were here, although no trace
of them remained. 66 The parish of Killeshin is represented, on Sir
William Petty's maps, with a castle or house, near the bridge of Carlow,
and another is near the old church ; but, with the exception of a mossy
s^ See Dr. John O'Donovan's "Annals *' According to the " Liber RegaHs
of the Four ]M;isters," vol. ii., pp. 918, Visitationis."
919. '^2 gge Sir Charles Coote's " General
^■^ See Archdall's " Monasticon ITil)cr- V)>\v of the Agriculture and ]\Ianut'ac-
nicum," p. 39S. tures of the Queen's County," chap i.,
^^ See " Anuales Breves Hibernia\" sect. 3, p. 13.
auctore Thaddd'O Dowling, Cancellario ''■'- By John ^Mason.
I.echlinnenssi, edited by Very Rev. s* Sec " The Ecclesiastical Register,
Richard Butler, Dean of Clonniacnoi.se, containing the Names of the Dit;nilaries
p. S. and Parochial Clergy of Irelantl," &c.,
5^ The celebrated St. Malachy edited under the sanction of the Board
O'Morgair, Archbi.Miop of Armagh, in of First Fruits, by John C. Erck, A.M.,
the twelfth century. His feast occurs LL.B., p. 132.
on the 3rd of No\'cmber. ''^ See " General View of the Agricul-
*" His festi\'al has been assigned to ture and ^Manufactures of the Queen's
the 20th of August. County," chap, xiv., sect 4, p. 194.
PARISH OF KILL]
IIIN.
;63
bog, and a clump of trees, no other features of interest, are presented
on those maps.
About twenty yards to the south-west of the old church entrance
stood a belfry. This was a round-tower of great height and beaut}-. Its
door-way faced the church. It was pulled down, in tlie beginning of the
eighteenth century, by a Captain Wolseley.67 Writing in tlie war 1709,
Molyneux thus alludes to this tower : — " Near the foot of the mountain
on this road stands the old church of Killesliin, which is a \'er\' old
building. Here lately stood, over against the Doore of the Church,
one of the old round steeples, which I am told was very high, old and
well-built, so that when the owner of this place had it fallen, it came to
tiie ground m one solid piece, and was not even by the fall against the
ground so broke, but that several vast pieces 3'et remain sticking together
so that you easily discover what this building was. It plainly appears
to be of the same building and age with the adjacent church, and this
was certainly an Irish building, as appears by two Inscriptions at each
Side of the door as you enter, which I transcribed." ^s An anon^'mous
writer, who made additions to a copy of " Ware's Antiquities " upwards
of a century ago, states, that these buildings were of the same age. "^9
It would seem, that the local tradition, which referred the pulling
down of this round tower, by the landlord of the place, to about the year
1750, was incorrect ; nor do we know how true was the popular state-
ment,"o that it had been built on four pillars,7i whicl^ are slender in
comparison with the lofty pile raised over them.72 The greater part
of the stones in this tower — which fell prone over a length of ground
like a huge gun 73 — were afterwards taken away, and used to build little
^8 In the bc-^inniui:; of the last century,
when the old j.ieuple pointed out the
sites of ston(-' stoclcs and a ^'allows.
'I'lien, on turning up the sods, immense
heaps of stones covered witli mortar
were found, while these were dug up to
repair the roads.
''■^ This fact is preserved, in the fly-
leaf of a C(ipy of the Irish Statntes,
altridged, and |>rinted by Crook. Dublin,
in 1700. It is now in possession of
Clayton Browne, Esq., D.L., Browne's
Hill, Carlnw. This mannscript entrv
runs : " Mnnday ye 8th Day of Marcli
j_q£- That dav the Steeple of Kil-
3
lishan undermined and flung down by
one Bambrick imployed by Cai)t.
Wolseley in Three Days Worke.
" 170" 8th ?ilarch at 3 of the
3
clock in ye afternoon ye steeple fell to
ye ground, being measured it was 105
foot highe or in Length."
^^ See Journey to Kilkenny in the
year 1709, from Manuscript Notes of
Dr. Thomas Molyneux, " Journal of
the Royal Historical and Arcluuological
Association of Ireland," vol. iii., p. 302,
second series.
f'^ The name of the " barbarian " has
been preserved, as " one Colonel
Vv'cilseley." The writer adds "for
wliich act, the P)ishop of T.cighlin w;i,s
very much displeased with him." So
states Dr. Petrie in a letter to Dr.
O' Donovan.
'^" Gi\'en to John O'Douovan, when
describing the antiquities of this parish.
See " Letters containing Information
relative to the Antiquities of tlie Queen's
County, collected during the Progress of
the Ordnance Survey in 1S3S," vol. ii.
Letter of John O'Donovan, dated Carlow
December 17th, 183S, p. 96.
"1 This information naturally sur-
prised INIr. O'Donovan, who was anxious
to know if Mr. Petrie Icnew of any Irish
Round Tower similarly constructed, as
he believed the Killcshin oii'- to have
been a real Cloit^lithcnch CIcgcas, or
round Caslello-campanile tower, coeval
witli the (loor-wav, in the west gable
of the adjoining old church.
■^^ The people told Mr. O'Donovan,
that the landlord threw down the tower,
because he feared, lest his bullocks going
under the supporting pillars to scratch
themselves miglit overturn the super-
structure and thus be killed or kill
others.
'^ It was cracked, however, in \'arious
264 HISTORY OF THE QUEEN'S COUNTY.
houses in the neighl)ourhood. Many of the stones whicli formed its
external face were shown, 74 scattered about its innnediate site, in 1S38 ;
and, the}' were dressed with convex surfaces, so as to suit the outer courses
of a round tower structure. 75 More than seventy years ago, wlien the in-
scriptions on Killeshin old church were much more perfect than at present,
William Morrison made drawings of this church and its doorway foi
Dr. Potrie.7<J In the beginning of last century, tlie chancel arch of this
church was pulled down ; while a great part of the south wall was
destroyed. It is said to have contained two round-headed windows,
which were widely splayed on the inside. Two windows of the same
character still remain in the north wall. The most perfect of these
windows is 7 feet in height, by 3 feet 6 inches internally, and it is placed
at a height of 9 feet from the ground. There is a third window, near
the top of the west gable, rather smaller, but of the same form and
character. 77 Adjoining the old church of Killesliin, and on the sub-
division called Castlequarter, there is a moat of considerable size, and
tradition 7^ stated that a castle formerly stood there. 79
The mountains of this parish rise 1,000 feet over the River Barrow,
which bounds it on the east. Sandstone and limestone are found here,
with extensive collieries. Formerly there were smelting furnaces, which
have long smce been discontmued owing to the want of fuel. Some few
acres are under wood and bog; but, the soil admits of agricultural
treatment up to the very summits of the mountains, especially on the
eastern slopes, which have a fme and varied appearance from the Carlow
side of the River Barrow. In the beginning of the last century, the
celebrated Cut of Killeshin was to be seen near the old church, and this
led from Carlow to the collieries district of Slieveniarigue. It was a
natural pass, commencing on the rise of the mountain, about three
miles from Carlow ; and, it ran for over halt a mile in length, from
10 feet to 40 feet in depth, according to the asrent of the ground. It was
only 4 feet 4 inches wide, cut through the solid rock, and so narrow,
that a single car could only pass, the wheels scraping either side, and
the axle-trees of the cars were formerly fitted to that measure.^o The
constant flow of water through it, and the friction of the wlicels, had
sunk the level to a great depth, after the use of thirty years.^^ This
places, ns the people had it from Mr. O'Donovan, no trace of the
traditions. castle was visible. See " Letters
"■* To ]\Ir. O'Donovan, who has drawn containing; Information relative to the
the outline of some in his letter. Antiquities of the Queen's County,
■'s When the tower was about to be collected during the Progress of the
pulled down, the people of the adjoining Ordnance Survey in 183S," vol. ii.
houses assembled to witness its fall on Letter of John O'Donovan, dated
the suinniit of Knockarath, standing Carlow, Decendier 17th, 1838, p. 105.
over the site. '^"When the carriers approached
■"' See Dr. William Stokes' " Life either end of the gap, they hallooed
and Labours in Art and Archaeology of loudly, as the sound was easily conveyed
George Petrie, LL.D., M.R.I.A., &c.," from one end of the pass to the other,
p. 204. London, 1S6S. 8vo. By a law of the road, only one car could
■^■^ See " Notes on Irish Architecture," enter it ; but, as it sometimes happened,
by h'-dwin, third F.arl of Dunraven, the drivers met. when it was expecteil
edited by Margaret Stokes, vol. ii., the empty car should back out of this
Cill-l'i>^sean, v. 84. rough and narro\s' pass. Sometimes
"^ According to the old people there the drivers foii-lit a battle, when
livim; in iS^s. the vanquished was obliged to give
■'^ Wlien tliis spot was visited by way.
PARISH OF KILIJ'SIIIN. 265
remarkable Cut has fiivcn place to a considerable widening, and a new
road of a very excellent character has been carried througli the sjiot, on
to the collieries.
The large sweep of mountain land extending through this parish
is usually called Clogrennan ; and, at Everton, near Carlow, the gift'-d
Irish poet, J. J. Callanan, was usher for a time, in the once celebrated
academy of j\Ir. L^'nch.^- In this parish, also, at Old Derig, resided for a
consitlerable time. Right Rev. James Doyle, D.D., the celebrated
Catholic Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin.83 From this retreat, many of
those letters signed " J. K. L." issued. Under the Act of 1812,84 the
population of the entire of Slewmargy barony is set down as 12,750
persons, living in 2,137 houses.^S So late as 1827, neither Protestant
church, nor glebe house was in this parish, the incumbent of which
was then Rev. James Laiigrishe.S6 However, in 1826, a church was
commenced through aid given by the Board of First Fruits.'^7 The
population of Killeshin parish, alone, in 1831, was 5,152.^8
In 1837, the living was a rectory and a vicarage in the Diocese of
Leighlin, tlie rectory being in the patronage of the Crown, and the vicarage
in that of the bisliop ; they were then held by one incumbent, the
tithes amounting to ^461 los. 9:^d.89 This parish, mcluding the part
of Carlow suburbs called Graigue, contained 5,152 mhabitants in 1S37.
It is also situated in the Deanery of Carlow.9o As applotted under the
Tithe Act, this parish comprised, in 1837, no less than 10,520 statute
acres, and it was valued at £7,765 per annum. Tlfc population in
1841 amounted to 5,278, and the houses were 861 ; the inhabitants of
the rural districts being 3,286, and the houses numbering 553.91 Near
the old cemetery and ruins a modern Catholic cha])el has Ix-en erected,
within the ambit of an elevated and a circular mound, which appears
to have been an old fortification. This parish is the head of a union
or district — comprising Sletty — in the Roman Catholic arrangement ;
and it has chapels at (iraigue and Killeshin. Here, too, Ihore is a very
strong chalybeate s})ring, which formerly was held in great repute for
its medicinal properties.9-
^1 111 till' eighteenth century, Mr. Kildare and Leighlin," vol. i., chaps.
Fitzinauncc, owner ol the grounds, had ix. to xx. Secoml edition, Dublin,
{ireviously aliaiuloned a similar cut over I'-^So. 8vo.
the mountain. See Sir Charles Coote's »* An Act for Ascertainmg the Po])u-
" General View of the Agriculture and lation of Ireland.
Manuiactures of the Queen's County," s^ See J. N._ Brewer's "Beauties of
chay). xiv., sect. 4, pp. 192, 193. Ireland," vol. ii., p. X4.
82 While here was composed liis little sa See " The Ecclesiastical Register,
poem addressed to " .-\ S])rig of JMoun- containing the Names of the Dignitaries
tain Heath," containing this local and Parochial Clergy of Ireland," -Xc,
allusion : — edited under the sanction of the Board
" No more the morning mist shall of First Fruits, by John C. F.rck, A.M.,
break, LL.B., p. 129. Dublin, 1S27. 8vo.
Around Clogh-grcnan's towering ^7 See " Parliamentary Gazetteer of
peak," iK-c'. Ireland," vol. li., p. 476.
— " Poems," p. 67, new edition, printed "^ See Lewis' " Topographical Dic-
at Cork in 1861. 121110. tionary of Ireland," vol. li., p. 143.
S3 He coninunced to reside here from «" See Erck's" Ecclesiastical Register,"
the summer of 1823. nnd he left it for etc., p. 129.
Braganza House, Carlo^^■. in Michaelmas, »" See Lewis' "Topographical Dic-
1S26. See William j. Fitzpatrick's tionary of Ireland," vol. ii., p. 143-
" Life, Times, and Correspond.'nce of "^ See " Parliamentary Gazetteer of
the Right Rev. Dr. Dovle, Bishop of Ireland," vol. ii., p. 475.
206 HISTORY OF Tlili OUEKN's COUNTY.
On tlie western portion of Killcshin parish runs the former mail
coach road from Dubhn to Castlcconier, on b\- the Newtown colHeries,
and over table-lands of very considerable elevation. 9^ In the Catholic
arrangement, the parish of "Slatty is united witli tliat of Killeshin ; the
church is near tlie more ancient ruins, adjoining the high road from
Carlow to Castlecomer.''4
The town of Graigue in this parish stands on the east verge of the
county, and on the west bank of the River Barrow, united by Wellington
Bridge with the town of Carlow on the opposite side. It extends chietly
in a continuous street about one-half mile along the margin of the river.
It contains handsome Roman Catholic and Protestant churches, 95 a
convent, and schools. The area of the town was 127 acres; 96 and, in
1831. the population was 1,076 ; in 1841 it was ivduced to 1,675.97
It has fairs January 6th, February iSth, April ist, and October 6th.
During Hilar}' Term, usually in January, during Kaster Term, usually
in iMarch or April, during Trinitv Trrm, u^uailv in Jinic, and durmg
Michaelmas Term, usually in October.
CHAPTER XXXIII.— Parish of Kilmanman.
This parish lies in the barony of Tinnahinch, and in thu-'extrcme north-
western angle of the Queen's Count}'. It has an area of 16,848 a. 3 ;-. 19 -p. ;
and of these g6a. 3 r. ip. are under the waters of Lough Annagh, in the
northern part.i About one-half of the land in Kilmanman parish is fairly
good; but the remainder forms very indifferent tillage and pasture-ground,
while a great extent of surface is under l)og and mountain land. A portion
of IMonettia bog lies in the north-cast corner ; while tlie bogs about
Lough Annagh occupy the north border. The country north of Clonaslee
is flat, bleak, marshy and uninteresting ; but tliat on the south is highly
and agreeably varied by slopes of the Slie\e Bloom mountains. The
highest ground of this parish is in the south, and it has there an altitude
of over 1,300 ft. above the sea level. A good luountain road from
Clonaslee runs to the summit of Knockachorra and Wolftrap IMountains ;
and even b\'e-roads conduct the tourist in quest of wild scenery to the
upper ascents of Barradois jMountain, from which several miniature
cascades descend. The interior is traversed westwards by the road
from Dublin to Birr. Lough Annagh is about three miles in circum-
ference, and it aboimds with pike, roach and perch. It has an area of
207 rt. ir. 14/)., and it receives the drainage of about 4,000 acres of bog.
®- See Cough's " Camden's Britannia," See "The Irish Church Dictionary and
vol. iii., p. 536. Year Book for 1903," p. 124.
'■•3 Shown on the " Ordnance Survey '•"' Shown on the " Ordnance Survev
Tciwnland Maps for the Queen's County," Townland Maps for the Queen's County,"
Slieet 31. Sheet 37.
*■* Further information and an engrav- '■'^ See " ParHamentary Gazetteer of
ing of tlie ohl Killeshin door-way may be Ireland," vol. ii., ].). 2S2.
seen in the Most Rev. Dr. Comerford's 1 This parisli is shown on the " Ord-
" Collections relating to the Dioceses nance Survey Townland INIaps for the
of Kildare and Lcighlin," vol. ill., pp. Queen's County," Sheets i, 2, 3, 6.
241 tn 266. - See " Parliainentarr Gazetteer of
"* The incumbent of this Protestant Ireland," vol. i., p. 33.
parish has an income of ;^202 per annum. ^ See " I,etters containing Information
KILMANMAN CHUUCII.
J'lijlos
\ul.
1.
CORRKJlihlN.
Ykiv. h. o'J..
PAR[>H OF KILMANMAN. 267
Its superfluent waters escape by the Cloda,^^h stream, wliirfi has some
[)icturesqiie falls within the demesne of tlie Earl of Charknille, and
after a north-easterh' ran of fifteen miles it falls into the Brosna River.
The lake is seldom more than from 5 ft. to S ft. in depth. The bottom
is boggy, and interspersed with innnmerable roots of decayed trees.
This parish has been noticed by John O'Donovan in the Ordnance Survey
Records. 3
It is said that this parish derives its name from a patron saint, called
.Manman, who, it is thought, founded a church here in the seventh
century/. Under such form, however, his name does not occur in our
Irish Calendars ; so that he appears to have been a saint only of local
celebritv. About two miles west from Kilmanman church, according
to tradition, he built the monastery of Lanchoil or Lahoil, and he called
it Corrigeen, or " the hermitage of the rocl^s." Near it is a barrow
called " the Giant's Grave." 4 On the return of the annual festival of
St. Manman — we are not told, however, at what day it took place — the
Roman Catholic clergyman celebrated a Mass in this parish, about the
beginning of the last century. This Mass was attended by the friends
of those who were to be interred in the burying-ground of that parish. 5
In the middle of Lough Annagh, and where it is most shallow, appears
a low island, which was formerly fortified, and on which oak framing
and stocl<ades are yet visif)le. In 1641, a party of insurgents had a
wooden dwelling thereon erected. Thence they often saHied out by
night in a boat, and plundered the surroimding country.^ In former
times this district, called Oregan or Yregan O' Dunne, 7 and now
called Dooregan, seems to have been densely wooded. It was one of
the seven cantreds of the Kingdom of Ophaley, and it is co-extensive
with the entire Barony of Tinnahinch. In the years 1302 to 1307,
Oregan had a chiu'ch of which the Hospitallers were the rectors, and
the value of its vicarage was assessed at £^0 ; but no Tenths were
returned, as it did not exceed the limit. ^ Queen Elizabeth is known to
have thanked one of her commanders for having conducted a party of
her cavalry in safetv through the woods of Oregan.
The village of Clonaslee, in 1846, was regarded as head of a quoad
sacra parish ^> — a sejxirated benefice and perpetual curacy — comprising
the quoad civilia parish of Kilmanman and two townlands of Rearymore
parish. That village is on the Rivulet Barradois, which rises in the Slieve
Bloom ^Mountains. A Protestant church \vas built here in 1814, by
means of a gift of ;^73S cjs. 2-:ld. from the Board of First Fruits, and
relative to the Antiquities of the Queen's ' See the old Map of T.eix, Ofaly, Irry,
County collected during the Progress of Clanmalier, Ire^an, and Slievemargy,
the Ordnance Survey in 1838," vol. i. preserved in the British Museum, an<l
Letter of John O'Donovan, dated a copy of which has been engraved
Stradbally, December 8th, 1S3S, pp. 207 for " The Journal of the Kilkenny and
to 212. South-east of Ireland Archieological
* .\ pensant, named Purcell, is said to Society," vol. iv., new series, 1S62-63,
have explored this mound more thnn a at p. 345, with letter])ress illustrations,
century ago, and to have found therein by Herbert F. Hore, Esq.
a spur ot rude and antique workmanship, s Cj^p>ndar of Documents relating to
composed of solid gold. Ireland, preserved in Her I\Iajesty's
5 According to Rev. John Baldwin's Public Record Oliice, I,ondon, 1302-
account. 1307-" Edited by H. S. Sweetman and
'^ See Lewis' " Topographical Die- Gustavus Frederick Handcock, p. 248.
tionarv of Ireland," vol. ii., p. 175. ^ It has an area of 9,422', acres.
268 HISTORY OF THE QUEEN'S COUNTY.
with a loan of ^276 iSs. 5ld. It is surmounted by a tower and spire.
The \'illage has an area of 23 acres. It has fairs on Februarv 27th,
May 16th, August i5tli, and November 6th. The scenery northwards is
over levels, dreary, boggy, and uninteresting ; but southwards, and up the
slopes of the Slieve Bloom Mountains, several noble and picturesque views
may be obtained. The beautiful demesne and fine mansion of the Dunne
family and the ruins of Castlecufte are quite near Clonaslce.'o At Clara
Hill, about one mile from the village, are the ruins of an old castellated
mansion, formerly the residence of a younger branch of the Dunne
family ; and near the east bank of the Barradois or Clodiagh river are
the ruins of Ballynakill Castle, built in 16S0, by Colonel Dunne. ^ A
list of incumbents for the Union of Oregan, extracted from the First
Fruits' Records, with the dates of their appointment, is here subjoined :
Gulielm. Lightbound admiss. 16 April. 1619 v. de Oregan, /16 4s. Georg.
Chapham, institut. fuit 25° die Aprilis 1662, ad. vicar de Oregan als.
Rossenollis cum capell. annex, in dioc. Daren. ;^I2 3s. Georg. Chapham.
institut. fuit 3° die Jan. 1675, ad vicar de Oregan in dioc. Daren, et
com. Rcgince. ;^I2 4s. ob. Ricus. Hall, cler. in Artib. i\Iagr. admiss.
fuit 29° die Jan. 16S4, ad vicar de Oregan als. Rossenollis, dioc. Daren,
et Com. Regm. £12 3s. ob. Ricus. Harwood, institut. fuit 18° i\Iay, 1709,
vie. Oregan als. Rosenallis £"12 7s. ob. Jeremiah Marsh, jun. institut,
21 June, 1788. v. Oregan oth. Rosenollis, Rerymore, Kilmainan, et
Castlebrack. James Saurin, institut. 15 Sept. iSoi, v. Oregan, als.
Rosenollis, £12 3s. and of the ch. of Kilmanman, Ballintomple other.
Rosemore, Castlebrack, King's Co., Rev. Thomas Pigott, instituted 20th
January, 1812, to the vicarage of Rosenallis, Rervmore, Kilmanman
and Castlebrack, in the dio. of Kildare and Queen's County, vice James
Saurin, who vacated by resignation. i-
In 1819 we find the following enumeration for this entire Union :
Houses, 2,150 ; families, 2,240 ; families chieflv employed in agri-
culture, 1,783; families chiefly employed in trade, manufactures, and
commerce, 379 ; males, 5,622 ; females, 6,018 ; total number of
inhabitants, 11,640.13 At a place called Killyshane, about half a
mile south-east of Kilmanman church, it is stated, there was a house
for religious women, and a burial-ground was discovered there in 176S,
by some labourers of General Dunne. Several monumental stones
of great antiquity were then unearthed. ^-^
In 1831 the population of Kilmanman amounted to 3,186, and of
these 2,672 lived in the rural districts. In 1841, the census gave 4,565,
living in 787 houses ; while of those 4,004 inhabited 691 houses in the
rural districts. ^5 In 1837, this parish contained 5,817 statute acres ol
arable and pasture lands ; and besides, between six and seven thousand
acres of bog and mountain. The parish was in the diocese of Kildare,
and the rectory was impropriate in the O'Doyne or Dunne family. The
vicarage formed part of the union of Rosenallis or Oregan ; ^^ and therr
^^ See " Parliamentary Gazetteer of Rosenallis or Oregan, by Rev. John
Ireland," vol. i., pp. 426, 427. Baldwin, cnrate, sect, xi., pp. 329, 330.
11 See Most Rev. Bishop Comerford's ^^ See t'bid., Appendix No. i.
"Collections relating to the Dioceses of ^* See ibid., pp. 319, 320.
Kildare and Leighlin," vol. ii., p. 114. ^^ See "Parliamentary Gazetteer of
12 See William Shaw IMason's " Statis- Ireland," vol. ii., p. 508.
tical Acconnt or Parochial Survey of i'' The miion was valued at £S7S- See
Ireland," vol. iii., No. xvi. Union of "The National Gazetteer," vol. ii., p. 440.
KILLHNY CHURCH.
See i)age 254
"" J^ ~^ ■''t.i «*^'
^'^#^^3
/V/,iA.,v /m]
KlLTEliL CHURCH.
[/uv. /:'. nv..
\"nl. [
See p.i^i' _'(>o.
PARISH OF KILTEAL. 269
was a perpetual curacy, consisting of Kilmanman parisli and two town-
lands of the parish of Rcrymore called Clonaslee, wliich were in the
patronage of the vicar. The tithes amounted to £283 7s. S|d., of which
/177 8s. ijd. was payable to the impropriator, ;^5g i6s. 6d. to the vicar,
and £46 3s. id. to the perix'tual curate. '7 The Protestant church in
Clonaslee had been repaired a short time previous, b}^ a grant of ^377,
from the Ecclesiastical Commissioners. The present incumbent has a
l)ro vision for £165 a year.'S
The demesnes m this parish besides Brittas, belonging to the family of
Dunne, are i^.rocka Lodge. Castlecuffe, Coolnabanch and lidgehill. Accord-
ing to the Roman Catholic arrangement, Kilmanman parish forms ihc
greater part of the Union of Clonaslee, where the chapel is situated.''
In the year 1734, a remarkable tumulus was found near Clonaslee, and
it has been described by Walter Harris ;-o while two other mounds similar
to this, and not far distant, were then unopened. The high road from
Dublin to Birr passes through the village of Clonaslee, and along the
northern slopes of the Slieve Bloom Mountains.
CHAPTER XXXIV.— The Parish of Kilteal.
The Parish of Kilteal is dehned on the Ordnance Survey Maps fot
the Queen's County. i One portion of it is within the Barony of Strad-
l)ally,- and the other within that of Maryborough East. 3 It is crossed
by the road from Stradbally to Portarlington. This parish has been
noticed by Thomas 0' Conor in the Ordnance Survey Records.4 The
land of this parish is suited mostly for agriculture, and it is of middling
qualit}', on some farms fairly good. Kiltealy Parish, wath Dunamase 5
Castle, on its high rock, is shown a little to the north-east of Kilcolmanbane,
on Sir William Petty's Mai)s.6
Sheltered beneath the celebrated rock and ruined fortress of Dunamase,
in the barony of Maryborough East, are the cemetery and medieval
church of Kilteal. The latter measures 36 ft. in length by 20 ft. in
breadth, on the interior. The remaining walls are about 3 ft. in thickness.
Only the end gable and portions of the side walls now stand. On the
north side wall there is a small window ; it measures 3 ft. in length,
by I ft. in breadth, on the outside, but it is further splayed interiorly.
Directly opposite to it, on the south side, the wall is quite ruined. In
1^ See Lewis' " Topographical Die- ^ Sec " Letters contaiuint^ Infor-
tionary of Ireland," vol. ii., p. 175. matiun relative to the Antiquities ot
'- See "The Irish Church Directory tlie Queen's County, collected during
and Year Book for 1903," p. 114. .the Progress of the Ordnance Survey in
I'' The Catholic history of this parish 1S3S," vol. i. Letter of Thomas O'Conor,
is more fully set forth in Most Kev. dated Stradbally, December 9th, 1838,
Bishop Comerford's " Collections relating jtp. 354 to 359.
to the Dioceses of Kildare and Leighlin," ^ The Rev. Edward Ledwich has
■v'ol. ii., pp. 1 1 5 to 123. contributed a paper " Mi'inoirs of
-" See Harris' " Ware," vol. ii., ".\n- Dunamase and Shane Castle in the
ticjuities of Ireland," chap, xviii., p. (Jueen's County," to General X'allancy's
149. " Collectanea de Rebus Hibernicis,"
• See Sheets 13, 14. vol. iii.. No. vi., sect. 3, j^p. 147 to 150.
-That contains i,^'n<i'T,r. 2.1/?, ''See General Valiancy's copy of
^ That portion contains i,99ifl. ar. those Alaps, now kept in Paris, vol. ii.,
12/5. No. 64. Irish Record Office, Ilubiin.
270
HISTORY OF THE OUEKN S COUNTY,
the gable remaining, there is a large opening near the ground. A short
distance over it, there is a narrow window, i it. in width, and 3 ft. in
height, splayed on the inside. So far as a conjecture may be hazarded
on present appearance, a choir-arch had been turned a short distance
over the lower opening, and under the upper window. By a more
modern adaptation, much of the si)ace had been filled up with masonry,
somewhat old. A narrow doorway was formed in it, and a portion of
its turning arch is yet visible. In the thirteenth century, it seems
]~irobable. when William Mareschal granted a charter to the priory of
(.Treat Coixall.7 in the County of Kildare, the prior and community obtained
sundr}' lands and tithes situated in Leix, and l:)e]onging to the See of
Leighiin, as its Bishop Richard Fleming contended. However, this
]irelate ga\e them up to the prior by a composition, only reserving
to hiniself and to his successors an annual pension of ten marks. Richard,
the Ijishop, died A.D. 1226, having governed his See for about nine years.^
At the period when monasteries were suppressed, the large possessions
of this abbey passed into other hands. The priory with all its possessions
was granted to Edward Randolfe, and in revLision to Sir Edward Butler.9
On the 3rd of December, 1561, the third year of Queen Elizabeth's reign,
it was re-granted to Sir Nicholas White, in reversion for the term of
sixty-one years, at the annual rent of fib iQs. 5d. Irish money. ^o
In the year 1577, '^ or 1578,1- Robert Pigot obtaii>ed an extensive
grant of lands in the parishes of Dysart Enos and of Kiltcal. to hoki
by knight's service. It would seem, that he obtained other lands, tithes
and rights of presentation to vicarages, which formerly belonged to
Great Connall priory, as we fmd from the Irish Inquisitions. He built
— or at least inhabited — the Castle of Dysert, the ruins of which are
yet to be traced, not far removed from the old chruxh of Dysert Enos.
The extent of those possessions is fully set fortli in a docmnent drawn
up in the time of King James I., and printed in the Inquisitions,' 5
■^ Meyler l'"itzTlfitry, Lord Justice of
Ireland, founded tliis hoa.su a.h. i^o:*.
See Jacob! Grace, l>Cilkennitnbis, " An-
nates liibernix'," edited by Kev. Richard
Butler, ]")[•). 20, 2 I.
s Sec Harris' "Ware," vol. 1., " I-Msliup.s
of Leighiin," p. 456.
° See Archdall's " ^.lonasticon Hiber-
nicum," p. 3JI.
"■0 According to the .Auditor-General's
accounts.
^1 This corresponds vvith the nine-
teenth year of the w'wi^n of Qii.'rn
Elizabeth, who ascended the En,'_;Iisli
throne on the \ji\\ November, 1558.
See Sir Harris Nicliolas' " Chronology
of History," p. ,^;;S.
1- His letters patent bear for date
October i6th, falling within this year.
1^ It is thus luarled. " ^Maryborough,
7th September, lOo; : Robert Piggott
of the Disarte in the Queen's County,
Esq., by force of letters pattents, from
our late soveraigne Queen Elizabeth,
bearing date at Dublin the i6lh of
October, in the nineteenth year of her
reign, is seizetl ia fee of the castle,
towne au'l lands of Desert, a/ia', Disert,
and of the hamlet of Kathbegg and
Rahinhoylley, parcell of said towne
and lands ; and also of the townes and
lands of Killteclogh, alias Kiltcale.
Ballykerrold, alias Ballycarroll, Cow-
larne, the hamlets of Uahintowghan,
Ballinreigh, and Ivdlipettecisk, Mollen-
cknawar alias IMullinnelcnaw, the hamlet
of Kilcromen, the towne aiid lands ol
CLirncknep.irke, alias Carr\-ne]")arke, tlu-
hamlet of CloneJamjihe, the towne and
lands of Coolkcy, alias Cawlechreigh, and
the hamlet of Keilnebrone, the town and
lands of Dirry, alias Rainasj)oke, alias
Rahinaspickure, and the hamlet n{
Ballymoyne, the town and lands of
Rahinepeske, alias Raliiniskdngh-
mnllegan, and Ballyclaj'-der, the ndvow-
son, Ac., of the vickaradgt-s of Kilteale
and I 'is'.rtenes, nil wl;ich the said
Roberte Pigott lioldeth from His
Majesty liyvirtute of the letters pattentes
before mentioned, and b}"- the yearlie
rent of /y iis. 6d., and four horscn>.en,
and other services in s;iid letters ex-
pressed, and also by knighte's service.
PARISH OF KILTEAL.
271
from which it has been extracted. '4 Kiltele, or Kilteal, 'also written
Kilteale, in the barony of Maryborough, had four townlands ; and,
it was an impropriation, in 1640. Then it was possessed by Sir Robert
Pigot, Knight, wlio was the jiatron. At that tnne, this vicarage was
worth ;^I5 per annum, vicarial was worth ^Tio ; in 1657, 3-11 the foregoing
was valued only at £3.^5 Inside and outside the olcl min's remains are
traces of plaster ; so that, probably about three hundred years ago, the
church had been used for services, and perhaps even at a later period.
A range of hills, on the northern border of Leix territory, swells out like
The said lands are ineared and boiunied
as foUowc'lh ill the original : — -The
said Roberto, by indenture bearing date
the 2d May 1005, liathe, together with
his feotlees, demised unto Thomas .Mien
all his and their castles, ho\ssc.^, &c.,
seituate liein^ and being within the
villages of Carrichneparke, Kiltealagh,
Ballecarrold, Cawlarane, and Koiigliin,
lor 61 years- — John Wesley, late prior
ol the priory of Connall in tlie County
Kildare, [ j of fee, in right
of said priory, of the rertory of Disvrt-
enes, and of all chur.jh'.s, tithes, ccc.
th"reto belonging (wiiich said rectorj'
extendeth into two thirde partes of
all the tietlns and altcrages issuing out
of the several townes and lands of
Disert, Gra [ ] Rahineduff,
the old mille, Ballinegorbane, Rahinen-
euske, Laughtieoge, Loughdruddnie,
Miinnegnave, and Coolekreo.gh), and of
the jiresentacion of a \-iccar to ilic
church of Disertcnes aforesaid ; the
rectory of Kilteal (which said rectorie
extendeth itself into the two third
partes of all the tiethes and alterages
issuing out of the several towns and
villages of Kilteale, Carrickneparke,
Ballicarroll, Coolarne, Kilmartire, Kil-
patrick, Killmorry, and Ballymadocke),
and also of the presentocion of a vickar
10 the church of Kilteale ; the rectory
of [ ] v.hich said rectory ex-
tendeth into tlv two third partes of
[ ], ami of the presentacion of
a vickar, &c., as above ; the rectorie of
Noughwall, (ilias Stradbally, together
with all churches, ^c, to the said
rectorie belonginge, and of the iiresenta-
cion of a vickar in and to the church of
[ ] to which vicare belongcth
the other thinl parte of all the tithes
aforesaid ; and also of the rectory of
Gallen, alias Disert-Gallen, together
with all clinrches to the said rectory
b'longing which said rectory extendeth
into the two partes of all the tithes, &c.,
issuinge out of the severall townes of
Ballanekilly, Kilcronan, Kilmashane,
Ralishe, Clogheoge, Killrush, Ballahan-
carr, Castlemoat, Grage, .-\thanacrosse,
Graghnahone, Gragnasmutten. ?kIo\'arde,
Knoghorocroughan, Doghill, Bouley-
begg, l.eascocannan, Boulanabane, and
Bullanageragh), together with all tiie
other hamlets to the same belonging ;
and also oi the presentacion of a vickar
to the churcli of Gallen a/ias Disert-
Gallen aforesaid, to which vickar be-
longeth the other third parte of all
the tiethes aforesaid ; and ther belongeth
to the rectory of Gallen aforesaid 5
great ackers of land, where of the
vickar hath a third parte ; the rectory of
Aghatobret, together with all churches,
chappells, &c., to the same belonging,
and of the presentacion of a vicl'care
to the church of Aghatobret, to whome
belongeth the third part of all the tiethes
of the said parsonage ; the rectory of
Clonekine, together with all clnirches,
chapells, &c., to the same belonging,
and also the presentacion of a vickare
to the church of Clonkine, to whome
bc-longeth the third parte of all the
tiethes of the said parsonage ; the
rectory of Ballycullane, together v.ith
all churches, chapells, &c., to the same
belonging, and also the presentacion of a
vickar to the church of Balliciillane, to
whom belongeth the third parte of
the tiethes of the said parsonage ;
the rectory of Kilcolmanbane, together
witli all ciinrclies, chapells, &c., to the
same belonging, and also the presenta-
cion of a vickar to the church of Kil-
colmanbane aforesaid, to whome be-
longeth the third parte of all the tietlies
of the said parsonage ; all which
severall rectories, above written, were
appropriate to the prior and convent
of the said priory of Coniiall." See
" Inquisitionum Cancellaria; Hiberni,-e
Repertorium," vol. i., Lagenia, printed
A.D. MDCCC., xxvi.
^* We have lengthened out the con-
tractions, but blanks occur, where the
deed became undecipherable. Most of
the townland denominations are clearly
traceable on the spot, yet not always on
the Townland Maps of the Irish Ordnance
Survey. The compilers of these seem
never to have thought, that the local
landlords' rent-rolls might have more
fully and accurately furnished those
272 HISTORY OF THE QUEEN S COUNTY.
vast billows against the sky, as seen from the cemetery. Rising over a
hill, called Slieve Bawn, and near Kilteal, may be found remarkably high
entrenchments, with concentric fosses and dykes, now overgrown with
hawthorns and briars. Those entrenchments are thought to have been
erected by Colonels Hewson and Reynolds, when they besieged Dunamase
in 1650.16 The trenches are fully 8 ft. below the upper part of
the ditches. The situation of Kilteal ruin is a very charming one,
on the slope of a hill, and near the highway. It is well walled in and
fenced, while the graveyard rises high over the adjacent fields and road.
Dunamase frowns proudly near. Hills surmount it, towards the east
and north. Beside the old ruin and grave yard was built the former
glebe-house, now the property of a farmer. At no great distance, a
modern Protestant church had been erected, to replace that of Dysart
Enos, and on a commanding knoll, about the year 1S50. Great festoons
of ivy hang around the remaining walls of the more ancient church
at Kilteal. The east gable is totally obliterated. Large elder trees
and thorns grow within and without the ruin. Venerable hawthorns
are spread over or around the cemetery, which is a very old i)kice of
interment ; although, only some comp)ai\itively modern headstones
are now to be seen, within its enclosure.
The old denomination of Kilmartyr,i7 yet familiarly pronounced
by, and well known to the people, has been obliterated frQin tlie " Ordnance
Survey Maps of the Queen's County." It seems there to have been sunk
under the e.xtensive bounds of Ballymaddock townland. What is still more
extraordinary, the foundations and basement cellar of the old castle of
Kilmartyr are yet to be seen in the middle of an open field ; but no
mark to indicate their site can be traced on the map. Yet this castle
and its denomination, in conne.xion with a townland, have place in our
historic rolls. At an early period, it was a dependency on Dunamase.
When made oi-er to the Cosbys, a certain John Johnson became their
tenant of the lands for a term of 21 years, by a deed dated 2nd of June,
1614. Yet, two years later, one Thomas Warde seems to have obtained
the tenancy of Kilmartyr for a term of thirty-one years, 'S commencing
after the expiration of the former deed. Again, we find si.xty acres
of the lands of Kilmartyr and Ballymaddock, assigned by Alexander
Cosby, through a deed, bearing date the 2nd of June, 1636, and drawn
in favour of Francis Willoughby, of St. Dominick's Abbey, of Francis
Slingsbv of Kilmore, and of his son and heir Francis, as also of William
Dodwell, of tlie Grange. An ancient village site near the wood adjoining
the Rock of Dunamase ^9 is still traceable.-o
existing known names, and with their pertorium,"vol. i., Lacjenia. Com. llegine
proper admeasurements, which the • Temp. EUz. Reg. Marebroughe, 17th
officials have so carelessly suppressetl. August, 1596; Temp. Car. i Keg.,
15 According to the Inquisition, taki.n 15 Mar. 1631 ; and again, in an undated
at Maryborough, on the 13th of October, Inqui'^ition, apparently taken about
1657. See Sir Charles Coote's " General April, 1646.
View of the Agriculture and Manu- ^"^ 15y a deed bearing date 2nd of
factures of the Queen's County," chaj). December, 1616. This Thomas Warde.
i., sect. 3, pp. 10, II. or some representative of his family,
' If* See "Irish Penny Magazine," vol. appears to have paid the rent of Kill-
i.. No. 3, p. 18. martyr, to a Richard Cosl)y, who lived
1^ In the Inquisitions it is called in the year 1646.
Killmarten or Kilmarter. See " In- ^'■^ The derivation of Diinmascor or
quisitionnm Cancellaria; Hibernian Re- Dunamase in the Queen's County is
PARISH OF KILTEAL.
-73
Tiie townland of Kilmurry,2i situated in the parish of KiUcal and
barony of Stradbally, contains an ancient cluuch in ruins, and witliin
a small grave-3'ard, now disused for interments, although traces of majiy
^iravcs and headstones are to be seen. The old church measured y) ft.
0 in. in length, and 17 ft. 6 in. in breadth, on the mterior. The gable
walls were over 3 ft. in tliickness, but the side walls were not more than
J ft. 10 in. The north side wall is much dilapidated, but at one part of it
are tlK' traces of a doorway, and it seems splayed internally. On the
south side wall appears a mined window. A sort of alcove in one
of the side walls may be seen, and it is near the eastern gable. From
the name of the church we suppose it had been dedicated to the Blessed
Virgin Mary. This old church lies southwards on the road-side, leadmg
from Killone to Stradbally, and it is in a ])icturesque situation.
'i'lic townland of Ballymaddock is situated within the parish of
Kihcal, and in the barony of Stradbally. The surface of tliis townland
1^ gently undulating — the soil is of good quality — and the scenery,
immediately surrounding the neighbourhood, has a pleasing and
i'ieluresque character. The antiquarian remains of j-iallvmaddock
.ire its castle and adjoining ruins. These are placed in rather a low
•^ituation, but at the head of a pretty valley, which winds along m a
i.orth-castern direction. Those ruins consist of two distinct ancient
buildings, erected at different periods, yet, situated in a position quite
t onti-uous to each other. One of those buildings is locally denominated
the ■"monastery;" although it bears no external traces of having
ir(n designed for ecclesiastical purposes, nor docs the writer know of
M\v historical reference to warrant such designation. The end wall
Miil\- remains, with a part of the side wall, which is perforated by a
Mil. til window. The other portions have been removed ; and they were
nrnljably employed in the erection of a barn, which occupies the space
fx'tween the " monastery," and the gable wall of the old mansion.--
The walls of the " monastery " are of great thickness. The gable end
appears to have been breasted on the interior with a massive pile of
masonry, which must have served the purposes of a chimney ; although,
at present, it is in so ruinous a condition, that the use for which it had
lx.'cn intended cannot be very accurately conjectured. The great pro-
bability is, that the " monastery," as locally denominated by the
jM-a.santry, was only a portion of an ancient castle or mansion. A few
^mall perforations for windows, which yet remain, would serve to confirm
this impression, as in st3de tliey are altogether unlike openings to be
found in old ecclesiastical ruins. Human remains have been turned
up frequently from the earth near these buildings.
The house called Cahernacapol's on the Ordnance Survej' Map,
is now popularly known in the neighbourhood as " Squire Weaver's
House." This name it acquired from having been held by a former
tenant. Richard Cosby, by a deed bearing date the 15th of June, in
the fourteenth year of James L's. reign, let the lands of Ballymaddock
noticed in Euc;ene O'Curry's Catalogue shown on the " Orchiance Survey Town
of MSS, in R.I. A. p. 1,41, See also land Maps for the fjueen's County"
!l..'l-es & Smith's MSS., at p. 484. Sliect 14.
-"' It i> even noted on the "Ordnance -- It is designated " the house o(
Survey Townland ]\Iaps for the Queen's Cahernacapol," " {in runts), on the
Coiuity," Slieet 13. "Ordnance Survey Townland Maps lor
■' It contains 467.7. ^r. -jp., antl it is the Queen's County," Sheet 14.
274 HISTORY OF THE QUEEN S COUNTY.
to one John Allen for a term of twenty \ears.-3 This tenant must
have held from about a.d. 1617. Tlie old castle now standing there
seems to have lieen built about thnt ]U'riod. In the N-ear 1691, John
Weaver Es(|., lived in Ballymaddock, and he was an active partisan
of Kirig William III. during the Irish wars with James II. 24 Squire
Wea\er — formerly a chstinguished member of the Irish House of
Commons 25 — is now forgotten by persons long residing in the surrounding
country. We have some particulars recorded, however regarding
Cahernacapol in connexion with Ballymaddock. Owing to reverses
of fortune, the O'Dempseys, who had been iormerly the Lords of Glen-
malire, were reduced to indigence. Nevertheless, some members of
tins family clung to their home, and resided in the Castle of Lea, in
which the famous O'Neill is said to have lodged a.d. 1645. About
the commencement of the eighteenth centur\-, one of the O'Demps^ys
was distinguished among the people, having been called Cahir-na-Coppail,
or Charles the horse-stealer, from his many dejMcdations committed
on that species of animals. This desperado, associated with others was
watched closely by the Government. It is stated, that a posse comitatus
was organized under the sheriff to apprehend the leader and his gang.
These were beset, at last, in a wood near jMonasterevan ; but it was
found impracticable, for some time, to force the pass. Then a stratagem
was conceived it is said, and the trunk of a large trqig was cut down ;
it was painted and mounted in the shape of a cannon, and placed at
the entrance of the Rapparees' Lass. This so much deceived and in-
timidated them that all surrendered at discretion, except Captain
O'Dempsey, who made his escape. He then, it is said, took up a resi-
dence in the Castle of Ballymaddock. In this castle he was secreted, and
after some time he died. -^'
There is another traditional account, referring to Cnher-na-capol,
or Charles the horsc-stealcr, in connexion with the Castle of Ballymaddock.
An intelligent farmer, Mr. Patrick Moore, who rented a considerable
portion of Ballymaddock lands, and who died at an advanced age, in
the year 1839, gave the following statement of his acts to the wTiter : In
the time of Colier-na-capol, a gentleman named Fitzgerald — probably
one of the Morctt family of that name — was tenant of the lands, and
a resident in Ballymaddock Castle. He was an imcle to the outlaw,
Charles O'Dempsey, who was frequently obliged to take refuge in the
Castle. There, or in some out-ofhces attached, this notorious bandit
was obliged to conceal himself from the oflicers of justice. It was stated,
as well as the writer can now recollect, that Fitzgerald possessed such
power and influence with certain officers of the law, that these were
believed to have connived sometimes at Cahir's escape, even when
fully aware of the exact place in which he was to be found.27
23 Sec the " Roll of Inquisitions of the ^r. ^^,^. O'Byrne's "History of the
Irish Court of Chancery," dated the 15th Quern's County," chap, xxi., pp. 61, 62.
of March, 1631. 'La<^enia, Vol. I. -'' The ancestors of Air. Patrich Moore
Queen's County. had lived in the neighbourliood of Bally-
*" -* See Waller Harris' " History of maddoch for generations before his own
the Life and Reign of William III." time ; and the farmer alluded to was
Appendix, Nos. LVIL, LVIII., pp. accustomed to state that he was a lineal
Ixxi., Ixxii. descendant of the O'lMoore's, the Chief-
■■'^ He took an active part in its tains of Dunamase. Besides a fund of
proceedings. classical and traditionary hnowledge
iitif^ ,'
-•■^%;,
^Vi?sp^4^C6> "^
-,. -^^€^,
KILMURRAV CIRIRCH.
Sec lu-c 27;,.
F^^^f ''"la
Ji ft, t- , r^
V..1. 1.
CAHIR=NA = C()J^PK[.'S HOUSi:. |/w ,. /.. o/..
Sec pa
PARISH OF KILTEAL. 273
Before the castle finally went to ruin, it was tenanted l)y a Mr. Michael
Dolan, about the be.cjinning of the last century. Having become quite
ruinous, the old building was in part pulled down, and the materials
were used in the construction of a dwelling-house, within the courtyard
or bawn of the lornier castle. A gable, and a portion of the side wall,
are now the only remains of what the country people call " Squire
Weaver's House." The walls are of great thickness ; and from joist-
holes in the interior, the castk; appears to have only consisted of two
storeys. In the interior may be seen one of the old open chinmeys,
nmning up the middle of the gable wall, until it terminates in a niinous
and threatening i:)ile of three distinct sqiuue tlues, angularly joining
each other. This gable ap]M\nrs on the outside to rest on a very insecure
foimdation — the loamy earth having been thence removed for manure,
within the memory of the writer. Portions of the gable ha\'e given
\\a\' on the in.terior, a considerable jxirt ha\'ing fallen during the sevcrv'
winter storm of 1852.-''^ Hence, it had \k'v\i e\)hsidered advisable to pull
down the overhanging portion ol the ruins to a more secure level ; but
this attem]~>t, when made, had been attended with much danger to
a man employed for the purpose. As this gable encloses out-ofhces,
in part, and rises immediately over a passage or gate, leading to the
field rejMX'sented in the foreground of a sketch ja'ocured, it was feared
that injury to life or property might occur, by its suddenly and un-
expectedly gi\-ing way. Plowevcr, the dungcr tri l)e incurred by its
demolition almost ec}ually counterbalances that to be apprehended
from its casual fall. In some of the courses of masonry may be seen a
sort of \-ellov/ clay, which had been used for cement, although an ex-
cellent lirne-mortar for the most part j.n'edo^ninates throughout the
building. The remains of extern square towers, of no great altitude,
are yet to be seen, on the angles of what constituti d a courtyard of
quadrangular shape. This bawn ex ended in front of the entrance
cloor to the old mansion. \\\ills yet standing in a parallel direction
with the gables of the old house, communicated between the latter
and the extern towers. On the outer angb's of both these towers,
iiKiy yet be seen chinmeys, characteristic of tlie style which prevails
in the standing gable. These towers are n(»w used as farm offices ;
ranges of houses extending in a line Ijetween them. Without, tlie inner
court appears to have been a larger quadrangular bawn, which must
have been used for the out-olhces pertaining to the castle. Tlie walls
which enclosed this bawn have not entirely disappeared ; and even
yet remain in a well-preserved state, on one side of the quadrangle.
There appears to have been only one large gateway/ entrance to this
bawn, which was towards the east, and nearly opposite the front of
the old mansion. As it is remarked, regarding all tracts of land in the
immediate neighbourhood of old castles, the held behind that mansion
far surpasses all others in the townland for richness and fertility of
soil. This is accounted for, because it is supposed that cattle were
which he possessed, this senior was a in the matter of pointing the walls
correct and learned Irish scholar and with mortar, and under-]iinning the
historian. foundation with solid mason work,
-8 It is to be regretted, that some shoultl suliice to preserve the gable
effort would not be made, to secure for many years to come. The gable in
this portion of the ruins of Bally- question forms the boundary between
.maddock Castle. A very trifling outlay, the farms of nei-hboiiring tenants.
276 HISTORY OF THE OUEEN'S COUXTY.
frequently congrci;atecl there to be fed, milked, or perhaps placed
under more secure j^rotection from the raids of robbers.
]\Ir. Patrick JMoore, already mentioned, informed the writer, many
years since, that a sort of road or avenue formerly wound through the
glen, in a north-eastern direction. This road led towai'ds Stradbally,
which town is about two miles distant from the Castle of J>ally-
maddock. The avenue was thickly planted with ancient yew-trees.
These no longer remain, excepting a pair of yew-trees growing within
the enclosure of the coiu"tyard, now the sole representatives of that
sombre forest, which surrounded or opened before the old mansion.
Other particulars of curious interest were dcrix'ed from tradition,
which my informant took grt^at pleasure in communicating. Thesr*
have now escaped m^^ memory altogether, or have left such faint re-
collections behind, as to prevent mv hazarding statements, ^^•ith any
great pretensions to accuracy. The late Dr. John O' Donovan informed
the writer, that Ballymaddock nnist be anglicized into " the town or
townsland of Maddock." This name is now usuallv written JMaddocks,
or Maddox ; and some representatives of the family are yet found in
various parts of the Queen's County. Hence, we may suppose, that
this townland was held by possessors of this name, under the O'IMoorc'S
of Leix, whose Castle of Dunamase was only a mile and a-half distant.
The histor}/ of Ballymaddock is consequently involved in all the changes
of fortune that befel the various Chiefs or occupants of Leix territory.
both of Irish and English origin, imtil its lands became vested in the
Cosbys, who yet hold possession under their original grant. Not far
from Ballymaddock Castle, a line old rath may \et be seen, and in a
direction leading to tlie gate, -9 by which the held is entered from the
road. In this place, also, springing corn or grass is noticed in summer
to have assumed a tinge of deeper verdure and of higher growth than
in other parts of this same field. Human remains, in great quantity,
have been discovered there ; and manv think the place must have
furnislied a site for some battle, not known in historic records. Again,
in a held adiouiing the rath, a sort of elevation, having some disjointed
stones on tlie summit, is to be seen ; and around the cone, in a
very regular circle, the grass always partakes of a similar dark
colour, about the montlis of June and July. This is thought to
have been a former place of interment, and the upper surface somewhat
resembles a dilapidated cairn.
On the townland of Carrigeen, north of the road, leading from Strad-
bally to the Great Heath, and within a wood planted about the beginniu';
of the last century, the country people point out an object, which they
have been accustomed to call a Druid's Altar. It lies on the south
sitle of Killone Hills, sheltered under a nearly semicircular sweep of
rock, near a little ravine. It rests one edge partly on a ledge of rock ;
while its other edges are supported by three or four large upright blocks
of limestone. Of this material, too, the covering flag is composed.
On top, it has an irregular lozenge-sha})e, and it measures diagonally
8 ft. 9 ins. in length, while the extreme diagonal breadth is 7 ft. 4 ins.
2^ Locally called " the bone gate," and burned in one of the midsninnu-r
bccanse a large pile of human bones bonfires.
was placed there, about seventy or eighty ^" See Lewis' " To])ii-r<iphical Die-
years ago, until they \vi_Te removed, tionary of Lelaml," vol. ii., p. 211.
PARISH OF KYLE OR CLONFERT MOLUA. 277
»
In thickness it varies from S inches only to 17 inclics. It slopes at
an angle of about 20 degrees.
Before the late Irish Clnirch Disestablishment Act, Kilteal was a
vicarage, forming part of the union of Dysart Enos, in the diocese of
I.eighlin, and the rectory was impropriate in Lord Carew. The tithes
amounted to /176 3s. gfd. ; and of this sum /117 9s. 2 Id. was payable to
the impropriator, with remainder to the vicar.30 Tlie vicarial tithe com-
position was £^S 14s. 7M., and the glebe was valued at £10 los. per
annum. This parish was part of the benelice of Tecolme.si The
patronage was in the bisliop,--
CHAPTER XXXV.— Parish of Kyle or Clonfert jMolua.
The parish of Kyle.i in the Barony of Clandonagh, is situated the
most westerly in the Queen's County, and adjoining the County of
Tipperary. This parish belongs to the Diocese of Killaloe,- and it
is traversed by the old coach-road from Dul)lin to Limerick. 3 There
is a considerable proportion of mountain land within it. The soil is
described as good arable and pasture in various i:)laces, while waste
and bog lands, with woods, are represented on the higher slopes of the
Slieve Bloom ^lountains. This parisli has been noticed by Patrick
O'Kceffe in the Irish Survey Records. 4
On the southern declivity of the Slieve Bloom ^fountains, and com-
manding a vast range of prospect, St. Lua 5 or Molua ^ obtained a site
for his once celebrated monastery from Berach, the ruler over Leix,
in the sixth century. There, within the townland and parish of Kyle,
is the old cemetery, well filled with graves, and some old fragments of
an ancient church, not far removed from the celebrated Ballaghmore, or
" great road," which was the much-frequented highway between Leinster
and Munster. Formerly Kyle Parish was within the bounds of Upper
Ossory. From the loundcr, the place was anciently known as Clonfert
Molua. The highest ground is in the north-western border, and it
has an altitude of over 1,000 feet. The drainage is effected (.-astwards,
by head-streams of the River Nore.7 This monastery of Clonfert
INIulloe has l-iei'ii incorrectly located in the present King's County, by
Archdall.s .Alolua is called Lughaidh llac hUi-Oiche, or :\Lic Ui Oche,
^1 See " Parliamentary Gazetteer of Pro£;ress of the Ordnance Survey in
Ireland," vol. ii., 11. 541. 183S," vol. i. Letter of Patrick O'lveeife
-- See " The National Gazetteer," dated I\Iountrath, December ist, 1S3S,
vol. ii., p. 460. pp. 116 to iJi.
1 It is represented on the " Ordnance = The Life of this saint is published
Survey Townland ^Nlaps for the Queen's in FIemin,<:;'s " Collectanea Sacra," in
County," Sheets 15, 21. '" 55 Chapters or paia-raphs, pp. 368 to
- Being the only parish in the Queen's 379.
County so circumstanced, it is "simply " Molua is compounded of the de-
necessary to give the ecclesiastical votional prefix h:o or " my," and
particulars immc-diately connected with Lua put for Lughaidh, which is pro-
its history, and therefore the Bishops of nounced Loo-ec.
that Diocese have not been enumerated. ^ See " Parliamentary Gazetteer of
3 See " The National Gazetteer," Ireland," vol. ii., p. 583.
vol. ii., p. 516. 8 See " jNIonaslicon Hibernicum," p.
* See " Letters containing Informa- 370.
tion relative to the Antiquities of the " Edited by \Villiam M. Ilennessy,
Queen's County collected during the see pp. 50, ci.
278 HISTORY OF THE QUEEM's COUNTY.
ft
and Lua's birtli is recordixl at a.d. 554, in ihc " CIii"(^nicnm Scotorum." 9
However, tlie life of this saint, as published b}' Fleming-, states, that
his father was named Cartach, connnonly called Cochc, while his family
l:)elonqcd to the Hy-Fidhc^ente, and his mother was named Sochla,
[rum (.'ssory. He is called the son of Carthar of ^dnnslcr, by ArchckdL"^
and he was educated at Bangor i^Ionastery, in the County of Down,
under St. Comgall. After some time, he re;>olved on the erection of a
monastic establishment at Clonfert ]\Iolua. Acconling to a rumour,
which reached St. Bernard," that holy patron founded no less than
one hundred monasteries ; but, Rev. Dr. Lanigan is of opinion, that
all of these were not immediately founded by himself, and that probably
several may ha\'e been the work of disciples belonging to his order or
institution. I-
While the Annals of the Four ]\Iasters i3 place the death of St. ]\Iolua
at A.D. 605 ; the Annals of Ulster have the date, at a.d. 608 ; M and the
" Chronicum Scotorum " ^5 has a.d. Gog for his " quies." The festival
of St. Molua was on the 4th of August, in all our calendars. His death
is entered by Archdall, at the year 622 ; and, at this period, also, that
writer names St. Lactan, a disciple, as having charge of his monastery. '^
The immediate successor of the founder was indeed this Abbot Lactan, i"
whose feast has been assigned to the 19th of jMarch. Under him appears
to have lived a very holy and celebrated monk, called Laidgen,^or Laidcend
son to Baith Bandaigh,iS ^yho died on the 12th of January, a.d. 660.19
At this same year, in recording his demise, The Annals of Ulster
(-all him sapiens, or " the wis'j." 20 He ^vas buried in Clonfert Molua,
and there, too, Ins memory was held in great veneration, while all our
ancient JMartvrologies and Kalendars-i record his feast, at the day
assigned for Ins de])arture from this world.-- Even the Scottish Kalendar
of iJrummond commemorates him. at the same da\', observing, that
on it the holv confessor Ladchend ascended to the stars. -3 The Annals
of the Four Masters record the death of Saergal Ua Dungnae, Abbot
ol Cluain-fearta-jlolua, at a.d. 776.-4 The true year, however, was
7.S1. The Al)bot Momagh, or iMaenach, died a.d. 790,-^ 792,2*^ or
795 as variouslv stated.
The Abbot Finghm or Fingene 27 a son to Laidgene, or Laidhgin,
1" See " Monasticoii Ilibernicnm," p. /F.ngns, who comnieniorates him at the
379. I2tli of Januarj'.
'1 See his "Vita S. IMalachirr," can. i^ Sec Coljjan's "Acta Sanctorum
vi., p. 670. See Benedictine edition, Hibernirc," xii., Januarii, Vita S. l.aitl-
vol, i. Kditio Parisus, 1719, fol. y^'nni, pp. 57, 5S, and n. 5.
'2 See " Kcclesiastical ]-Iistory of Tre- -'^ See Ur. O'Conor'.s " Kerum Hiber-
laud," vol. ii., chap, xii., .sect, vii., nicarum Scriptores," Tonins iv.,
p. 2o(3. "Annales Ultonicnses."
*2 See Dr. O'Donovan's edition, voL ^i Such as tliose of TaHaeh, of Cashel,
i., pp. 330, 331. of IMaiaanns O'Gornian, and of Doncqal.
^* See Dr. O'Conor's " Rcrum Hibcr- -- See an account of him in Rev.
nicarum Scriptores." Tomiis iv. John O'TIanlon's " Lives of tlie Irish
^^ Edited by WiUiam M. llennessy, Saints," vol. i., January xii., art i.
see pp. 72, 73. -■" Sec Bisliop Forljcs' " Kalendars of
1^ See Arclidall's " Monasticon Hiber- the Scottish Saints," p. 2.
nicum," p. 370. -* See Dr. O'Donovan's edition, voL
'■'This anjH-ars from the Vita S. i-, pp- 380,381.
Lnaui, See Ci)l;.;;in's " Acta Sanctorum -"Sec Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of
Hiliernia'," xii, Januarii ] )e S. Laid- the Four IMastcrs," vol. i., 7)p. 396, 397.
genno Confessore, ex diversis.n. 3, p. 58. 2" See Archdall's " IMonasticon Hiber-
^s According to tlie " Feilire " of St. nicum," p. 379.
V ^
'>fj*!!
/i^,
;S"f i4^ ; . k^'.>*'l4:.'t f i.-'l:, ^-.'Ju&L^i^r *..V... ."• .'/-:i-^.i.„-. kt^iAsl-W' L.
SHI: 01- SI". A\()IAJA'S AMBI-Y.
[ Acccnl nil I'. J
J'Li.^U^il'jii^^'«^:f'^"^ w_Jl!a^
riw/os i>v\
ST. A\()LLA'S (iUA\I:.
I Al rii;lu ;iiil;1i.-s III llic nlliL-r l;i;im s. and liclwcm lln- lnuddcf-,
(111 wliicli the iiK-ii'.s lKinil> arc placeil. )
'\\\ face pa^:'
PARISH OF KYLE OR CLONFtKT .MULUA. 279
(lied in 850.-^2 Col,qan also has allusion to him.-'' Tlicre was an /Tincjus,
who composed a poem in praise of his more celebrated namesake, who
lived as Abbot over Clonenaqh and at Dysert Enos. That panegyrist of
Saint /Eengus the Culdee may have been, as Colgan conjectin'es, an
Abbot, known as iEngns, surnamed the Wise.^'^ He belonged to Clonfert-
Molua, not very far removed from Clonenagh Monastery, and he died
m 85831 or 859, according to our Irish annals. 32 He was held in very
high estimation. 33 Neassan, the son of Ceallach, Abbot of Cluain-
fearta-j\Iolua, died in the year S7S.34 In the year 925,3.s died Mael-
pcadair, Abbot of Cluain-fearta-Molua. It is probable the monastic
establishment there began to decline, in tl:e succeeding years of the
tenth century, and that the Northmen wars efiecled its extinction,
IS not altogether improbable.
That Inquisition, taken at Maryborough in the time of Cromwell,
Imds that Kilclonfert, also called Molow, and K\'lc, in Upper Ossory,
hath ten townlands, and an impropriate rectory worth /^4 5s. per annum.
The Lord Protector is termed the Patron.36 Tlie present parish of
Kyle is called Kilballyduff in Sir William Petty's Down Survey ; and,
at Ballaglunore and Ballintlea a ruined castlj is tliere noted. At
Clonerossc or Kilballyduff, townland proper, a ca.-jtie and a church out
of rep;ur, and at Castletown a ruined castle, are noted. 37
Various popular traditions yet survive respecting -kSt. ^lolua, and
his connexion with Kyle. A curious upright rock, called St. Molua's
stone by the country people, is to be seen in a field near the cemetery.
St. Molua's Trough is still shown ; it seems to have be^-n some sort of an
ancient font. According to Archdall,3S Clonfert T.Iulloe was in the
ancient diocese of Roscrea, al^terwards united to Killaloe, and it l)ecame
a parish church, or rectory, as a part of that benelice.39 With Koscrea
this jjarish was valued at £466, the patronage being in the bishop.4<J
At present, in the Catholic parochial arrangement, it is united to the
parisli of Roscrea, having a chapel to accommodate that special district.4i
The parirDh of Kyle contained 6,225 statute acres, as applotted under
the Tithe Act, and it was valued at £2,802 per annum. Here are the
remains of an encampment.-i^
-' See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of ^3 See Archdall's " Monasticon Hiber-
lliL- Four IMasters," vol. i., pp. 482, 4S3. nicum," p. 370.
-■^ See Arclulall's " Monasticon Hiber- ^4 gee Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of
nicum," p. 379. the Four Masters," vol. i., pp. 526,
-'■^ See " Acta Sanctorum Hibernia\" 527.
V. Februarii. De B. Fingeno Abbate, ^s gee 2^/1:., vol. ii., pp. 614, 615.
u. I, p. 2^8. ^^ See Sir Charles Coote's " General
^° See "'Acta Sanctorum Hibernian," View of the Agriculture and l\Ianu-
Martii xi., De S. .F.n'^nssio Hap;iographo, factures of the Queen's County," chap.
Episcopo, et Confessore, n. 5, p. 582. ' i., sect. 3, p. o.
^1 See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the ^7 Iq adilition to the foregoing de-
Four Masters," vol. i., pp. 402. 493. nominations are, Ballintaggutts, Raliin,
32 See Rev. Dr. Lanij^an's " Kcclesias- Death, and ^Munymore, on Valiancy's
tical History of Ireland," vol. iii., chap. Maps, copied from the originals in Pari:,,
XX., § X., n. 98, pp. 248, 249. In a vol. ii.. No. 6;^, Irish Record Oflice,
succeeding note. Dr. Lanigan remarks : Dublin.
'• Considering the Irish practice of ^s gee " IMonasticon Hebernicum,"
promoting eminent abbots to the Epis- p. 379.
copacy, we need not look for any other ^9 Xn 1S46. the tithe composition was
See for him than one of the above- ;{iii i6s. icd.
mentioned monasteries." Ibid. n. 99, *° See " Tlie National Gazetteer,"
p. 249. vol. ii., p. 516.
iSo HISTORY OF THE OUEEN's COUNTY.
CHAPTER XXXVL— Parish of Lea.
This parish is situated in the north-eastern part of the barony of Portna-
liinch, and, with the single exception of Spire Hill ^ and Windmill Hill^
its surface is .c^enerally level, a considerable portion being on the flats
extending south and west from the River Barrow. It contahis 18,488a.
and 3ip.; of these 28a. 2r. yp. are comprised within the measurement
of that river.3 The parish is popularly divided into Upper Lea and
Lower Lea : the former division has 16 townlands, and the latter only
11.4 Lea parish contains the greater part of the town of Portarlingtoii,
lying south of the River Barrow, and also tlie village of Ballybrittas.
Besides these, the principal hamlets within it are Jamestown, OKI
Ballybrittas, Old Lea, Kilbride, and Bracklan — the latter was once a
separate village, but now it is a suburb of Portarlington. This is
the chief and most populous town in the parish. There are antique
church ruins at Ballyaddan, Tierhogher and Old Lea. 5 Tillage land
throughout the area is alternated with meadow, pasture lands and bogs ;
good limestone is also to be found there for building purposes. This
parish has been described by John O'Donovan in the Ordnance Survey
Records.''
The original site of Portarlington town was uninvitiivg in appearance,
it being a liat plain or callow on either bank of the River Barrow. The
town itself now lies, partly in the parish of Cloneyhurk,7 barony of Upper
Phillipstown, and King's County ; s and partly in the parish of Lea,9
barony of Portnahinch, in the Queen's County. 10 The former and
present name of that townland in the King's County, on which the town
was built, is Kilmalogue ; whde the Queen's County townland de-
nomination is Cooltaderra or Cooletederry. In Sir William Petty's
Survey this name is to be found, while it is yet retained in the quit rent
and county books. Although prevailingly flat and featureless, the
environs of Portarlington have been brought into comparative beauty
through cultivation, and the erection of many pleasant villas within
ornamental lavv-ns and pleasure grounds.
The town itself was very regularly laid out ; the streets " are fairly
wide and kept very clean ; while comfortable houses and well-dressed
^1 See " Parliamentary Gazetteer of * See " Letters containinc; Infornui-
Ireland," vol. ii., p. 5S3. tion relative to the Antitjuities of the
*- See Lewis' " Topographical Die- Queen's County collected during the
tionary of Ireland," vol. ii., p. 241. Progress of the Ordnance Survey in
1 It is so called from a spire budt on 183S," vol. i. I^^etter dated Stradbally,
its summit, by a former Earl of Portar- Decenibcr 9th, 1S38, pp. 240 to 255.
lington. The hill is wooded, and inter- ■ '^ This section comprises 167 acres,
sectcd with pleasant walks. ^ This portion is shown on tlie
- Tliis is near Ballybrittas. " Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for
3 Shown on the " Ordnance Survey the King's Qninty," Sheet 34.
Townland Maps lor the Queen's County," ^ This section of the town contains
Sheets 4, j;, S, 9, 14. 288 acres.
' See " 'I'he Parliamentary Gazetteer 1° This portion is shown on tlie
of Ireland," vol. ii.. p. 595. " Ordnance Si!r\-ey Townland Maps lor
^ For a very detailed tlescription see the Queen's County," Sheets 4, 5.
"The Parish of Lea, "by Rev. John Jones, ^^ The principal street on the Queen's
in W'm. Sli:v\v ^lason's " Statistical -County side commenced at the canal-
Account of Ireland," vol. i., pp. 515 bridge on the road to Dublin, and
to 54S. it extends 1,000 \-artls north-westward,
PARISH OF LEA.
2S1
inhabitants are its conspicuous features. The market house *is a com-
modious scructure, and in its upper storv are several larcje rooms used
for ([uarter sessions and assembhes. The Protestant Church, serving
as a chai)cl-of-ease for the parish church, and called the English Church,
is to the cast of the market-square, and it is an elegant structure.
Another called the French church was built for the colony of Huguenot
refugees who sought an as\ hun here ; and in the beginning of the last
century, as the French langoiage was much spoken in the town, so services
were conducted in it. A branch of the Grand Canal from Monasterevan
to Mountmellick passes the town, and the Refreshment Station of the
Great Southern and Western Railway is about one mile distant. From
this point too starts a branch railway to Tullamore. Several useful
local institutions were there established, although few considerable
manufactures took root. A tanyard, tobacco, soap and candle works
were formerly conducted. However, there were handsome shops for
merchandise, and many tradesmen obtained a good livelihood, owing
to employment obtained from the resident gentry. The weekly market
was held on Wednesday and Saturday ; the fairs are held on January 6th,
March ist, Easter J).Ionday, May 22nd, July 4th, September ist, October
ijth and November 2jrd.i^ The town has branch and savings' banks,
a hotel, disj)ensary within the Mountmellick Poor Law Union ; courts
of Quarter Session for the Queen's County and Coiu'ts of Petty Session
for the King's and Queen's Counties are held there, as formerly manorial
Courts leet ^3 and baron. ^4
The old Castle of Tea, situated on the south bank of the Barrow,
stands lonely in ruins, and conspicuous for a coisiderable distance along
520 nurth-nortli-wcslwai'il, ami 120
northward. Over ihe first of these
strotclics, it is but partially or strag-
glinL;ly built upon ; and over tlie last
it contracts and is comparatively narrow
in width. A street of i8o yards in
length runs ^veslv,ard from the point
where the main street makes its second
deflection ; a sciuare ot about jo or
'60 will's on L-a. li .-5. lie, with a church on
the east, te unuales the ni;iiii .street ;
a tine r^f i jo '/ards in length goes oh
eastward from the middle of the eastern
side of the scjuare ; a very short street
goes northward from the middle of the
north side of the square towards the
bridge over the }?arro\v on the road to
Rathangan ; while a street 160 yards in
length branches westward from the
miiklle of the west side c;f the scpiare to
a liritlge over the Barrov.' on the road
to jNIountmellick. A street 920 yards in
length, antl extending west by so'ath,
from the bridge over the Barrow and
along the roatl to IMountmellick con-
stitutes very nearly the King's County
section of this town. See " Parha-
mentary Gazetteer of Ireland," vol. iii.,
p. 81.
1- See " ihe National Gazetteer,"
vol. iii., p. 2},6.
13 An aucit'ut Saxfin institution for the
trial of offences and the abatement of
nuisances, also for the preservation of
the peace and the prevention of crime,
characteristic of the English Ilunelred
to which the Irish Barony closely
corresponded, and usually held by a
bailiil or steward of the Sheriff. It also
pro;ierly belonged to a borough v.-hich
ranked as a Hundred. See further in
" A Dictionary of Science, Literature,
aiul Art," by ^^^ T. Ih-ande ami Kev.
George W. Cox, vol. ii., i>[\ 341,
34-^
1* Courts Baron are so called either
from the baron or Lord who ]~)resided
over them, or from the frecnien, -who were
calletl l)arons in ancient times. Their
origin seem to ha\'e ariheu fronr notions
of jiatriarchal jurisdiction. In the
lirst instance the}' were attaclied to every
manor, and were held by its lord, or
his steward, assisted by his freeholders,
to decide on the ])urely civil con-
troversies that arose l^etween them.
A court baron also belonged to every
Hundred or Conutx-, au<l in many
cases to particular franchises or lord-
ships, which might include se\'eral
manors. As the cause in dispute might
be removed to a liigher tribunal, courts
manor have long fallen into disuse.
See ibid., vol. i., p. ^~6
•282 HISTORY OF THE OUEEN'S COUNTY.
ft
the river. It is said to have been one of the ihst Anglo-Norman settle-
ments in Ireland. Here the castle is stated to have hcen built, about
the year 1260/5 by the Anglo-Norman family of De Vesci, to protect
the Pale on the north and north-west ; but, its origin seems referable
to a still earlier date. Others have it, that Vvilliara, Earl Marshall,
was the founder, or William de Braosa, to whom it came by marriage
with one of the earl's daughters. 16 As tliis fortress figures in the general
history of the Queen's (7nuntv Wars, we reserve to th.at account, further
particulars of '"its vicissitudes. In the Irish Union Magazine, i"
a very interesting Memoir of Leix Castle, 1^ with an elegant lit]iogra])hic
engraving, 19 will be found. It consisted of a quadrangular building,
having three storeys. Formerly it was Hanked by round bastions,
of wliicli only one tower now remains. In the rere was an inner ballium,
in which it is said there were a tennis-court and a tilt-yard. The outer
entrance is still in good ]:)reservation, and a g:ite there was defended
I)y a portcullis. The north side was suhiciently protected by the River
Barrow, which supplied water to the wide ditch extending round the
other sides. The mount on which the castle stood had tlius Ikvu formed
into an artificial island. Wherefore, it was called Portnahincli or tlie
Castle of the Island, a name subsequently applied to the whole l)aroiiy.
The castle jirecinct was surrounded by a lawn, within wliich cattle
were secured for the niglit. ,
In the years 1302-1307, the parish of Leya or Lea stood assessed
for support'of the Crusade War at the value of 10 marks, with a titheing
of I mark ; while its vicarage was rated at 30s., but because the latter
did not exceed the limit, no return was expected. 20 Lea, m the barony
of Bortnahinch, had tv/cnty-three townlands in 1640, and it was an
iin},u-opna[i(ui. Lord Clianrcllor Loftus was the ])atron ; and it was
worth /15 per annum, at tliat time. In i()57 it was valued for /lo,
and it'lKul twenty acres of glelie.^i In former times the Bass ot
l^ellatridc." over the Kiver Barrow, was in this locality. The tract
of country in which it was situated formerly belon-ed to the i^jwei'lul
family of the O'Dempsies. In the sixteenth \x'ar of tlie reign of J ames 1.,
A.i). 1618, Terence O'Dempsey was found to lie in possession of tliese
tracts. Subsequently, he was created Viscount Clanmalire, after that
considerable territory which was held by his cuiceslors. Afterwards,
this territory descended to Louis Lord Clanmalire, who held the entail
of that estate as tenant. However, this same Louis, with his brothers,
Barnaby and, Henry Dempsie, espoused tlie cause of the Irish Con-
federation in the year 1641. Those lands he held were afterwards
declared forfeited ; while they were parcelled out among the aflventurrrs
and soldiers in the time of Oliver Cromwell. Nevertheles,-, this settle-
ment was not destined to la^t for .a long time.
IS Acct>i\!ing to a Avritcr in tlif 1302-1 307," edited by H. S. Swcetnum,
" Dublin iVnny Journal." B.A., T.C.D., and Gustavus Inx-dcrick
1" See Lewis' " Topographical ])ic- Handctick, l^.lv.O., p. 247.
tionary of Ireland," vol. ii., p. 247. " See Sir Charles Coote's " General
17 Published in Dublin, 1S45, 8vo. View of the x\,L;riculture and ^^;\lanu-
18 See vol. i., No. i., pp. 29 to 3S. factures of the Queen's County," chai).
19 As a frontispiece. i., sect. 3, p. lu.
20 See the " Calendar of Documents - it is now indicated, by the up[ier
relatin;:; to Ireland, ]M-esfrvcd in Her bridge, which connects the northern and
Majesty's Public Record Ollice, London, southern suction^, uf I'(jriarlini,lon town.
LEA CHURCH.
... ,„..-t"'^'- •••;■■ -r
'"'i^-'j^y' '■ ' ■ ■ '•
^^^l!i^'%M5^;iit^.-;^.
'fii:'i^ji'.i.V^A.':';t1.-itvt a J-.'.- ' J .. la
/•//.•/OS /[v\ L1:A CASri.H l-ROAl THE l:AST. | A', r'. A'. (>'/..
'^"'- '■ To face |.a-c jSj
PARISH OF LEA. 283
On the restoration of Ch:frlcs II., and in tlic f(V,!rtconlh year of his
reign, by letters patent, dated November 5th, this large estate was
granted to Sir Henry Bennett, afterwards created Lord Arlington.
Snbsequently the trustees of forfeited estates awarded it to him. Lord
Clanmalire urged a claim of innocence, which was not allowed. The
Act of Explanation, passed in the seventeenth and eighteenth of Charles
II. , states,=3 that Louis Viscount Clanm;dire's title had been that of
tenant entail, it being doubtful from former proceedings tliat liis title
had not become extinct, and that Lord Aldington, having claimj'd ihe
title in fee, by virtue of his patent 5th of November, fourteenth of Charles
II. ; to obviate that doubt, a section was inserted in the Act of Parliament,
which enalded Lord Arlingiron to enter uj^on and ]:)0ssess the lands of
Louis Lord Clanmalire, as fully as if the esrate tail had been spent or
expired. Who can doubt Lord Arlington.'s agency in framing and
confirming such a clause, as also in the provision to remunerate and
remove from the lands the adventurers and soldiers lor the purpose of
giving him absolute possession ? He obtained a second patent of those
lands, which bears for date 27th of July, in the i8th >'ear of King Charles
II.'s reign. Power was given by the last section in the Act of Explana-
tion for the Lord Lieutenant and the Council of Ireland, to direct in the
passing of all letters patent, that new and proper names, more suitable
to the English tongue, might be inserted, with an alius ^ior all towns,
lands,, and places throughout the Island. It was decreed that such new
names hereafter should be the only ones used. Wlierefore, m accordance
with ihis decree, Cooltetoodera received the name ol Portarlington,
in honoiu- of Lord Arlington, after whose title it was called. The prefix
of Port was suggested by the circumstances of its Inca'ity having a small
quav or landing place on the River Barrow. Through his intluence,
likewise, the town, which he then founded and intended to colonize
with English settlers, was erected into a Parliamentary Borough.
A charter which bears dafe the 3rd dav of August, 1667, and in the
19th year of Charles II.'s reign, is enrolled in Chancery, as the deed of
incorporation.24 After reciting the adjudication of the forfeited lands,
formerly belonging to Lewis Lord Clanmalire, to Henry, Lord Aiiingfon,
and to his hens for ever, as also the patent of the .i7th day of July, in
the eighteenth year of the reign of King Charles II., if states, that Lord
Arlington had expressed a desire that those lands should be planted
with English. It then ordains, that certain of tln^se lands in the King's
County should be erected into a manor, to be called the m;inor of Charles-
town. It provides, tluit the lands of Cooltetodera (7/ms Portarlington,
and other lands therein named, which were all in the Ijarony of Port-
nahinch and Queen's County, as also that the Clonrorlve, s/ias the
Portarlinglon woods and other lands in the barony of Philipstown
and King's County, should be one entne manor, to be called and
known by the designation of the Manor of Portarlington. According to
the charter, the Corporation consisted of a sovereign, ^5 two portreeves
or bailiffs, twelve burgesses, and an unlimited number of freemen,-''-'
while the Corporation was described as " The Sovereign, Bailiffs, and
-2 See chap, ii., sect. jS. -'"' Or so many as the Inirgcsses may
-■* See " Patent liolls oi Chancery," chose to nominaie.
iqth of Charles II., p. S, m. 5. d. -■' In consequence of the Revocation
'" The sovereign was elected annually of the Edict of Nantes,
from among the burgesses -^ See " A Most Interesting ni'^,to:ical
2S4 HISTORY OF THE QUEEN'S COUNTY.
Burgesses, of tb.e Borongli and Town of Portarlington." According
to their charter, the limits of Portarhngton Borough " extend into the
King's and Queen's Counties in every dnection, from the Pass over tliu
River Barrow, commonly called Bellatride, near Cooltederry alias
Portarlington, 100 acres of Irish plantation measure in the whole."
Notwithstanding, they actually reached to a much greater extent, north-
wards, to the common's drain near Derravilla, eastwards, to Old Bracklaud
Bridge, southwards, to the mcaring of Drug-hill, on the River Ivirrow,
and westwards, to Butlersford.
Together with English families, there lilcev/ise settled a colony of
I'rench and German immigrants. On the reduction of the army, a very
considerable number of French Prijtcstant emigrants, banished from
their own country,^? formed a colony in a glade situated in the centre
of a hazel-nut wood, on the present bend of the River 1-jarrow at Portar-
lington.-S This v/as about one mde from the Castle of Lea. The town
of Portarlington soon began to flourish inider the fostering care of its
new proprietor, but chiefly owing to the energy, skill, and industry' of
its foreign element. As a borough, at first, it sent two members to the
Irish Parliament. This it continued to do, from the year 1692 to the
epoch of the Union.
The Earl of Arlington, however, disposed of his interest in the town
to Sir Patrick Trant. He took sides with King Jajnes II. during the
\\'ars in Irekuad. Upon his attainder, his possessions became forfeited
to the Crown, and King William bestowed them on his brave companion
in arms. General Rouvigney, whom he created Earl of Galway. However,
the estates were taken from him, afterwards, by the English Act of
Resumption. His tenants had acquired leases, which were secured to
them by an Act of Parliament passed in 1702. They were also made
])artakers of the rights and privileges of the b()rough.-9 King William
III. brought to it a colony of French Calvinists from Holland. The
estate of Lord Arlington thus reverted to Rouvigney, Earl of Galway ;
he greatly improve l1 ilie town. He endowed two free schools for its use —
one for boys, the other for girls. A classical and a French School were
established ; while lands had l^een leased at low rents, which produced
for the French Church £90 per annum, for the Classic school £40, and for
the French school /12 per annum. The first master of the French school,
iMons. Le Fevre, was a \\-orthy gentleman of great ability, a friend and
correspondent of Rt. Rev. Dr. Henry ^Maude, Protestant Bishop of
Meath, the original founder and promoter of the Charter Schools. Le
Fevre's son bore a commission in the army. It is said Laurence Sterne,
in his " Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy," has drawn his character
of that Lieutenant Le Fevre, so well known to most readers of classical
English. 30 Rouvigney also erected there two Protestant Churches
or chapels of case — one for the French and one for the English residents,
while these were called respectively St. Paul and St. Michael. The
former was intended for the use of the French and Flemish, who were
Calvinists, and it was known as the French church, the sermons and
services being conducted in that language. St. Michael's served for
Account of the Castle of Lea, Queen's ^^ Sec " A most Interesting Plistorical
County," p. 17. Account of the Castle of Lea iu the
"^ See Lewis' " Topographical Die- Queen's County," pp. 20, 21.
tionary of Ireland." vol. ii., p. 464. ^1 See ibid., p. 18.
PARISH OF LEA. 285
worship, and to accommodate the Enghsh Protestants, and therefore
it was known as the Ent^lish chnrch. The estate here of the Earl ot
Ailington was sold to the London Hollow Sword-blade Company.
From them it passed to Ephraims Dawson, Esq., ancestor to the noble
hunily of Dawson,3i a lineal descendant of Marmadiike D'Ossone, a
Xorman nobleman, who came to Enqland, in the train of William the
Conqueror. A number of res]:»ectable gentlemen, finding the facilities
of education for their sons and daughters to be ver}^ desirable, located
themselves in and immediately near tlie town, where 3'et a considerable
group of handsome villa residences may be seen. The social attractions
of the place were additional inducements for residence, es])ecially during
the eighteenth century,32 when balls and assemblies were fashionable,
notwithstanding the rigid observances of the old Huguenot families
and many of their descendants. In 1770, Henry Dawson, Esq., member
of Parliament for Portarlington, was created Baron Dawson, of Dawson-
court, in the Queen's County, and in 1776, he was advanced to the
dignity of Viscount Carlow. The privileges of parliamentary representa-
tion for a long period were then allowed to vest in this family. In the
year 17S5, John, the eldest son of Henry Viscount Carlow, \vas created
Ivirl of Portarlington. From 1800, the Borough of Portarlin'-;ton was
})artially disfranchised, and it returned only one member to the British
Parliament. During the eighteenth century, the public classical schools
of Portarlington had acqmred a great reputation for ex'cellency — sons
and daughters of noblemen v/itli several distinguished persons received
their education in them. Among others, the renowned Arthur. Duke
of Wellington, and his brother the Marqiiis of Wellesley, were scholars
in their youthful days. The Bonnivaux had established an academy
for youths and boys at Portarlington. Along with Calvinistic doctrines,
they had introduced a spirit of military discipline in their classes, which
made it resemljle the Ecole Polytechnique of modern times, more than
the Sorbonne or Port Royal. Besides the foregoing sons of the Earl
of Mornington, young Baile^^ who died ]\Iarquis of Anglesea, received
there his rudiments of education.
Anotlier pupil of the Portarlington school was the Right Hon. J.
Wilson Croker, LL.D., E.R.S.33 He was connected as a critical writer
with the Quarterly Review ; while, in return for his ill-natured and
partisan critiques, he was freciuently obliged to bear the lash of Lady
Morgan's finished and satirical touches in her Irish novels. u A lady
of talents and culture, named Madame Terson, presided over a flourishing
Huguenot seminary for young ladies and girls in this town ; but, her
methods and success in teaching induced her to take a fine mansion
known as Clontarf House, near Dul>lin, and thither she removed, as
it had many superior advantages both for her pupils and herself, affording
sea-air and bathing on the brink of Dublin Bay. While here, the celebrated
and witty Sydney Owenson, afterwards better known by her married
name of Lady Morgan, 35 became one of her pupils, together with her
^2 Tliis is set fortli in Sir Joiiph 21 s^.e William John Fitzpatrick's
Barrinj^ton's " Personal Sketches and " Friends, Foes, and Adventures of
Kecolkctions of his own Times." Lady IMorgan," pp. 99 et scq.
-^ See an account of him and of his ^^ Leigh Hunt celebrates her in a
writings in AlUcd Webb's atlmirable charming poem, which made the subject
" Compendium of Irish Biography," of his lines declare, that she could not
p. 104. decide whether it was a portrait or a
286 HISTORY OF Till-: queen's county.
sistei- Olivia, afterwards Lady Clarke. The daughters of tlie Ri.^lil Hon.
Henry Grattan were her schoolfellows. Among the pupil, ai^o were
many girls of rank and some of distinguislicd talent. The character
of Madame Terson and her boarding school are drawn for us, by hei
accomplished and patriotic pupil, 36 who became so remarkable fur hci
prohciency in studies, and whose works arc so well known in English
literature.
In the beginning of the last century. Parliament au^umented the
income of the French church by £50 per annum. The English Chapel
of ease in Portarlmgton became ruinous, and it was rebuflt in 1832 ;
while the Board of First Fruits increasi^l the stipend of the English
Church minister to £100 per annum. Formerly the right of election for the
Borough iMembers vested in the Corporation ; but by the Reform Act,
2nd of William IV., il was extended to Hut /lo householders. As the
ancient bounds of the borough had been very imperfectly defined, and
as they had little relation to the eleciive franchise, a new boundary
was drawn around the town. The more recent limits of the Parliamentary
Borough extended beyond those of the old, in some points ; yet, on the
whole, they are more circumscribed. They included, hovvevcr, the
entire town as built upon, with a small surrounding district, 37 comprising
an area of 933 statute acres. Thus weie ihe boundaries dclined ; hToiii
the bridge over the Grand Canal on the r\Ionasterevan-road^ along the
canal to the bridge over the same on the ]\Iaryborough-road ; thence 111
a straight line to the point called Butler's Ford, at which a small stream
crosses the Mountmellick-road ; thence m a straight Ime to a small
bridge on the Cloniquin-road, which is distant about 500 yards (measured
along the Cloniquin-road) to the west of the ])oint at "which the same
leaves the Mountmellick-road; thence in a straight line to a point on
the Bog-road, which is distant 500 yards (measured along the Bog-road),
to the west of the point at which the same leaves the Rathangan-road ;
thence eastward, along the Bog-road to the ]:ioint at which the same
joins the Rathangan-road; thence, southward, along the Rathangan-
road to the bridge on the same over the Iviver Barrow ; thence along
the River Barrow to the point thereof, which would be cut by a straight
Ime to be drawn thereto due north from the bridge over the canal on
the Monastrevan-road ; thence in a straight line to the said bridge on
the Monastrevan-road.3S The soveieign was the returning officer, and
he was also a justice of the peace witliin the precincts of the borough.
The lord of the manor had power to appoint a seneschal, and to hold
courts leet and baron, for the recovery of debts not exceeding 40s. There
caricature, but that there was a national She'll put you your fashions, your
idiosyncracy about it, which she could latest new air,
not deny : — ■ And then talk so frankly, she'll make
" And dear Lady Morgan, see, see when you all stare."
she comes, 3« See " Lady Morgan's Memoirs :
With her pulses all beating for freedom Autobiography, Diaries, and Correspon-
like drums, dence," edited by W. Hepworth Dixon,
So Irish ; so modish, so uiixtish, so vol. i., chap. viii. and xii.
wild ; ^" " See The Parliamentary Gazetteer
So committing herself as she talks — of Ireland," vol. iii., p. 82.
like a child, ^'^ See Lewis' " Topograpliical Die-
So trim, yet so easy — polite, yet high- tionary of Ireland," vol. ii., appendix,
hearted, p. 7t,6.
That truth and she, try all she can, ^u Qf these, the families chiefly eni-
won't be parted; ployed in agriculture were 15; in
\s
■^^
'^*
'^"^^.y.
I>ALLYA1H)AN CHURCH \■\H)^\ Ilil: SOUTH.
4-
pjjw**^'
f*;*'.".??
/'//,./, >/m I HALI.VADDAN CHLiUCH I ROM IIH- KASI. ' / . /('/
PARISH OF LEA. 287
was also a court of record, for the determination of all pleas* or actions,
wherein the debt or dama-^e does not exceed the value of -/'200. All
decrees or executions issuing from these courts were directed against
the goods of the defendant, as no prison was within tli'.- manor. An
appeal from the decision of these courts was referred to tlie jud^^e of
assize on the circuit. These courts were held in a suite of rooms, in the
upper part of the marketdiouse, in the centre of a large square. Here
also petty sessions are held every Wednesday, and are usually well
attended by the local magistrates. The number of electors registered
up to June, 1S36, was 202 ; of these. 189 were /lo householders, and
T3 resident freemen or burgesses.
Portarlington was the head of a union or district, comprising besides
the town itself Kmo and Killynard, with parts of the parishes of Clone-
horke and Coolljaiii^gher, also the parish of Lea, with the exception of
the townland of luchcoolley. Catholic churches are in the town of
Portarlington, as also at Emo and Killinard. Of late years, a fine church
has been erected at Emo, now formed into a separate Catliolic jiarish.
In 1831, the whole population of Portarlington, living in the Iving's
and Queen's Coimtics, was 3,091 ; of these 1,004 persons were in the
Iving's County, \\hile the Queen's County section comprised 1,997
[persons. In the 3 ear 1841, Portarlington had a population of 3,106,
living in 516 houses. In the King's County division there were 1,112
persons. 39 living in 195 houses. In the Queen's County sftction, there
were 1,994 persons,4o living in 321 houses. 4i Of late \'ears, Portarling-
ton has been extinguished, with many other towns havmg a limited
l)opulation, in reference to the matter of Parliamentary representation.
At present, by the last Reform and Redistribution Bill, its area has been
thrown into the Parliamentary Division of Leix, comprising nearly
the eastern half of the Queen's County.
Within the Parish of Lea, near the former Viv. John George Adair's
beautiful mansion of Bellegrove, modelled on an anti(]ue Roman fashion,
and within a graveyard enclosure, is the old church of Ballyaddan,
The remains measure 14 yards in length on the outside, by 7 yards in
widtli. The east gable is perfect, with a very narrow lancet window
and pointed top, splayed on the inside. The west gable is half destroyed,
one small portion of a dressed doorwa}' remains below. This church is
sei'niingly of the thirteenth or fourteenth century ; but, it may be still
older, for we trace not its histor}^ to the date of construction. In the
north side wall, there is a narrow Gothic window, poiitted and mullioned ;
it is still perfect. The south wall is destroyed at top, and it is consequently
lower; here, too, was a sinular window, but the upper part has been
rtMnoved. The graves of " the rude forefathers of the village " are
chielly on the south side of the church, and this is almost an invariable
rule in all our Irish cemeteries. Malefactors and unbaptised infants
were usually buried on the north side. We may ask, was it as a conse-
quence of his malpractices, the site of the notorious Cahir na ("opaU
manufactures and trade 52 ; in other manufactures and trade 163 ; in otlier
luirsuits 154. Families chielly depend- pursuits 92. Families chielly depending,'
mg on property and professions 33 ; on property and professions 44 ; on the
iju the directing of labour 74; on their directing of labour 186; on their own
own manual labour 104; and on means manual labour 113; on means not
noi tspeciliedio. specified 18.
*" Of these, the families cliiefiy *i See " Parliamentary Gazetteer of
employed in agriculture were 102 ; in Ireland," vol. hi., p. 83.
2SS HISTORY OF THE OUKKN'S COl^NTY.
grave is here pointed oiu — at least it was to tlie writer — ^as lyinp beneath
a thick covert of hawthorn bushes, at one end of the old cliurch. and
Completely isolated from all the other graves ? No raised mound was
to be seen over it.4- It is said by some, however, that Cahir was buried
in the valley of Glendalough, in the County of Wicklow, where there
was a large stone cross called by 1 lie guides Nri ronal's grave; Vmi.
this is highly improbable. The other, and more likely place, assigned
for his interment is in Ballyaddan, where his tomljstone was shown in
a nook off the enclosure. -13
At a place called Tierhogar, are to be seen the remains of a church,
surrounded b}' a still-used graveyard. The church measures about
60 feet in length b}' 20 in breadth. The east gable, in which there is
a window, still remains ; also portions of the other walls. 44 The
O'Dempsies had a strong castle in this parish at Old Ball>-brittas, and
which was distinguished from the modern small village of Ballybrittas.
Also about two and a half miles from Portarlington are to be seen the
ruins of an old church within a graveyard at Clone^'horke ; the foimdations
are now almost the only portions remaining, and these measure about
40 ieet in length by 18 in width.4S The castle of the O'Donipseys is
in ruins, and to l^e seen not far apart. 16
The living of Lea was a vicarage, as also a scj^arate bcni'fice, in the
Diocese of Kildare, valued at ;^238,47 and in the patronage of the bishop ;
while the rector}' was appro})riate to the dean and chApter, the tithes
amounting to /S30 15s. 4^!. in 1837.48 Of this amount ^553 i6s. iid.
was pa^'ablc to the lessee of the dean and chapter, the remainder
leverting to the vicar. 4'.' In 1846, the vicarial tithe composition was
/J276 i8s. 5^-1., the glebe valued at £38 los. ; the gross income was
/315 8s. 5ild., and the nett being /271 lOs. 5d. Tlie rectorial tithes
were compounded for £553 tGs. iid., being api~>ropriatcd to the dean
and chapter of Kildare Catlirdral..^'^ The Protestant churcli. a small
and neat edifire, was built by subscription, and this was aided ]:)y a
loan of £350 from the Board of First Fruits, in the year 1810. Some thirty
\-ears later, tlie Ecclesiastical Commissioners granted £375 for its repair. 51
The church was erected on a conspicuous site, pretty central in the
])arish of Lea, and it was opened for religious purposes in November
i8oq. The glebe house — on a glebe of 25 acres — was built by a gift
ot £369, and by a loan of the same amount from the B^oard of First
^- While the writer was on the spot, a Bishopof Kildare, and William Devereux,
man named Lalor told him about a Vicar of Ferns.
curious old book, which was found by *° This church was formerly dedicated
one of his neip;hl)ours in a rabbit-hole ! to St. Columbanus.
It was said to have been given to a man *'' In the list of the General Assembly
in Louth. The writer was unable lo . of the Confederate Catholics in 1647,
ascertain, whether this was a printed the name of Barnaby Dempsey appears,
book or a manuscript. *'' See " The National Gazetteer," vol.
*^ See the "Irish Union Magazine," ii., p. 553.
vol. i., No. i., p. 37. This statement ^^ See " Parhamcntary Gazetteer of
we doubt, and on the spot could hnd Ireland," vol. ii., p. 595. 596.
no corroborative evidence to support it. *^ See Lewis' " Topographical Dic-
** In this church was formerly held a tionary of Ireland," vol. ii., p. 248.
Synod of the Province of Dublin on the ^° See " Parliamentary Gazetteer of
29th of July 1640, and it was presided Ireland," vol. ii., p. 596.
over by the Most Rev. Thomas Fleming, ^i See Lewis' " Topographical Die
Archbishop, assisted by David Ivothe, tionary of Ireland," vol. ii., p. 24S.
Biihop of Ossory, Roche Mac Geoghegan, "^^ See "A most intcrcsling Account
/I
•/
pi
1 lliUilOiiAk' CHURCH.
•5^'»w^'<W"■•': J
^.'^z :,^ ;.,-i.-'^"';=^^'-^:ti:i-K-,:^-'. ■ :■■ :- . ;;;—.. •^^^^^^• ■■^• -■:•5:^o*•i^:^vV«,•
///,/> /,, I CI-()M;YHURKIi CASI LU AND CHLIRCH. [/ur. A. oV.
PARISH OF MONKSORAXr.i:.
2.>t)
Fruits, in the yea.T 1829. The population ol Lea in 1831 was 7,920 ;
ol these 5,761 were in the rural districts. In the year 1834, the
]).Lrishioners of Lea numbered 1,561 Protestant Churchmen, 6 Protestant
Dissenters, and 6,263 Roman Catholics.S^ At present the Protestant
rector of Lea has a stipend of £336, per annum. 53
In 1841, the population of Lea parish was 7,787, and the houses
were 1,310 ; while of these 5,667 lived in the rural districts, and they
inhabited 965 houses. 54 The Grand Canal passes for three miles tlirough
this parish ; and, the River Barrow, at a comparatively trilling expense,
might be rendered navigable from Portarlington to Monas:re\'an,
while by a suitable system of drainage, much valuable soil might be
reclaimed along its banks. The parish is traversed by the old mail-
coach road from Dublin to Limerick. According to the Roman Catholic
arrangement, the v^'hole of Lea forms a part ot the union of Portarlington,
Emo, and Killeynard, where respectively there are churches. 55 There
are also some old forts in this parish ; severally, at Rath, Ballybrittas,
Garryvechum, Ralisk, and Windmill-hill. The History and Antiquities
ot the Queen's County, Barony of Portnahinch — containing the three
parishes of Lea, Coolbanagher and Ardoa — have been most exhaustively
and researchfully treated by Lord Walter Fitzgerald, and to his treatise
on the subject, the reader is referred for much fuller information than
has been compressed within this chapter. Moreover, jiaps of tlie
Barony are given, specially to illustrate the antiquarian remains and
their sites, with a chart Pedigree of the MacDonnells of Tinnakill, and
illustrations of their ancient castle. 56 To this has been appeiieled a
very complete history of the town of Portarlington. 57
CHAPTER XXXVIL— Parish of ^Ionksgraxge.
By a transposition of syllables, this parish has been written Grangemonic,
in some of our modern gazetteers. The present denomination of Grange,
or, as more generally called now Monksgrangc, in the barony of Bally-
adams, was ])laced in the parish of Killaban formerly. Monksgrrmge lies
to the north of Shrule, and along the Barrow River to the west. It
consists of only one townland, containing 863(7. 2/. 2p.,^ and it mostl\'
comprises arable lands, and they are very fertile. Its church is shown as
a large one on the Map of Leax and Oj:)haly, a short distance to tlie north
of where the River Douglas falls into the River Barrow. ^ It is calli'l
Graunge o managh or " I-'arm of the Monks " on that map, and its church
of the Castle of Lea, in tlie Queen's and Leii^hlin," vol. ii., pp. 308 to 319.
County," &c., p. iS. ' Emo and its dependencies he treats at
■^3 See "The Irish Church Directory pp. 144 to 1^3, ihid.
and Year Book for 1903," p. 114. For ^*See " Journal of the County Kildarc
Portarlington is separate entry of ;^2So, Archaeological Society," vol. iv.. No. 3,
with ;£55 entlowment. See ibid. p. 115. January, 1904, pp. iS4to2i5.
5* See "Parliamentary Gazetteer of s'^ See idi'd., pp.216 to 229, with pro
Ireland," vol. ii., p. 595. miseof a continuation.
^5 In the Catholic arrangement Por- ^ It is shown on the " Ordnance
tarlington and Emo are. at present Survey Townland Maps of the Queen's
distinct parishes; and the j\Iost Rev. County," sheets 26, 32.
Dr. Comerford has set forth more fully ^ See " Letters containing Informa-
an account of the former in his " CoUec- tion relative to the Antiquities of the
tion relating to the Dioceses of Kildare Queen's County, collected during the Pro-
U
2g0 HISTORY OF THE OUKFN'S COTNTY.
is shown surmounted bv a snuave tower.? Tl:ere, too, it is located, in the
ancient divisio;i oi I.ei::. which is ilonominated l^cran Chuuh.dond.
The Hartpoles were of an early Enj;lish familv and settli^d in this part
of the couTitry during the reign of Queen Elizabeth, when Sir Robert
Hartpole was appointed Constable of Carlow Castle and Governor of the
Queen's County. When Rory Oge O'Moore took Cai^tain Harrington
and Alexander Cosby prisoners in 1577 Roliert Hartpole planned
a surprise for their deliverance, which proved effective.4 In the ecclesias-
tical economy, we learn that Monksgrange was an impropriation, and
that it once belonged to the Abbey of Baltinglass. Grange, near Caterlogh
had in 1616 the same curate,Samuel Mosely 5 — he who attended Shrowle.6
The town of ?*Ionksgrange, a castle, and a rnill in repair, are noticed on
Sir Wilham Petty's Maps" The same may be seen on General Vallancey's
copy of his ^Map, relative to this district.
JBy an Inquisition taken at Maryborough in 1632, the possessions of
George Hartpole of ]\Ionlcsgrange, are enumerated m this quarter.
Besicles the town and lands of Le Grange of Killmagobbock, a/ias
Monksgrange, with the tithes of same, containing one castle, one water-
mill and 40 acres, he claimed the rectories of Killabban and Corclone,
and all the tithes belonging to them, together with the advowson and
right of presentation to'the vicarage of Killalxan aforesaid. He died
on the 24th of January, 1631, and then his son andJieir Robert, at the
age of twenty-five and married, succeeded. The remains of their old
castle arc incorporated with a modern dwelling-house. The ruinous
church of Grange, still to be seen, is near the castle. In 1640, IMonks-
grangc belonged to Robert Harpole, an English Papist. Then, it was
worth £^ ; and, in 1657, it w;is valued at £"5 per annum. There was no
church, and no minister there, at the latter period. The Commonwealth
enjoyed the prohts. It v>as estimated to be worth £15 per annum. Tli.i
Lord Protector was then the patron.7 The Hartpoles continued in
possession of Monksgrange and Shrule during the seventeenth and
eighteenth centuries. Towards the close of this latter, Robert, and
afterwards his son George, were the last surviving male descendants of
the name. George Hartpole was high sheriff for the Queen's County in
1794, and his romantic career is given with melancholy details by his
relative. Sir Jonah Barrington.s
In 18 ',1, the population was 241; and in 1S34, the Protestants
amounted to 15 only, while the Roman Catholics were 2.;2. There was
neither church, chapel, nor school, at that time within the parish.9 As
applotted under the Tithe Act, it comprised 841 statute acres, valued at
/490 per annum. It was a vicarage in the diocese of Leighhn, valued at
/20,io and as the gift of George Hartpole, Esq., in whom the rectory was
gress of the Ordnance Survey in 1838," eleven preachers, of which number nine
vol. ii. Letter of John O'Donovan elated were resident. The number of reading;
Carlow, December i-'tli, 1838, p. 44. ministers was twenty-three.
^ See " Journal of the Kilkenny and '' Sec Sir Charles Ccjote's " General
South-east of IreUuulArchx-ologicalSoci- View of the Agriculture and IManufac-
ety," vol. iv. New Series. Partii.,p. 345- tures of the Queen's County," chap, i.,
*'See John Ryan's "History and sect. 3, p. 11.
Antiquities of the County of Carlow," » In " Pers(jnal Sketches and Recol-
chap. XX., pp. 109, 1 10. lections of his own Times," under the
= See "Liber Regalis Visitationis." heading George Hartpole.
« Afterwards, it is remarked, that in '■> See " Parliamentary Gazetteer of
the diocese of Leighhn there were Ireland," vol. i., p. 286.
''f?" .^f
iilMirihUJ^jimff)
"'■**• ^«<Vi<£rt^ "•I***;
A\()NKS(ikAIN(ii: CnUUCH.
Sl-C pUL^C 290.
/^,
4^
il
'J>V -v^
/'//,. /,M /i I MOYAiNNA CHURCH AND (iUA\ [IVARD.
[AVr. /:'. C^A.
\ol.
JC p.t-i- 2<).
r.VRISlI OF MOYANXA.
2():
impropriate, in iSj;." At that time, the titlies ;iniountcd to ("53 7s. Sjd.,
of which £36 iSs. 5M. was pa^'ablc to the miprojiriator, and the remainder
to the vicar ; although there was neitlier churcli, glebe, nor glebe-house.
In 1845, the patrons were Messrs. Bowen and Leckey, as representatives
of the Bo\^'en family. The vicarial tithe composition and gross income
were /^i8 qs. 2'^d. ; nett, £17 los. ()|d. The incuml)cnt then held the
benefice of Fontstown, in the diocese of Dubhn.'- In 1841, there were
276 inhabitants, and 48 liouses, enumerated in the cubus. In the Roman
Catholic arrangement, this ]iaris]i lorms a 'part of the union of Aries and
Ballylinan.'3 In the taxation for the Crusades in i_]02-ij07, this latter
is called Bidylonan.i'i
CHAPTER XXXVIII.— The Parish of Moyaxxa.
The rural parish of ]Moyanna,i in the barony of Stradbally, lies about
2:f miles north-north east from the town of Stradbally ; and, it contains
a measured area of 6,824a. ir. 6/)., while of these, 15 ((. 18 p. are in
the River Barrow, which traces the eastern boundary of this parish. -
There seems to be no certain clue to the origin of this parochial desig-
nation ; 3 but, it is shown on the old Map of Leax and Ophaly4 as
Moyanna. The old church of this parish is on the townlcfnd of Moyanna,
and it is surrounded by an ancient cemetery, even yet much frequented.
Formerly, the latter had a circular hedge enclosure. On the old Map
of Leax and Ophaly, the whole of Moyanna parish, and that tract lying
l)etween the river at Dunrally and the river of Stradbally, are designated
Fughter Hir.5 It is noticed by Thomas O'Conor m the Ordnance Survey
Re cords. 'J
One of the oldest historic notices of the i:>lace in our Annals has
reference to Longphort-Rothlaibh, or the Fortress of Rothlaib, after-
wards called Dun-Rathlaigh, Anglice Dunrally. 7 There a deep trench
'° See " The National Gazetteer," vol.
ii., p. 8O7.
11 See Lewis's " Topographical Dic-
tionary of freland," vol. i., |'. 670.
'■- See " Parliamentary Gazetteer of
Ireland," vol. i., p. 2S6.
1^ Its 7«t';«o>-a;;(/a are ,L;ivcn by theMost
Rev. Bishop Comerforil, m his "Collec-
tions relatini; to the L^mcese of Kildare
and Leiyhlin," vol. hi., pp. 72 to
74-
^* The value of the benefice of the
chapel of Balylonan is set down at 40s.,
and the tenth at 4s. See " Calendar of
Documents relating to Ireland, pre-
served in Iter INIajesty's Public Record
Office, London, 1 302-1 307," edited by
n. S. Sweetman and Gustavus Frederick
Handcock, p. 24S.
1 The parish of Moyanna is shewn on
the " Ordnance Survey Townland Maps
for the Queen's County," Sheets 9, 14.
- See " Parliamentary Gazetteer of
Ireland," vol. ii., p. 813.
3 According to Thomas O'Conor, the
local pronunciation was Mwee-uaiiah,
interpreted with a query IUaj; eAnx)A,
i.e., the plain of Eanda.
' John O'Donovan has traced a map
of Leix \n its latter state of independence,
and Its bounds are there shown, so as
to be easily traceable on the modern
Ordnance Survey Maps for the <,)iieen's
County. This is to be found ap]^ended to
" Letters containing Inft)rination relative
to the Antiquities of the Queen's County,
collected during the Progre.is of the Ord-
nance Survey in 183S," vol. ii., p. 306.
^ In Irish written iKveceji cine, by
Thomas O'Conor.
" See " Letters containing Informa-
tion relative to the Antiquities of the
Queen's County, collected daring the Pro-
gress of the Ordnance Siir\-ey in 1838."
Vol. i. Letter of Thomas O'Conor, dated
Stradbally, December 6th, 1838.
''It lies close to the boundary, between
ancient Leix and Clanmalire. In the
time of Queen Elizabeth, it was sur-
rounded by woods on every side, north
and south of Derryvarragh River and on
the western borders of the River Barrow,
'92 '.IISTORV OF Till- OUEliX S COUNTY.
ft
iuiTOunds the steep circular sides of a lort, now artificially improved
md capable of being filled with water to a great depth, as being in com-
umnication with the Derryvarragh stream. On the 5lh of the September
Ides — 9th of that month — a.d. 860, Ciimedidh, son of Gaithin, lord of
Laighis, slew Conall Ultacli and Luirgnen there, with many others ; S but,
we know not Uie motives or circumstances for that action. In the later
times of Leix's chieftainry, the parish of Moyanna formed its north-
eastern angular division, having been bounded on the north by the
River Derryvarragh, which flows into the River Barrow : and, the latter
running through a flat tract of border country, which is frecpently over-
flowed by its waters in the winter season, forms the eastern boundary
there at present separating the Queen's Count}' from the County of
Kildare. Just at the angle, where both rivers unite, and considcralby
elevated above a surrounding swamp-ground, is the singularly curious
and historic moat of Diun\ally, which was a fortress of great strength in
the ninth century, and probably for many centuries previous. The
townland of Garrymaddock contained a castle or a large house, in the
sixteenth century ; 9 and, the old inhabitants used to point out the
spot where it formerly stood. ^o On the old Map of Leax and Ophaly,
the townland of Derrybrock, now at Vicarstown, is shown ; and, as we
may infer, it owed its denomination to the oak woods, which formerly
grew there. ,
When the O'Moores had been dispossessed from their old territories of
Leix, a Royal grant of Moyanna estate was made to the Cosbys of
Stradbally. In the Deanery of Omboy, the church of ^Moyanna had for
rector Thomas Berry, minister and preacher, with a residence, in 1616."
The value of the living was /15. The vicar was William Hilton, a reading
minister. The church and its chancel were in good repair, and furnished
with books. In 1657, Moyanna parish had nine townlands, and it was
worth £12 per annum. The patronage was then vested in Trinity College,
Dublin. 1- After the Right Hon. Henry Grattan had obtained his grant
of ^^50,000 from the Irish Parliament in 1782, advised by his trustee and
friend Sir John Tydd,i3 he purchased the estate of IMoyanna from Lord
Sydney Cosby. Although the place possessed few attractions of scenery,
yet, the new proprietor conceived the idea of building a countr}' house,
within the enclosure of the old Fort of Dunrally, and he laid out garden-
witli a road plashed through the woods '■- See Sir Charles Coote's " General
running near it, as shewn on the okl View of the Agriculture and Manufac-
Map of Eri Clannialh- f^iven in the tures of the Queen's County," chap, i.,
" llistory and Antii[uities of the Queen's sect. 3, p. 10.
County Jkirony of I'ortnahinch," by ^^ Tie li\-i:d near Maryborough, at
Lord Walter Fitzgerald in " Journal Laniberton, a beautiful retreat, which
of the County Kildare Archadogical he dearly loved. When death w^as fast
Society," Vol. iv., No. 3, p. 199. approaching, as the country people
8 Sec Dr. O' Donovan's " Ann;ds of there used to relate, the proprietor
the Four Masters, " vol. i., pp. 496, 497, requested his servant to wheel out his
and nn. (x. y.) ibid. invalid chair before the house, where he
'■> It is shown on the Map ot Leix and took a last view of the line woods and
Offaly. scenery around him. Then, feeling
1'^ Although Thomas O'Conor states exhausted, the tears rose to his eyes, as
the site should be marked on the he motioned the ser\-ant to bear him
Ordnance Survey Maps, yet, this is only home. Gazing once more at the house
conspicuous by its absence from the and demesne, he exclaimed in a faint
townland trace, voice, but full of emotion : " Oh !
11 According to " Lilier Regidis Visi- I-amberton, Lamberton, must I leave
tationis." you for ever ! "
i '.
^. ., -M- ^i i,*Vli.»«i»tf!e. «to.*i&aitf5»'4i*l*4i«-4w
DUNRALLY lORi.
I.>^^^r
jh^j^jmA^^ ij3r J^
7*^
I'/'ii'/i's /') j BridjiC erected by .kinies, son of Henry (iraltan, \A\'
over the Barrow.
(^In ibi.'d when ))liiiU"iL:r:i|ilK'(l. )
/■,. O /.
I PARISH OF MOY\N\A. 293
I *
I' plots around it to the very upper slopes of the fortress, and then he con-
I trived a circular walk on the elevated rampart. lie also laid out an
I artificially elevated avenue to the high road, over the banks of the River
I Inirrow, and he planted trees on either side, which have now attained a
[ \'enerable growth. The illustrious patriot and (ji';itor greatly loved
I retirement ; so that occasionally, he resorted to the hermitage he had here
I erected. The very oldest inhabitants are now of a later generation ;
I but, their fathers and grandfathers often related, how old Henry Grattan
|, used to take his daily meditative walks through the shrubber3^ and
f how he used to drop in frequently, to hold a friendly chat with his tenants
I in their homes. ^4 However, he pjreferred Tinnehinch, as being nearer
t to Dublin, for his family place of residence. ' 5
[ A very handsome bridge, near Dunralh', with a span of several arches
over the Kiver Barrctw, has been erected at considerable expense by
James Grattan, Esq., ^.I.P.,^'^ son to the Right Hon. Henry Grattan.
The road leading from Stradbally to jMonasterevan passes over it, from
the Queen's County into the Count\' of Kildare. In the beginning of
the last century, a toll-housei7 stood on the Queen's County side of the
Barrow, and on ISh. Grattan's estate ; but, that has k^iig since disa]-)peared,
and the approaches by this road are now quite unol^structed. The
surface of this parish is almost a dead level ; and abjiig the River Barrow,
as also along the River Derryvarragh, bounding it on the novtli, the low
banks are often submerged with the overflow of water, especially during
the winter months. As a consequence, the meadows there produced only
a coarse and less nutritious grass ; in other parts of this parish, the land
was more of an agricultural character, with a limestone subsoil, l)Ut, on
the v/hole, rather of an unproductive description. A branch ot the
Grand Canal jkisscs through the parish, ^^ leading from Athy to JMonas-
terevan, and over the River Derryvarragh through the Grattan Aqueduct.
This afforded great facilities for conveying Dublin manures to the place,
and it has much contril^uted, in the past, towards fertilising the soil.
The old church is in a very ruinous state. On the west gable, there is a
circular doorway of masonry. A window, the form of which not being
clearly visible, ^9 was covered with ivy, matted witliin and without.
In this sequestered graveyard, the Right. Hon. Henry Grattan desired
his remains to be interred, as it was on the estate he got from the Irish
peo])le in 17S2 ; and, on the \-ery day before his death, in London,
June 3rd, 1S20, when informed of the very general desire of distinguished
persons, that he should rest in Westminster Abbey, " Oh," said he,
■' that will not be thought of, I would rather have ]\Ioyanna." However,
it was ruled otherwise by his great political friends and opponents m
1* From some ot these oldest tenants, illustiious master, Avhose halnts and
the writer often had a description and usages lie had many opportunities for
anecdotes, relating to that celebrated witnessing, during lils days ol retire-
man, ment, at the old fort of Duurally,
i-* See "Memoirs of the Life ;\nd \vhither he often went while preparing
Times of the Right Hon. Plenry for tlie more slirruig scenes of his
Grattan," by his son, IdenryGrattan, Esq., e\-entful public hie.
M.P., vol. iii., chap. xi.,pp. 331, 332. 1^ The Kight Plon. Henry Grattan
1'^ See Lewis's " Topographic:d Die- gave the lantl to tlie company without
tionary of Ireland," vol. ii., p. 401. compensation, as he knew the construc-
^"^ This was formerly kept by an old tion of the canal should improve his
man named Keogh, a servant of the newly-purchased estate.
Kight Hon. Henry Grattan, and he was ^'■' When visited by Thomas O'Conor,
loud of relating conversatidus with b.is in 1S3S.
2g4 HISTORY OF THE QUEEN'S COUNTY.
•
Parliament, that he should be buried next to Fox in Westminster Abbey. ^^
A simple inscription of his name on the flag-stone over his grave is the
only memorial there erected ; and it is a matter of interest to state,
that quite near has been interred the illustrious English statesman,
William Ewart Gladstone, whose life has been so admirably written by
the Rt. Hon. John Moiiey.-i
In later years, the cemetery of ]\Io>-anna had been enlarged by ]\Irs.
Bellew, the "granddaughter of "^ Right Hon. Henry Grattan, and it has
been enclosed with a wall, while a portion of it has been set ajxirt for a
iamily place of interment. Her residence is at Vicarstown House. This
jiarish of Moyanna is a rectory and vicarage, in the diocese of Leighlin ;
the rectory was impropriate in the Provost and Fellows of Trinity College,
Dublin, while the vicarage formed part of the union of Stradbally, valued
together at /igo.-- The tithes amouiUcd in 1S37 to /417 Ss. 4d. ; of
which two-thirds were payable to the imin'opriators, and the remainder
to the vicar. Kylemahoe, with its disused graveyard and site of an old
church, is represented within the townland of Vicarstown, not far from
the Grand Canal Bridge, and a little distance in a field oh the road
leading from Vicarslown to Emo and Mountmellick. The place is in the
parish ot Aloyanna,-^^ as also Rath House, the handsome residence of
Edmund Uease, Esep, D.L. In the Roman Catholic division. Moyanna
belongs to the union of Stradbally ; -4 and a handsoi^ie cha])el has l>cen
erected, within the last seventy years, by the Very Rev. Cornelius Uowling,
P.P., at Vicarstown, near the Grand Canal, for the accomodation of those
liviii'g in tliat district. -^^ In 1.S46, the vicarial tithes were compounded for
£138'" gs. -jd., and the rectorial for ^245. In 1831, the population
amounted to 1,659; "^ ^834, the Roman Catholics were 1,470, and
the Protestants 125 : in 1841, the inhalMtants numbered 1,708, while
the houses were 273.-''.
CHAPTER XXXIX.— P.XRisH of Offeklane.
The large parish called 01ierlane,i— comprising an extensive ancient
district— in the western ijart of the Queen's County, was formerly witliin
the barony of Upjjcr Ossory, now denominated U])per\voods. Ihis
parish, sometimes written (jfferlan, was anciently regarded as being
within the bounds of Leix ; and no more beautiful or romantic land can be
found tiian that King along the upper banks of the rivers Nore and
Delour, which How" from the sides of the Slieve Bloom IMountams. The
cantred was anciently called Coill Uachterach, Iran-lated, Up^ierwoods,
20 See " Memoirs of the Life and 2' Sec Lewis's " Topographical Die-
Times of the Ki-ht. Hon. Henry lionary of irehind," vol. ii., p. 401.
Grattan " by his son, Henry Grattan, -'■' See a further account m tne
Esq MP vol. V. Diary subjoined to i\h.)st Rev. Dr. Comerford's " l^olleclions
chap. XV., 'pp. 549, 553, 554- relatin- to the Diocese of KiKUre :uid
-^ In three "lari^e octavo volumns, Lei,L;hhn," voL iii., pp. 375, 3/6.
puhhshed by Maeinilian c\: Co., London, -''See Parliamentary Ga/xtteer for
\ci()- Irehind," \'oL ii., p. 813.
az'sec " The National Gazetteer," vol. ' It contains 48,926 a. 2 r. I4p-. ■"■'
p. 899.
its whole extent is defined on the
"2^ it IS shown on tlie "Ordnance " Orchiance Survey Townland Maps h^r
Survey Townland Maps for the Queen's the (Queen's County," Sheets 6, 10, ir,
Countv," Sheet 14. 12, 15. t'', 17. ^L --> -3-
PARISH OF OFFEKI.AXE. 2Q5
and it formed the ri'ihe-land oi the O'Deianeys or Dc ];iney*,- a name still
numerous throughout th-s elevated district. The higher eastern slopes
lie within it, towards the north, and some tine fertile lands border the
lower course of its rivers, nearly all of whicli ilow into and become merged
in the Nore or the Barrow. There are tliroc summits of the IMountaii:
Range, which are respectively 1,733. 1,681. and 1.676 teet ot altitude over
the sea level. 3 This parish has been described by John O'Donovan
in the Ordnance Su- ve\- Records.-; It was also called Li FoirchellainS,
and it comprised 53,131 statute acres, of which 36,987 were applotted
under the Tithe Act. 311 being woodland. 8,000 brown mountain and
bog, 4,000 green mountain and moor, 16,820 arable, and 24,000 pasture.
Gritstone is in great abundance there, as also limestone quarries and
a slate quarry, together with a quarry of fine stone, similar to that of
Portland. The greater jxart of its higher lands is too barren to admit
ot ciiltivation.f'
Several ancient churches and ruined castles are to iic; found within
this district, as also many curious raths, mounds, and other antiquities.
Among those in the lirsi classification may be noticed Annatrim which
lies three miles west of -Mountrath, and it w;is a parish church, in the
diocese of ()ssor\-, during the last century." Annatrim is now only a
small village.'"^ Formerl}' this place seems to have been known as Enaig
or Enach,'' without any other distinguishing appellation. A holy man
who was named Cocmoc '" — afterwards better known ys ]\Iochoemoc,
or, as the name has been Latinised, Pulcherius i'-->oi'.ght for a suitable
site whereon to found a monaster^', and he came to Sliabh Bladhma,
now Slieve b^loom. Here he selected, on its south-eastern sloj^e. the
s]~iot to which allusion has been made. In ancient rei (jrd^-, it is generally
called Enach Truim, now Anglicised Annatrim. Tlie ancient church
is now in ruins, and near it has been erected the Episcopal Church.
- CliiU'lcs O'Conor of lJalanci;_;ar in his ''■ See F.c'wis's " Topugraphical Dic-
" Ortcliiis Improved " has fallen into an tinnary of Jrclaml," vol. li., p. 446.
error in placiir^ tlicm within the furnier ~ See Arehiiah's " j\Ion;ibticon Milier-
territory ol I'ly O'Carroll. In this he nicum," p. 5'jS.
has been foUowcd by Thomas Lalor ^ See " Parhamentary Gazetteer of
Cooke, in his " Picture of Birr." Ireland," vol. i., p. ^G.
However in the ]iosthumous edition of '■' Thus, at tlie 3rd oi November, St.
tins l.iiter \Vv>rh, " The early History of TEngus in his " Feilire " notes La Veil-
the Town (if i;irr or Parsdustown," &c., CoeniAin eiu\i5, or "the festival of
by his sou William Antisall Coolce, and Coeuuui of linai':;." The SclioliaNt at
jiublisiicd by Kobertson and Cd., this passage adds — and the notice shows
Dublin, 1875, the former statement ha;. that he lived at a somewhat renKjte
been alto,gether omitted. period — that Coeman of Enach Truimm
^ Sec " Parliamentary Gazetteer of in Leix of Leinster, was brother to
Ireland," vol. iii., p. 45. Coemgen of Glcndalough, while Cocmlog
* See " Letters containing Informa- was their father's name, and Coemgel
tion relative to the Antiquities of the their mother's. Natcaim of Tir-da-glas
Queen's County, collccteci during the was their brother. See " Transactions
Progress of the Ordnance Survey m of the Royal Irish Academy," Irish
1838," vol. i. Letter of John O'Donovan, "Manuscript Series, vol. i.. Dr. Whitley
dated Stradbally, December 6th, 1838, Stohes on the Calendar of Oengus, pp.
pp. 122 to 150. clxii., clxviii.
^ The O'Deianeys were located in the i" He was instructed by St. Congall,
northern ])art of Ossory. Having joined Abbot of Bangor, whose feast occurs on
with the men of Leix against Tuathal, the mtli of May.
ancestor of the O'Tooles of Hy j\luir- n His Act-; ,ire set down by Colgan.
eadhaigh, the latter was victor, A. D. 950. in "Acta Sanctorum Hihernia\" at
See Dr. O'Donovau's "Annals of the the 13th of ilarch, the day for his
l-'our Mastms," vol. ii. feast.
2q6 HISTORY OF THE OUEEN'S COUNTY.
Botli are siluatetl near .1 tiihutary of the River Nore.12 Outside the
cemetery tliere was St. Kevin's well, and near it was a large flat store,
marked with a ring and two biillauns, called St. Kevin'> stone. '3
According to Archdall,i4 St. Mochoemoc, alias Pulcherias, founded an
abl^ey here, about the year 550.1.^ This he resigned to Coemhan, who
was brother to St. Coemgin or Kevin, 16 Abbot of Glendaloch. The
Calendar of Cashel supports this statenrcnt. He was a pupil of St.
Columban Mac Crimthannan,i7 Abbot of Tir-da-glas, now Terryglass,
near Lough Dearg on the Shannon, and in the County of Tipperary.
The monastery of Coemhan was situated within the territory of Leix,
and province of Lagcnia,iS in the time of Marianus O'Gorman, the cele-
brated Irish Martyrologist. This place, in an old Life of St. Fintan,i9
was called anciently Eadcriiin, or Enachtruin, according to Ussher ~°
and Archdall.2i However, in the Life of that holy Abbot of Clonenagh —
who lived contemporaneously with St. Coeman — his monastery is named
Enach-truini.-= The Feilirc of /Engus places the festival of St. Coeman
of Enachtruim at the 3rd of November ; and the succeeding Irish Calendars
have a like arrangement.
Within this parish, Mondrehid23 or jMonadrehid is a townland \n
the south-west end of a plain, once called Alagh-Tuath, now known
as Offerrilan. It is said to have been so called, from a bridge whieh
spanned a small stream, called the Men or Meana. It is situated about
two English miles north-east of Borris-in-Ossory. Thi'S place, according
to a scholiast on St. rEngus,24 was formerly within the territory of Leiv,
although for a long time past it is known to have been included witlMu
the bounds of Ossory. St. Laisrcn or Lasren was here venerated on
the r6th September,25 and his death took place a.d. 600.26 St. Mainchcn,
or i\Lacncha, Abbot of Meanadrochit, or Alenodrochit, died a.d. 6.}8,
according to the " Annals of the Four Masters," -7 or a.d. 651, according
to those of Ulster. This saint has been considered as possibly identic al
with one similarly named, and belonging to Disert-Gallen,-^ in Leix.-')
12 They arc described on the " Ord- 21 gge " Monasticon Ilibernicum," p.
nance Survey Townland I\Iaps for the 591, n. (e).
Queen's County," Sheet 16. 22 ggg Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum
13 A rough drawing of this has been Hibernian," Februarii xvii. Vita S.
given by John O' Donovan in his des- Fintani Abbatis de Cluain Ednech, cap.
cription of Orierilanc Parish, at p. iii., p. 350.
1 41- -^ It IS to l)e traced on the " Ordnance
'* See " jMonasticon Ilibernicum," p. Survey Townland Maps for the Queen's
5^' I- County," Sheets 15, 16.
1^ This was the date given by Ussher, -» The " Feilire-Aenguis " is the work
and when he is said to have flourished. of his, as annotated in the Leabhar
See " Britannicarum Ecclesiarum Anti- Breac copy, and at the i6th of
quitates," Index Chronologicus, at a.d. September.
iJL.. p. 531- " 25 See Dr. Todd's and Dr. Reeve's
1" His lestival is assigned to the 3rd ' " Martyrology of Donegal " at tins day,
of June. pp. 250, 251.
^■^ Ills feast is held on the 13th of -'^ Sco Dr. O']')onovau's "Annals of
D-»ccml;ier. the Four blasters," vol. i., pp. 224, 225.
1^ See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum 27 c^gg j)i-. O'Donovan's edition, vol. i..
Hiberniae," Martii. xiii. Vita S. pp. 262, 263.
Mochoemoci Abbatis de Liath-Mor in 2s Incorrectly Archdall has Disert
Hclia nn. 15, 16, p. 597. Chuilin in liis " r^Ionasticon Ilibemi-
1^ His feast belongs to the 17th of cum," p. ,96.
February. =a See Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum
20 See "Britannicarum Ecclesiarum Hibernian," xiv., Februarii; Vita S.
Antiquitates," cap. xvii., p. 49S. Mancheni, n. 6, p. 3^3.
'<:':\:^.^^.:<f^^K^.A:^:jy--/ ^i
^^j^y:^
''-m^ssM
ST. KAVAN'S WFHLL AND SIONK,
ANA'I RIM,
ANCII:I\T ST()Nh:-ROOI BD BUILDINCi IN ANAIRIAl
CHURCHYARD.
\'(il. I.
T,> t,u-. 1,,,,;.
IJAKONY CHURCH, IL'^DOWMiV.
Ail; \/^*--<
.>.'""P'^
CHLIRCHTOWN CHURCH. SOUTH VMiW.
^■W?ii
tiwWj,-:
'- /^w^
sni; or ^t. kihrn's iMONAsriik^, irii.l.
\'(.l. I
To I'aiT iia_L;c 297
PARISH OF OFFEKLANE. 207
Manchcn the Wise is an epithet appHed to both — if, indeed, they he
distinct persons ; and it mnst be remarked, the places here named are
not many miles distant, while both lie within a former extension of
the territory of Leix. I\Iundrehid seems to have been in rnins for centnries
past, nor does it appear to have been a separate parochial church.
Delightfully situated on the southern slope of the Slieve Bloom
]\Iountams, and about five miles from Mountrath, near the former
boundary lines between IMunster, Leix, and Ossory, are the foundations
of Mundrehid old church. An ancient cemetery surrounds it, and several
small enclosed fields, with high hawthorn fences. These were formerly
appertaining to the church or monastery there, as may be judged by a
close inspection of their divisions on the site itself. In the early part
of the last century, some ruins of St. Laisren's Church were visible ;
and the building — for towards the middle of the century only the
!i»undations were traceable 3° — seems to have measured over 30 feet
in length, by 12 feet in breadth, as measured. An old cemetery marked
with rude heading stones surroimded it. At present, not even a vestige
of church or cemeter}^ is to be scen.3i The Turtawn stream runs close
to the site on its course to join the River Nore, and some of the richest
fields in Ossory surround the cemetery. One of tlicse is called Gorta-
voragh or the Friars' Garden, and on it was a rath, which has been
removed and levelled. On the approach to the graveyard, and on a
moimd, was Skiogh IJush, at which coffins containing the di^ad used to
be laid, and prayers said, before their removal for final interment.
The village of Castletown, on the southern bank of the River Nore,
is also included within this j^arish.32 The houses are tasteful in ap-
pearance, and arranged in triangular fashion, — a fair green in front,
on which fairs are annually held on June 29th and October iSth. Two
miles distant is its station, the Great Southern and Western Railway,
and the high road from Dublin to Limerick passes through it. The
ruins of the old castle of the Fit;?pa tricks are to be seen there, and from
it the village takes its name, which is also communicated to a Catholic
parish. The Brothers of the Christian Schools have lately built a
fine house for their Novitiate, and it is known as the De La Salle Retreat.
Near it there is an old ruined church covered with ivy, and a much
frequented grave-yard is around it. From this circumstance, the town-
land is called Churchtown, the modern designation, and adjoining is
another townland called Churchfield.33 In the vicinity, corn-mills
were on the Nore, an.d formerly were successfully worked. In 1S31,
the population was 376, and in 1S41, it amounted to 403 in 67 houses. 34
For many centui-ies back the district of Offerlane seems to have been
wrested from the territory of Leix, and to have been subjugated by the
Ossorians. The Mac Giolla Phatraic — also known as AngUcised Fitz-
Patricks — then became chieftains, and these were afterwards recognised
as Barons of Osscjry. The powerful family of Butler contended for
possession with the FitzPatricks, who lield rule through the middle
ages, as various entries in the Irish Annals attest. Through the
^° Tlicy merely rose nbove the canh- ^2 it; is to 1)0 SLX'n depicted on the
level when first seen by tlie writer in 1859. " Ordnance Survey iownland I\Iaps for
■'1 Mondrehid old church is now the Queen's County," Sheet 16.
pn)bal:)ly represented by Eglish friary ^^ v^^e ibid.
(in ruins) on the Ordnance Survey Alajis ^' See " Parliamentary Ga^^etteer of
of the Queen's County Ireland," \-ol. 1., p. 374.
298 HISTORY OF TH1£ QI'T-uN's CoUNIY.
•
instigation of Mac Richard Butler, in the year 144J, the two sons of r^lac
Gillajxitrick, lord of Cssory, Fineen, and Derniot, were tr^'acheronsly
slain at Kilkenny, 35 and afterwards Richard l:5uiler's sons cruelh' ran-
sacked Ossory.3'> The Earl of Ormond and the dynast of Ossorv, with
their relations, friends, and followers, waged a lieree war with each othei
towards the close of the lifteenth century. Sir Oliver Mrirres, styled
Mac Morres, Lord of ^luinagh, of Lateragh, Sec, and Baron de Monte-
marisco, was married to Lacly Ellice, daughter to Peier, Earl of Ormond,
and he took an active part in the campaign. He Avas a man of gigantic
stature, of surprising bodily strength, and of undainited courage. It
is said that these qualities procured for him the Irish title of Fearleoghan-
agus Laghan, or " the broad man-hon." We are even told, that the
portion of Ossory, formerly possessed bv Sir (Jliver, and in v/hieh Castle-
town is situated, is often called Offarlaghan jiaribh. To this period
of history are referred the war-cries of the Fiiz|ialricks (iear-Laidir-
aboo, i.e., " the cause of strong and sharj)," or Eear-Laidir-aboo, i.e.,
" the strong man uppermost," and of the ^Moires family Fear-leoghan-
aboo, i.e.. " the man-lion uppermost." 37 HoN\'e\"er, intermarriages
between the ]-hitlers and the Fitzpatricks cemeniet-l a tamil}' alliance.
We are informed, that in the 3Tar 1640, Annaghim or Aniiatrim and
Offerillan or Ol'ferlan — for so the ])arish seems ihen indiscriminately
to have been called — v.as within the barony of Fi>j>cr Ossory. It had,
at that time, loi farms, townlands and villages. Ihe \Tcarage was
propriate, and worth then £50 per annum. The whole was set for the
use of the Commonwealth for £50 jier annunr m ih^y.i^ it was mostly
waste at that time. 3'^' In 1640, Offerillan or (Jficrlan and Annaghim or
Annatrim had a parsonage worth /lOO pcv annum. After the con-
fiscations in 1657, ''-^^^ whole was set for th.e use of the Common-
wealth, at £50 per annum. Then the parrsh had 21^?. 1 r. b p.
of glebe. 4^ During the great civil war of 1O41, the Fitzpatricks
joined the Confederate Catholics and their cause. Owing to this,
under the Comnronwcalth tlieir lands were marked out for eon-
fiscation,n as we thus find them designated cjh Sir William Potty's
Maps. It only remains to compare those sex'entemth-ccntury names
With the nrore modern etymons, which may be louiid on the Ordnance
Survc}' Townland Maps for the Queen's Count\'. Castles and liouses
are noticed in the parish of Offerlan at the iiriv. while at yVnnaiiim and
Churchtown were two churches out of rc])aii-. ( 'ther denominations are
Clononeen, Clonquillin, Ballintragh, Gurrin, ]3all\i;nsny, Castlegarrow,
Farrandonoghcry, Ballyraghell, Clasncmurk, ]\Iainn, Fiarafm, Ivathloran,
Cloquin, Loran, Dcrr3'hanin, ]:>al]ymoye, Garrar.kiell, Clartane, Shran-
garry, Cargin, Clonefadda, Cuddaglibeg, (Auldaghmore, Rathiealan,
3-' See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of ■'^ However, Colonel John Intzinitrick
the Four Masters," vol. iv., pp. qjs, 929. contrived very dishonourably to make
3'' See ibid u. (\v.) conditions with the Parliamentarians in
37 See Brewer's " Beauties of Ireland," 1652, which drew forth an indignant
vol. ii., pp. 91 to 93. ])rotest from the confederate not)ility,
3^ 'Jlien this parish had 21 a. i r. and gentry, clergy, commanders and oflicers
6 p. 01 glebe. of the Leinster ]'ro\-ince. By this act
^^ See Sir Charles Coole's " Cicneral he secured the 1 '_\'ei'si(iii of his own
View of the Agriculture and ?.Iauidac- Ossory e.^iale. See J.ihn '1'. ChToert's
turcs of the Queen's County," cliai). i., "Contemporary ili^lor)- ol AUairs in
sect. ,T, p. 9. ' Ireland from i(-k\[ to 1652," vol. iii.,
^0 See idid. ]>nvt li., ]<p. 389, 390.
P.\RI:^IT OI' OKKI'.KI.AXK. 200
Kilbrickan, Canicloan, Ijjlh'clory. Innishhilvicll, I.o^lianaj^fory. Bolier-
kri^li, Knockanatec, Aghafin, Cloncaslieri\'an, KnorkN-ctjlcariK Cranat^h,
Dcrrycantan, Cappacrunibe^h, CanichoH, CuinaL^owrr. Inchiiioiki.',
Culcderquill, Kildrinagh, Capanahcrny, Derryarcoe, Kiiockbrack, (lurlua-
pisliy, Shangowny, Cooleroaii, Aclirrin, ii: the Bog ol Mondrchitt, Annagh-
niore, Derryncsirry, Tinnikilly, Dirrinboy, Ballylioraghan, K\iannre,
Lccige, Larkagli, Gurtinanamalagh, Clondaglasse Knockaiiavatl,
Garafna, Rasnadoughy, Lonford, Camrosse, Maglu'rybrg, Moiigaghbeg,
Rosnacloney, Mongaghniore, Derrylocan, Woods and Conn nous of
liallinrally, Kilnarrod, Monrin^', Scliool Lands of l^allinrally, Rosnacrinv,
Dcrrvceraroe, Dcrryloske, Shrahanbo, Lackytarsny and Cappa.i- In
Sir William Petty's time, a ruined caslle but no church is noticed
at Mondrehitt and Eglish. Then woods, bogs and mountain wastes
thickly studded this distiict ; Init cultivation and im]n-ovements have
since been in progress to rcmo\'e some of those features from the landscape.
Offerlane is regarded as a vicarage and a separate benefice, in the
diocese of Ossory. It was in the patronage of tlie bishop, while the
rectory was aj^propriate to the Dean and Chapter of St. Canice, Kilkenny,
in 1837.43 The tithes amounted to /.Qoo, of which fjioo was j^avable
to the Dean and Chapter, while the remainder was given to the vicai".
The old church, then at Aimatrim, was condemned, at that time, as
being unsafe for use.44 Soon afterwards, a new Protestant clmrch
was built beside the old one by a subscription obtained <,from private
parties of £324, while the Ecclesiastical Commissioners advanced £1,211
7s. 5d.45 The rectorial tithes of Offerlane were compounded in 1S46
for £600, a]Dpropriated to the Deanery of St. Canice's Cathedral ;
while vicarial tithe composition was /300 : glebe, £31''^ Ss. od.; nett,
£584 14s. ()fl. The incumbent then held the bcnctices and rectories, which
constituted tlie coi'ps of till' deanery of St. Caniee's Cathedral, while
he held likewise tin: sinecure i^recentorshiji of Waterford (\ithedral,
and he I'esided in the City of Kilkenny. There was another place of
meeting also used as a jxirochial place for worship, and there wi-re two
curates, each recei\ang a salary of £j^.
In 1834 the parislnoners consisted of 1,334 Churchmen, 46 Protestant
Dissenters, and 8,788 Roman Catholics. Two Sunday schools were
usually attended by about 75 children. There were eight daily schools,
one of which was aided with {8 a year from the Society for the Suppression
of Vice, and ;/'5 from the Dean of Ossor}' ; one was aided with some
advantages from a Mr. Remans : one was aided with ('8 from the National
Board, and /6 from the Ladies Fitzpatrick ; while two were in connexion
with the Kildare place Society. These schools h,id on their books 393
boys and 23,7 girls. Then there were Catholic chajiels at Comross or
Comens, Castletown, Rush Hall, and Killenore, having an atteiukmce
respectively of 1,300, 1,000, 700, and 500 persons ; these were ]xirochiallv
united, and under the care of three priests. 4^- The residence of a Parish
Priest is at Comross, and he has charge of that extensive Parish m the
Catholic arrangement.
'- Yet a close inspection of Sir William ■*^ Sec Le\vis',s " Topo.ujraphical Dic-
Petty's Map of Ofterlane Parish and of tionary of Ireland," vol. ii., p. 447.
General Valiancy's copy of the original ■••' See ibid.
Maps in Paris will not exhibit all the ^■' See " Parliamentary Gazetteer of
foregoing denominations, which are Ireland," \o\. iii., [1. 40.
only to be found on the index sheet. ■"' Se^' ibid.
Marked differences of spelling also occur. <■' They are shown on the " Ordnance
300 HISTORY OF TIIF OTJEEN S COUNTY.
Colerain or Cooleraine is a small \-illa,i,\' within this jiarish, and
near it tlie Protestant Church of Annatrini is to bo sccn.-t: The in-
cunibent of Offcrlane and Colerain has an annual c;rant of /"3_'5.'t*> The
village stands near the east edge of a large expanse of bog, aiiout 3J miles
west-south-west of Mountrath, aiui a little above it is tlie confluence of
the Delour, the Tonnet and the Nore rivers.49 In 1831, the population
of Colerain was 324, and in 1S41 it diminished to 194, living in 38 housi's.
Several very beautiful residences and linelv situated are to be met
with scattered over the extensive parish of Offcrlane. Among these
may be enumerated — Rock view House, Sjiringhill House, Castleview,
Mannin House, Newtown House, iMoorfield House, Rush Hall Court,
Peafield House, Brookfield House, Mondrehid House, the Lodge, Danes-
fort House, Hazlepit House, Laurel Hill, Altavilla, Shanderrv, C(^olrain
House, Coolnagour, Radger-LIill House, Derrynaseera, Grossbrook,
Mount Salem, Giltfield Llouse, Tinnakil House, North Grove House,
Ash Grove House, Lacka House, Deer Park Plouse, Cardtown House,
Mountainy House, Moran's Grove, Sallybrook, Westfield Farm, Donore,
and Roundwood House. In 1S31, the population of this parish was
9,915 ; in 1S41, it increased to 10,491, the houses being 1,670. Since
these periods, the population has verv considerably diminished.
CHAPTER XL.— Parish of Rath.aspick.
The iiarish of Rathspick i or Rathasbuck lies, jvirtly in the baronies
of Ballyadams- and Slievemarigue ^ in the Queen's County, and partly
in the barony of Fassadinan,4 m the County of Kilkenny. The Slieve-
margy and Fassadining sections of this parish, with the south-western
and western portion of the Ballyadams section, are prevailingly moun-
tainous,5 and adapted generally for pasturage rather than tillage, the
higher summits are barren in soil but rich in minerals, hardh' as xo.t
well developed. However, some of these are extracted, but with ratlier
primitive methods and without improved machinery. This parish
contains stone-coal quarries at Doonane, Newtown, Rushes, Mandubeagh,
Corgee, and Wolfhill. This last-named pit is drained by a level, and
all the other pits by steam engines. The collieries of ^lullaghmore
are situated near the centre of the Ballyadams section ; and several
extensive collieries are situated in the Shevemargy section, immediately
in connexion with Doonane and Newtown colleries in the adjoining
parish of Killabban. Those collieries formerly supplied stone-coal
to all the surrounding country ; and this was conveyed by means of
can-iers, while numbers of colliers were employed at the pits. The
Survey Townland Maps for the Queen's witliin this barony measures 4,138 a. 3 r.
County," Slieet 16. 17 p.
^8 See " The Irish Cliurch Directory ^ This portion of the parish measures
and Year Book for 1903," p. 121. 3.438 a. 2 v. i 5 />.
•'3 See the " Parhamcntary Gazetteer * Tliis poriiou measures639(Z. 3 r. 30 /?.
of Ireland," voL i., p. 501. ^ Hackett's fliU, near the centre of thi-
1 It is described on the " Ordnance Slievemar,L;y section, has an altiiude of
Survey Townland Maps for the Queen's 8Sq feet above the sea-level ; while one
County," Sheets 25, 31 ; and on the mile northwards is a lu'i'-;ht of S05 feet.
" Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for In the Ballyadanas section the highest
the County of Kilkenny," Sheet 2. point is at the church, having :\\\
- The ]iortion of Rathaspick parish altitude of 375 feet.
PARISH OF RATIIASPICK. 30I
shiitts are first sunk through claj^ ; then succeeds a hard *green rock ;
afterwards comes a slaty strata, in contact with which is the coaL It
was worked on either side by regular gangs ot colliers ; the number
of each gang was about thirty, and when the pit was double worked
there were sixty. Each crew worked ten hours a day, and each number
had a spccihc duty.'^ There are excellent quarries of building stone and
flags, within the bounds of this parish.
The name of this parish is derived from Rath Easpuic, or the " Bishop's
Ralh." At present, however, there are no rums of ancient ecclesiastical
buildings there ; but, tradition has it, that an old church stood in the
graveyard, where the present Protestant church has been erected. There
too are to be found the vestiges of a fort, which has probably given
name to the place. 7 This had been at first erected, probably m Pagan
times; and, if we are only able to connect the following items of our
ecclesiastical biography with this locality, it had likewise an ancient
Christian history.
In our Irish Mart}Tologies, at the i6th of February, we find the
feast of Aedh Glas,^ who was Bishop of Rath na n-Epscop.9 But,
as there are several places in Ireland, denominated Rath na n-Epscop,
or Rathnaspick, it is not easy to fix the locility ; yet, it seems probable
enough, that it was here situated. Aedh Glas is thought to have been
the son of Mured, the son of Fortchern, and to have had for his brothers,
Diermit, Foebarch, Maclaisre, Manchin, Tarchell, and Tinne, all of
whom are said to have been bishops. ^o They are reputed to have been
of St. Declan's family." According to iMananus 0' Gorman and other
Calendansts, all of these are stated to have been venerated at Rath
na n-Epscop, and they are found ranked among St. Patrick's disciples. i-
They are supposed, in all probability, to have lived in the time of St.
Kieran,i3 Bishop of Saigir, since a Bishop Aldus is recorded in his Acts.^-t
However, we find it stated, also, that Rathene, commonly called Rathna-
nepscop, was m the diocese of Raphoe, that a St. Aedglass fixed his
residence there, and that his festival was observed in that place on the
i6th of February.! 5 Besides the foregoing entry, at this latter date,
the Martyrology of Tallagh '^ has the Festival of Oengus, Bishop of
Rathna nae Espuc, onlv another rendering of Rathnaspick. However,
the Martyrology of Donegal ^7 enters Aenghas— without assigning
his locality — at the same date. But, a commentator on this Cak"^ndar
adds,'^^ tliat perliaps lie was Aengus Laimhiodhan, Bishop ot Ratli-
" See Lewis' " Topograpliical l^ic- aJogies of the Irish Saints," cliap.xvi.
tionary of Irelaiirl," vol. "11., p. 4S7. i^i His plnce was at Arcimure, in the
■'See "Letters coutainiug Inlorma- County of Waterford, and his least was
tion relative to the Antiquities of the held there, on the 24th of July. __
Queen's County, collected during the 12 See Colgan's " Trias Thaumatuiga,'
I'rogress of the Ordnance Survey in Quinta Appendix ad Acta S. Paliicii.,
1838," vol. ii. Letter of Thomas O'Conor cap. xxiii., p. 26S.
dated Carlow, December 23rd, 1838, pp. ^^ His feast occurs at the sth March.
256, 257. 14 See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum
"^'in I'i.ev. Dr. Kelly's "Calendar of Hiberniae," Martii v., Vita S. Kierani,
Irish Saints," and in the INIartyrology of cap. xii., n. 20, p. 459.
Tallagh, at that date, he is simply desig- 1^ See Dr. James M'Parlan's " ^i^^f^s-
nated Aedh Glas, without any locality. tical Survey of the County of Donegal,
See p. XV. p. 1 18.
'' In Rev. Drs. Todd's and Reeves' i" See the edition of Rev. Dr. Kelly,
" Martyrology of Donegal," Aedh Glas p. xv.
is thus distinguished. See pp. 50, 51. i' See the edition of Rev. Drs. load
1^ Acconliug to the Book of " Gene- and Ri;eves, pp. 50, 51.
302 HISTORY OF Till-" OUEEN S COUNTV.
lui-ncspoc. who Llcrivcd his t>rigin from the r.i'X- ot Bresal lU'oc, h'om
whom the Osraif;hc dcscendecL It lias hieii conjectured by Colgan,
that Aengus was identical with .Engus, surnamed Laimhiodhan, the son
of Flann, son to Bairrind, son of Fmchad, son to Degad, son of Drona,
son to lUian, and an Ossorian by descent. "J He was a monl': of Durrow,
and he is classed as one of St. Columkille's disciples. -o If this conjecture
be correct, ylhigus must have flourished in the sixth century. If the
.Engus mentioned in the Calendar be connected with the present locality,
it seems not improl>able, he may have been that one, who wrote some
eulogistic verses on his more celebrated namesake, St. .Engus the Culdee.
It seems probable, that the ])anegyrist, if not intimate with the subject
of his poem, was at least contem})oraneous. It may be observed, like-
wise, tliat the feast of St. /Engus, Bishop, was observed on the i6th of
February,-' in the village of Clough, County of Kilkenny. That place
lies not far removed from the Queen's County Raihaspick.-^
The beautiful mansion of Graceheld is m this parish. The family
of Grace, who gave name to this manor, are- descended from Raymond
le Gros, who accompanied Richard de Clare, surnamed Strongbow,
Earl of Pembroke, to Ireland.-3
Former!}' some monastic ruins, on the estate of Sir William Grace,
13art., presented an interesting object from his house at (iracetield.
About lialf-a-mile to the north, a high belfry, a large eastern window
and ivy-rnantled walls were conspicuous.--! The monastery was ap-
parently on a small and an humble scale, and to the family of O' Moore
the foundation was ascribed ; as also a more considerable religious
establishment at Old Court, on the townland of Clonpierce, which is
thought to have been the head of the former, which was only a cell.
The distance between them is only two miles. This, however, may be
regarded as a \ery doubtful conjecture of Shefheld Grace; and other
writers ha\-e adopted it, without much evaiiii!iation.-5
l\.ahas])!cl':, in Slewmargy, had nine townlands, and it was an entire
rectory in 1640. Then it was worth ^33 per annum, It had a church
at that time, although no minister.^'' lu Rathaspick ])arish, the habitable
castle of .Aliltown is the only object seen or described on Sir William
I'etty's ]\Iaps.-7 Part of the Rahaspick Tarish has boggy wood and
timber wood, on John ^bison's " Trace of Slewmargigh barony, in ye
Oueene's County," and with clumps ol trees tletined around its borders.
The Papist proprietors of these lands were Thomas Dauills, of Bally-
knockan Castle, Robert Hartpole, Thomas Hovendon, Thomas Keating,
1^ See ibid, n. 3. -' A laiUiliil representation ot these
i'-* Such is his pe(H<:;ree as found in ancient remains, as they appeared
the " Genealogies of tlie Irish Saints," ]irevious to 1S13, was preserved in the
chap. xxi. ■ Topographical Collections of Shell'ield
2" See " Trias Thaumaturga," Quarta (".race, Esi]., tlie accomplished author
Appendix ad Acta S. Columb.e, cap. x., <if " Meninirs of thu Family uf
p. 487. Likewise, Quinta Appendix, ('.race."
cap. iv., sect. 11, p. 507. -' See J. N. Brewi-r's " Beauties of
-1 According to the " Statuta Diocesis Ireland," vol. ii., p. ioq.
Ossoriensis," sect. 8, p. 25, -" See Sir Charles Coote's " General
22 See, on this subject, the author's View of the Agriculture and Manutac-
" Lives of the Irish Siiints," vol. ii., tures of the Queen's County," cha]). i.,
February xvi.. Art. ii., iii. slcI. 3, p. 11.
23 See an account of the Grace family, -■■ Jlie same may be observed of
in J. N. ISrewer's " ISeauties of Ireland," 'k'Ucral Vallancey's copy of the Maps in
vol. ii., pp. 109 to IJ3. I'.ins.
PARISH OF RATHASlMCIv. 3O3
ft
Oliver St. Lcgcr, i\IortaL;li Lea, ^Martin and Steiihen Skelton. The
barony of I'Jallyadanis is re]'>rcsented on Sir Willi, im Petty's Maps as
containing Fontstowne, Killmackeady; St. Jolni's, Tankardstowne,
]\Ionksgran,'4e, Killeban and Rathnspug j^arishes.
Ballylcbene Castle is an object of antiquit}', now in nuns. It is said
to have been a pcj.-^scssion — if not an erection — of the Hovendens,
who were an En.ghsh famil\' among those sewn adventnrers, who ui-
vaded Leix, in tlie sixteenth centnry.-^
Boley, which adjoins Gracefield, had a rath on the top of a hill, with
large double entrenchments. -9 Dundrum commands a most extensive
prospect, and it rises over the woods of Graceheld. This circumstance
caused a party of insurgents in 179S, to occupy it with, a rude encamp-
ment.3o Se\-eral heads of halberts and brass rings have been found
at Milltown.^^i Here, too, are the ruins of a castle 3- — also called Bally-
vuilling — \\hich seems to have been of considerable antiquity ; but its
history is not kno\\n.. One square tower constitutes the principal
remnant of this structure. ]\Iost of the outworks, consisting of Wcdls
and earthen mounds, are now levelled. Stagnant hshponds occupy
the site of its surrounding fosse. The builthng was placed by the side
of a shallow rivulet, and it is well sheltered by hills in every direction,
except towards the south. The situation of the castle seemed more
calculated for domestic comfort, than tor defensive wariar(^. A modern
dwelling-house has been attached to it.
Inch House was the residence of William Conner "■^ — a dissenting
Protestant ininisler — who in the earlier part of the last century was dis-
tinguished for his eloquent advocacy of Tenant Right and for the abolition
of Tithes, on many public platforms, before these questions became
ripe for settlement. He was also the author of several political and
social tracts.
The Protestant church was built here in 1813, by means of a gift
from the Board of First Fruits, to the amount of £553 i6s. iid.34 It
was erected out of the ruins of ancient religious buildings, under the
site of which were formerly three vaulted chambers. In one of these
was a well of the j)urest water. 3.s In those vaults have been discowred
some curious antiquities, 3<-' as also in the helds adjoining. 37 Tlie parish
= ** In null\-'s " Irish Catholic Ma;-;a- of the Queen's Count}', collected durin-
zinc " I here 1.-, "A Legend ol Ballylebane the Progress of the Ordnance Survey in
Castle," attributed to the pen of i.SjS," vol. ii. Letter of Thomas O'Conor,
Burrowcs Kelly, Iisq., author of the datetl Carlow, December Jjrd, 183S,
" JNIanor of Glenmore," the " Polish p. 259.
Mother," c\:c. See vol. i., December, ^■^ He married the former occupant, a
1S47, PP- ■i'^^7 fo 31'-'- widow named Mrs. Mitchell.
-^ See Gougli's Camden's "Lritannia," ■'■' See " Parliamentary Clazetteer of
vol. iii.. p. 536. Ireland," vol. ni., p. 117.
^° See J. N. Brewer's " Beauties of ^5 y^.^. Lewis's " Topographical Die-
Ireland," vol. ii., p. 113. tionary of Ireland," vol. ii., p. 4S7.
^' The Rev. Edward Ledwich supposed ^6 ^,-,^Qi-(g these were two cumbrous
these to have been tokens of an engage- door-keys, with curiously constructed
ment at Ballylihane — a townland m the wards and handles, together with an
parish of Ivillaliban^and which took ill-shaped drinking vessel and some
place during the Irish Rebellion. See coins.
Cough's Camden's " Britannia," vol. iii., 37 Among these were many pieces of
P- 53^- ancient coin, a short sword or dagger of
■'-' The Irish name for it is b.Mle .\n lirass, a pm 5 in. long, with a chased
miiiLiTin. See " Letters containing brooch of the same in(>tal, and adorned
Information relative to the .-Vntiquities with four yellow stimes.
304^ IIISTORV OF THE QUI-l'.N S COUNTY.
was a rectory and a separate benefice in the Diocese of Lei.^hlni, m 1S4G.
The patron was the diocesan. 38 The titlie coni]:)osition and gross income
constituted £300 ; tlie nctt income was /^258 i6s, iid. In 1831, the
population of this parish numbered 4,032 ; thc' census for that year
stating, however, tlie number of inhabitants at 3,556, but omitting
to enumerate the Fassadining section. 39 In the Slievemargy section,
the inhabitants were 1,697 ; and in the Eallyadams section 1,859.
In 1834, the parishioners consisted of 78 Churchmen, 13 Protestant
Dissenters, and 3,941 Roman Catholics.4o In 1841, the population
was 4,133, houses 720 ; that of the Fassadining section being 500 in-
habitants, houses 91. The Slievemargy section had 1,760 peo])le,
liouses 313. The Ballyadams section had 1,873 people, liouses 31G.
According to the Roman Catholic parochial arrangement, the chapel
at Wolfhill is united to two chapels in the parishes of Ballyadams and
Tullowmoy ; the cha].")el at Dunane being united to tlie chapel of
Killashane.
CHAPTER XLI.— Parish of Rathdowney.
This extensive parish is chiefly situated in the barony of Clanflnnagh,'
with a small portion in that of Clarmallagh.^ Excellent tillage and
pasture land abounds throughout this parish, while there is little bog
and no waste land. It contains a town of some importance, througli
which passes a small stream, which flows into the Erkina River not far
distant. This parish has been briefly noticed by John (JT)onovan
in the Ordnance Survey Records. 3
The tov»n of Rathdowney is situated on the road from Mountrath
to Thurles, and has a weekly market, besides fairs on the 27th of January,
1st of April. 6th of i\Iay, loth of July, 12th of Sepember, ist of November
and 15th of December. A Petty Sessions Court is held here. A police
station and a brewery, which does a considerable trade with the sur-
rounding country, are in the town. 1
In the 3'ear 874,2 the death of Flaitliri, son of Maelduin, Lord of
Rath-Tamhnaighe — the aiiLienc name for this place — 1^ announced.
Again, in a.d. ooq, the death of Maelpatraig, son to Elathrai. Lord of
Rath-Tamhnaighe, is recorded.*^ In ioiki died (iillamolua Ua
Bruaideadlia, Lord of Rath-Tamhnaighe. 7 Tluie are ruins of ancient
caslles at Ballagh, Clonbvrne, and Castle-Fleming. Rathdowny, re-
presented as being in Upper Ossory, was worth /210, in the year 1640,
while in 1657, '^ had I'orty-six townlands and villages, a parsonage
and vicarage in the possession of one jx' son. The whole was then
•^^ See " The National Gazetteer," Queen's County, collected during the
vol. ii., p. 285. Progress of the Ordnance Survey in
■'* See " Parhamentary Gazetteer of iS38,"vol. 1. Letter of John O' J Donovan,
Ireland," vol. iii., p. 117, and note. tlated Mountrath, November -Sth, 1S3S,
'° See ibid., p. 112. pp. 90, 91.
'This portion, containing 17,116 a. * See "The National Gazetteer,"
2 ;-. 2S-/>.,is shown on the "Ordnance vol. ii., p. 2S7.
Survey Townland Maps for tlie Queen's '' See Dr. O'Donovau's " Annals of
County," Sheets 21, 22, 27, 28, 33, 34. the Four Masters., vol. i., pp. 520, 521,
- This contains only lOS a. 2 r. 18 p. and n. (x.)
3 See " Letters containing Infornia- " See ibid, vol. ii., pp. 580, 581.
tion relative to the Antiquities of the '' See ;/',■(/, ])p. S96, 898.
//
I
(^
"iPi?
.""dk.j.J^t'V
fc-^^>
*>€,.
I:Rkll.l. ClUJRCIi, I ROM SOUIII^W l:S 1.
<>\'..
"•i^"' ''i^^*'^^
HRRILL CR0S5.
Vn\. I.
To Kicc p.iL;!.' 303.
I'ARISH OF RATHSARAN. 3^5
t as being most part waste, at £55 5s., for use of the Coininonwc'ilLh.
le church was out of repau", and there was no mmister>
The chief seats are Harristown, Beckiield, Lackland, and Johnstown
[ebe \t Errill are said to be the ruins of a church and monastery,
. also the remains of a vorv ancient cross. At Cloneve, near Harnstown,
■e some triihng remains of an old church and of a burial place.9 ihe
ev E^nvard Ledwich, the well-known writer on Irish Antiquities,
as formerly curate of Rathdowney. In 1814, the Board of Inrst Inuits
•anted /loo, and a loan of £1,200, for building a handsome glebe-house.
1 181 S the Board of First Fruits granted a loan of £1,000 towards
ailding a church in the Early English style, and it is surmounted by a
ell-prSportioned spire. In 1816, this living was united to the rectories
[ Glashare and Kildellig, and it was appropriate to the Dean and
hapter of the Cathedral of Kilkenny, being m the patronage of the
ishoD In 1831, the population of this parish, united with the rectories
1 Glashere and Kildellig, was returned as 7,576-^° The gross income oi
.thes was given as £860 6s. gd., the nett £758 :is^ 7|d., its patj-on being he
iocesan, and the curate receivmg a salary of £69 4s. 71^-^ Tu he
■ear 18^,4, the inhabitants of this parish consisted ol 6,210 Koman
atholics, 600 churchmen and 5 Protestant Dissenters; while the in-
habitants of the whole union w<ire 7,144 Koman Catholics, 617 church-
nen, and 5 Dissenters. As applotted under the Tithe Act ^Y,Vu
his parish comprised 13,406 statute acres ana the living ^^;.^3 ^i^^'
t vicara^'-e in the diocese of Ossory, the tithes amounting' to £7^0, ut
vhich /500 were paval>le to the Dean and Chapter, and the remainder
■0 theficar. The'gl.be then comprised 267 acres, the gross income
)f the beneiice being £950. At that time, the parish contained 6,654
nhabitants, of which number 1,214 lived m the town. ihe pre.e
ncumbent of Kathdownev has a grant of £440 ]ht annum with a gian
lor service at Rathsaran £20.- In 1841, thr po]nilation ot Rathdowney
pari^sh was 6,756, living in 1,058 lioases ; those living m the rural distuet.
heim' 5^67, in 836 hoi?ses.i3 According to the Roman Catholic arrange-
ment Rathdownev chapel was united with the chapel oi Crogan m
the parish of Rathsaran.
CHAPTER XLII.— Parish of Rathsaran.
This small parish ^ is situated^ in the barony of Clandonagh, and it
1 es abo^it two miles west of Rathdowney. The land is genera h-ola
.'ood quahtv, and the highest ground in it is situated north-east ot th.
centre having an altitude'of 450 ft. This parish has been brie y noticed
bv Tohn O'Donovan in the Ordnance Survey Records.3 Castle- Crogan
House is the only fine mansion withm it. St. Kieran s well is the onl s
«See S>r Charles Coote's " Ge.ural ^^ See "The Irish Church I nr.cLorv
^n'sA 'Lwis' "^Toposrapluca, Lie- -It contairn. on,. . -o. «;, o ;. .-• /^^^
"TA'ryopr ;;u>'a;iik''„S%,.e„ S^r^^y ro.'= Map, .r .,. , a.
, ^ ^ '■ County, biiccts 27, 2b, ,-,.v
1 %.e " Pu-Uamentarv Gazeitoer of ^' See "Letters coulainincr Inlnnn..-
306 HISTORY OF THE QUEEN'S COUNTY.
object of antiquity marked on the map of this parish ; and, perhajis
owing to this circumstance, it may be regarded as having been formerly
under the patronage of tlie Ossorian saint and first loishop, whose feast
is held on the 5th March.
Rathsarran, described as being in Upper Ossory, had seven townlands,
and it was an entire rectory, in 1640. It contained 114a. and Sop. of
glebe, valued at £20 per annum, the whole parish being worth £8, m
1657. The whole ecclesiastical benefice was then set for use of the
Commonwealth, and there was no minister in the parish.4 In 1807,5
tlie Protestant chin-ch here was built by means of a gift of /461 los. Qjd.
from the Board of First Fruits. It has also a Catholic chapel, united
to RathdowneN'. In 1S20 the glebe-house was erected, by aid of a gift
from the lioard of First Fruits amounting to £250, with a loan of ;^55o.
The glebe comprised 114 acres. As applotted under the Tithe Act,
the whole parish contained 2,065 statute acres.^ In 1831, the population
of this parish was S6S. In 1S34, the Protestants amounted to 152, and
the Roman Catholics to 723. In 1S41, the population reached 965,
living in 155 houses.
This parish was a rectory and a separate benefice in the Diocese of
Ossory, valued at £265,7 with a tithe composition of £130, and a glebe
valued at ;£i68 ; the gross income was £298, the nett £254 lis. yd., the
diocesan being patron in 1S46.S The road from lliiirles to Dublin
runs through this parish.
CHAPTER XLIIT. — Parish of Rearymore or Rerymore.
The parish ot I^ear\'more, situated in the barony of Tinnahinch, contains
13,943a. 2r. 7/)., I and thus spreads over a considerable tract in the north-
western part of the Queen's County.^ This parish was a vicarage,
and part of the benefice of Oregan, in the diocese of Kildare, and valueil
with Oregan or Rosenallis at /575.3
The southern part of tins parish extends along the Sleive Bloom
range, and some of the scenery there is wild and broken, with many
glens and streams abounding. It contains many of the rivulets which
serve to form the Ri\-er i^arrow near the central parts, whence it takes
a north-north-eastward course through the interior of the northern
district. It flows along a new channel to the east of its former course,
and then it so deflects, as to continue eastward along a considerable
part of the northern bounds. The lofty line of summits called the
Cones extends along the southern boundary ; while the hne of summits
Queen's County, collected during the . the Board of First Fruits," vol. ii., p. 508.
Progress of the Ordnance Survey in « See Lewis's " Topographical Dic-
iS3S,"vol. i. Letter of John O'Donovan, tiouary of Ireland," vol. ii., p. 508.
dated Mountrath, November 2Sth, 1838, '^ See " The National GazettCL-r," vol
P- 86. ii., p. 291.
* See Sir Charles Coote's " General s See " Parliamentary Gazetteer of
View of the Agriculture and Manufac- Ireland," vol. iii., p. 140.
tures of the Queen's County," chap, i., 1 Of this surface 1 1 a. 3 r. and ig p.
sect. 3, p. 8. are in Lough Duff.
s This is stated in the " Parhamentary 2 ^gg it described on the " Ordnajice
Gazetteer of Ireland," vol. iii., p. 140 ; Survey Townland Maps for the Queen's
but, in [.ewis"'Topographical Dictionary County," Slicets i, 2, 3, 6, 7.
of Ireland," it is stateil that the church ■' Si-e " I'lie National 'Gazetteer," vol.
was l.)uilt in 1797 by aid of a gift from ii., 1). 200.
— I
XL
»^
&&<.
«&i.^.,v'4Liat A-.tjff A J^ ,tu. u-f*i>i
ri:ai^n,v\()i^h chui^ch.
See pillar ](<J.
^'^
:/
\^j'
I'liotos h.v\
\\A. I.
ST. PINIAN'S \VF:l.L.
Sir |i,il;i' ^07.
PARISH OF KKARVMORE OR RERVMORE. 307
•
called the Ridge of Capard runs along the south-eastern boundary
At the south-east corner is l-]aunreagheong Mountain, having an altitude
of 1,676 ft. above sea-lcvel. At the eastern boundary is tlie Antoniau
Mountain, rising 1,114 ^t. In the interior of the southern district are
Knockanastumba, 1,359 ft. in altitude, and another mountain 1,261 ft.
There is a waLcr-shed between the River Barrow and the ShannoLii's
affluent, the Clodiagh river. The Gorragh rivulet traces the southern
part of Rearymore's southern boundary, and after leaping down a water-
fall, it has still an elevation of 8SS ft. above the sea-level. It joins the
Clodiagh. The Glenlaghan and GlenJjarrow rivulets rise close on the
southern bounds, and proceed through deep valleys to unite their
respective streams with the River Barrow. The northern parts of
Rearymore parish are for the most part low-lying, and they contain
a large proportion of arable land. Much of it is disposed in pasturage,
and a considerable part is boggy.4 This parish has l)een noticed by
John O'Donovan in the Ordnance Survey Records. 5
The ruins of Rearymore church are still to be seen. The people
of this parish used annually to assemble on the 12th of December, at
St. Finian's Well, to celebrate the festival of their patron saint. The
Well consists of three or four apertures in the solid rock, and these are
always full of water. It is surmounted by old hawthorns, and these
are preserved by the people with great veneration. In the beginning
of the last century, it was customary lor pilgrims to go round the Well
on their bare knees, by way of penance and mortification.'^
Besides the ruins and much frequented cemetery of Rearymore
church, in the grounds of Rearymore, 7 the site of another churcii is t"
be seen within this parish. The ruins of Rathcoffey bridge also in this
parish are of some interest. s In j\Iay i6qi, an engagement took place
in this parish between the forces of King William III. and King James
II., in \\lii( h the lattrr w(Me dcfrated."
In 1831, the ])opulation of Rearymore parish was 2.729. In the Roman
Catholic divisions, this parish is partly in the union of Rosenallis, and
partly in that of Clonaslee.io In 1834, 'the Roman Catholics were 2,499,
the Protestants amounting to 197. In 1837, the land was generally
of good quality, chiefly under tillage, and in a profitable state of agri-
cultural cultivation. In 1841, the population reached 2,916, living in
48() houses. In 1846, the vicarial tithe composition was £7^ 7s. 6d. ;
the glebe of about forty acres being valued at /So. The rectorial tithes
were compounded for ;^I46 14s. iijd., and were impropriate in General
Dunne, of Brittas." The chief seats in this parish are Rearyvale House,
Rearymore, and ]5arrow House. The road from iMountmellick to Birr
crosses the interior, at the base of the mountains.
* See " Parliamentary Gazetteer of Baldwin, curate, sect, vi., p. 322.
Ireland," vol. iii., p. 14S. '^ See Lewis's " TopoL;raphical Dic-
^ See " Letters containing Infonna- tionary of Ireland," vol. li., p. 512.
tioa relative to the Antiquities of the '^i See " l^arliamentary Gazetteer of
Queen's County during the Progress of Ireland," vol. iii., p 14S.
the Ordnance Survey in 183S," vol. i. " See an account of this battle in
Letter of John O'Donovan, dated Walter Harris's " History of the Life and
Stradbally, December 8th, 1838, pp. Reign of William III." Book ix., pp.
202 to 206. 316, 317.
" See W'illiam Shaw Mason's " Statis- 1° See Lewis's " Topograpliical Dic-
tical Account or Parochial Survey of tionary of Ireland," vol. ii., p. 512.
Ireland," vol. iii., No. xvi. Union of i' See " Parliamentary Gazetteer of
Jiosenallis or Orcgan, by the l\ev. John Ireland." \()1. iii., p. 14S.
^o8 HISTORY OF THE oueen's county.
CHAPTER XLIV.— Parish of Rosconnell.
The parish of Rosconnell is situated partly in the baronies of Clar-
niallagh ■ and CuUenagh ~ Oueen's County,3 only a small portion of
it being in the baiony of Fassadinin,4 in the County of Kilkenny.5 The
land in this parish is of second-rate quality, and the highest ground
occurs near the centre of the Fassadinin section, having an altitude
of 407 feet above the sea-level. Rosconnell parish is watered by a
tributary of the River Nore, and traversed by the road leading from
Ballynakill to Ballyragget.'' There was a local tradition, 7 that as the
parish went by the denomination of Ros Chonaill L-i Alordha, rendered
the Ross of Connell O'More, he was supposed to have been its forixier
])ropnetor.
On Glebe townland there is a ruined church 80 ft. in length, of which
the part erected in 1646 •'^ makes 36 ft. The western or (jld part is
20 ft. wide; the eastern or new part as it is called is iS ft. six inches
in width ; both portions were separated by a standmg gable in 1839.9
Then the west gable was levelled to the ground. At the distance of 38 ft.
from the west end and in the south wall, there was a pointed door-way
5 ft. 10 ins. high, and 3 ft. 6 ins. wide on the inside ; it was 6 ft. 3 in. ,10
and 4 ft. 4 in. wide on the outside." In the middle gable there is an
archway about 11 ft. in height and also in width, budt with well cut
stone. The site of an old castle was shown on this townland, and a
moat is near it. The living of Rosconnell was a rc-ctory in the
Diocese of Ossory, and valued with Attanagh at /40S, in the patronage
of the bislio]).!-
In the Clarmallagh section of the parish there is an old castle in
ruins on the north bank of the River Nore.^s In the Fassadinin section
of this parish an old castle is likewise to be found. In 1S31, the popu-
lation of Rosconnell was 7<)5, and with one exception, in 1834, the
parishioners were all Roman Catholics. ^4 In 1S41 the population
of the Fassadinin section was 393, living in 67 houses ; that of the
Cuhenagh section was 23. living in 3 houses ; and that of the Clarmallagh
section, — living in 76 liou>es. The tithe composition was formerly
1 This portion contains 1,214(1. 2 y. dated ^lountrath, November 30th, 1S38,
34 /). in " Letters containing Information
- This portion contains 214 a. o ;-. 20 p. relative to tlie .\ntiquities of the Queen's
■' Shown on the " Ordnance Surve\- County, collected during the Progress
Tiiwukind Maps for the Queen's County," of the Ordnance Survey in 183S," vol. i.,
Sheets 29, 30, 35. pp. 103 to i(\;.
' 'this portion contains 701 rt. I r. 25 •/'. ^^ Tliis w.is inscribed as the date of
^ This is described on the " Onhianee erectiuu on a tablet inserted in the
Survey Townland Maps for the County frcmt of the south wall over the door.
of Kilkenny," Slieets 1,5. '' .Vs described by Eugene Curry.
* The parish of Rosconnell is dc- ^'^ Of which the arch, rounded and
scribed by Eugene Currv in a coiiiniuni- flat, made 6 inches.
cation, dated Ballyragget, 20th .\u;usi, i^ Diagrams of this door-way and of
1S39, in " Letters containing Informa- some windows in the Church are given
tion relative to the -\ntiquities of the by Eugene Curry.
County of Kilkenny, collected during i- See " The National Gazetteer,"
the Progress of the Ordnance Survey in vol. iii., p. ,14.
iS^O." Vol. i., pp. -jj to S2. 1^ See " Ordnance Survey Townland
■According to Eu-;eue Curry. See Ma]^3 for the Queen's County," Sheet 33.
ibid. Thomas O'Connor has written also 1* See " Parliamentary Gazetteer of
an accouiit of this parish in a letter Ireland," vol. iii., p. 174.
PARISH OF ROSEXALLIS. 3O9
valued at ;jri43 is. 6id.; the glebe at £12'^ 15s. In the Catholic arrange-
ment it is "united with Ballyragget. Near the old church was Lady's
Well at which a patron was held on the 15th of August and on the 8th
of S'jpteniber in the beginning of the last century.
CHAPTER XLV.— Parish of Rosenallis.
This parish, situated within the barony of Tinnehinch, is of considerable
extent, I containing 14,118a. 3r. 5/>. The River Barrow runs along
its northern boundary ; the Owenass rivulet flows along its southern
boundary, while the Murgrash rivulet passes through the interior ; all
of those water-courses running in an easterly direction.^ The summit
ridge of Cappard forms the western boundary, and lifts its loftiest
ground, the Antonian [Mountain, to an altitude of 1,144 ft. above the
sea-level. Numerous small streams descend its eastern slopes, and fmd
their way, through broken and romantiC' glens, into one or other of the
streams already mentioned. This parish has been noticed by John
O'Donovan in the Ordnance Survey Records. 3
Although commonly denominated Rosenallis, the proper name of
this Union is Oregan ; 4 and it consisted of four parislxes, episcopally
united in tlie Protestant Established Church, until after the middle
of the last century. This union embraces the parishes of Rosenallis,
Castlebrack, Rearymore, and Kilmanman, extending over the whole
barony of Tinnahinch. This parish contains the prettily-situated
village of Rosenallis on an elevated site, near the mountain slope. The
chief part of IMountmelhck town also lies within its bounds. The village
of Rosenallis 3 is about three miles west-north-west from the town of
Mountmelhck, on the high road between Dublin and Birr. The ancient
Irish name seems to have been Ros-Finnghlaise.t' It contains an old
church in ruins, and said to have been dedicated to the Virgin i^Iary.7
However, we are informed, that in the beginning of last century, the
inhabitants observed the ist of February as a festival in commemoration
of their patroness.^ Hence, we may infer, that she was the Irish St.
Brigid ; and Rosenallis is situated in the diocese of Kildare, of which
she is the special tutelar saint. In the year i8ig, a round tower con-
1 It is shmvn on the " Ordnance fiftli century." — \Villiain Shaw IMason's
Survey L'uwnlanil JNIaps for the Queen's " Statistical Account or Parochial
County," Sheets 3, 4, 6, 7, 8. Survey' of Ireland," vol. iii., No. xvi.,
- See " Parliamentar}'- Gazetteer of Union of Rosenallis or Cretan, Diocese
Ireland," vol. iii., p. 177. of Kildare and Queen's County, by the
^ See "Letters containinn Inforraa- Rev. John Baldwin, Curate, sect i., p. 311.
tion relative to the Antiquities of the -' It is shewn on the " Ordnance
Queen's County, collected during the Survey Townland ]\Iap5 for the Queen's
Progress of the Ordnance Survey in County," Sheet 3.
iS3S,"vol. i. Letter of John O'Donovan ''By John O'lDonovan this has been
dated Stradbally, December 8th, 1838, interpreted " the v/oud of the clear
pp. 196 to 201. stream."
* We are told, but most incorrectly: ''See William Shaw ]Mason's " Statis-
" It was ancieutly called Hy-Regan and tical Account or Parochial Survey of
Do-Regan ; Ily and Do being synony- Ireland," vol. iii., No. xvi., Union of
mous in the Irish language, and Rosenallis or Oregan, &c., by Rev. John
importing personal property: so that Baldwin, Curate, p. 319.
Hy Regan means the property of ** A holy well in the vicinity of Rose-
O'Regan, an Irish chieftain, who is said nallis is called " St. Brigid's Well."
to have lived in the beginning of the " From a personal inspection, no
310 IIISTOKV OF THE QUEEN'S COUNTY.
nccted with the ruined church of KosenaHis is said to have remained ;
but being described as a narrow steeple of rough masonry, not so high
or well built as that of Timalioe, and Sir Charles Coote '.' stating it was
not one-third so high, nor evidently built for the same purpose as the
remarkable circular towers seen through the kingdum of Ireland, it is
doubtful if it can be regarded as one belonging to that class. 1°
There arc many interesting relics of antiquity in this parish, and in
others belonging to this luiion, such as old cluu-clics, old castles, duns,
moats, and i)arrows. Roscnallis and Killamban or Kilnemau in the
barony of Tennehinch, had eleven towrdands and 200 acres of glebe,
in 1640. This and Castlebracke parish were in tlie jiatronage of Barnaby
Duiui, Esq., and rated at /15 per annum. Tins parish was worth /6
m the year i()57."
The once nourishing town of ]\Iountmellick is situated partly in the
parish of Ardea i- and barony of Portnahinch, but it lies for the greater
]-)art 13 in the parish of Roscnallis and barony of Tinnehinch. It is
iiuilt on the Owenass rivulet, a tributary of the River Barrow. H The
country around it is low, and largely com})osed of bog and marshy land ; '5
but towards the west, the ground gradually rises towards the acclivities
of Slieve Bloom. The town is of comparatively modern growth, and
its site had been selected for purposes of trade by enterprising English
settlers, about the middle of the seventeenth century. In^ 1660, George
Fox, the founder of the Quakers, visited Ireland, and travelled over
several parts of it, with the results of which he expressed himself as
greatl}' pleased. 16 A community of Quakers — who probably fled from
persecution of the English Government — appears to have established
themselves here, and to have carried on various branches of trade and
industry with great success. During the year 1659, under the direction
of William Edmundson,i7 John Edmundson, Richard Jackson, John
Pirn and sundry others from, the County of Cavan settled in or near
l\lountmellick, and founded a Quakers' meeting, which was afterwards
largely increased. iS William Edmundson was a stout upholder of
the interest of his particular denomination against George Clai)ham,
the rector of Alountniellick in 1665 ; but having the sympathy and
STipport of his neighbours generally, he succeeded in securing toleration
from the Irish Chancellor and Primate Boyle for his congregation. '9
A parochial school of the Leinster Society of Friends was established
in Mountmellick in 17SS. A branch canal extending through Portarling-
doubt, his description has been given. place received the Irish name of
See " General View of the Agriculture Mointaghe r^Ielicke, or " the boggy
and Manufactures of the Queen's lantls of Meelicke," according to Jolia
County," p. 149. O'Donovan.
1" Some yenrs before 1S3S, it was ^'' See his interesting " Journal," at
pulletl down by the minister. vol. ii., pp. loS to 115. Sixth edition.
11 See Sir Cliarles Coote's " General Leeds : 1836, 8\m.
View of the Agriculture and Manufac- i" He came originally from England
tures of the Queen's County," chap, i., for the purposes of trade, and was the
sect. 3, p. 10. lirst of the people called Quakers that
^2 This portion has an area only of settled in Ireland. His journal cou-
58 acres. tains an account of his career. See
*2 This portion comprises 163 acres. John Gough's " History of the People
1* Mountmellick and Its environs are called Quakers, from their first Rise to
seen on the " Ordnance Survey Town- the Present Time," vol. i.. Book ii.,
land Maps for the Queen's County,' chaj:). -dii., p. 302. Dublin, 17S9 to
Sheet 8. 179*-*, in 4 vols., 8vo.
15 Before a town had been on it, tiie 1^ See ibid., p. 320.
PARISH OF ROSKXALLIS. 3II
ton and Monastrevan to the Grand Canal had been opened ni the earher
part of the last century ; and this enabled the manutacturers and trades-
people to transmit and receive goods with great advantage to the town
and locality. This also gave a great impetus to commerce, and con-
siderable quantities of home manufactured artioL'S were inoihiced in the
local factories — woollen cloths, friezes, blankets, rich twilled stuffs,
tabinets, checks, ginghams, corduroys, cottons, bncns. printed calicoes,
sliawls, plaids, &c.,-o were produced from the numerous looms
employed, and weavers constituted a large propoition of the popu-
lation. The weekly wages paid to the workers soon gave Mount-
mellick precedence as the finest market town in the Queen's
County. This created a demand for butcher's meat and agricultural
produce, which encouraged the farmers around to improve their
naturally poor lands and homesteads ; so that scarcely was there
a surplus of cattle, potatoes, grain or vegetables for export on
the canal, it being covered with lumber boats loaded with country
supplies for that flourishing inland town. The city of Dublin — distant
about 42 miles — was largely availed of as a mart for th^- .Alountmellick
manufactured goods ; nay more, fabrics were exported to Eiigkuul,
and orders were furnished in abundance, e\'en iVom its most busy
manufacturing towns, so greatly prized were thdSc articles for their
durability, as also for skilful and tasteful manipulation.
In the neighbourhood of the town — ^which contains many fine shops
and dwellings — there were several seats of gentry, traders, and manu-
facturers during the eighteenth and beginning of the iiinetei nth century.
Coaches from Dublin to Birr passed through it, and passenger boats plied
daily on the canal. The streets are laid out in broad regular lines, and
evidences of former prosperity still remain in some fme public buildings,
sucli as the Protestant Church for Rosenallis Parish, the Cathohc Church,- 1
a Court House, the Dispensary, Banks, Schools, a house of worship
for the Society of Friends, as also a chapel for the Primitive and Wesleyan
Methodists. In the year 1770, the Catholic Parish of IMountmellick
was erected, and besides the town it included portions of Rosenallis,
Castlebrack and Coolbanagher.--
In 1S31, I\Ioimtmellick contained 4,577 inhabitants ; and of these
3,196 lived in Rosenallis parish, while only 1,381 lived in Ardea Parish.
In 1834, Messrs. J. and D. Roberts, from Anglesea, established an iron
and a brass foundry here, on an extensive scale ; it gave employment
to about forty persons. Here was carried on for some years the manu-
facture of steam and locomotive engines and machinery m general. -3
In 1837, the weaving of cotton alone gave employment to about 2,000
jH'rsons in the town and neighbourhood. *4 An iron and a brass loundry
was at this time working ; a macliine faclory, a tan-ydrd, a distillery,
1^ See ibid., vol. ii., book iii., chap. xx. interestins,' rc-ttirn by the Protestant
-0 Among the chief local numufac- curate, Peter Westerna, April 25th,
turers were the Messrs. Beale, Pirn, and 1766, of the names of Papists, men and
Miller. women heads of families, with the
21 The Catholic parochial district of number in each family, within the town
Mountmellick has a Chapel of Ease at and liberties of ?iIountmellick. The
Castlebrack. Catholics tlien numbered 508 persons.
22 See INhDSt Rev. Michael Comerford's 23 gee Lewis' " Topographical Dic-
" Collections relating to the Dioceses of tionary of Ireland," vol. ii., p. 395.
Kildare and Leighlin," vol. ii., pp. 247 24 This manufacture was largely
to 2=;t;. In this account we have an carried on by the IMessrs. Dunnf.
312 HISTORY OF THE QUEEN S COUNTY.
ft
soap-houses, potteries, corn mills, breweries, &c., were among the in-
dustries of the town. Two markets were opened each week ; while lairs
were held on February ist, March 17th, ]\Iay 12th, July 20th, August
26th, September 2gth, November ist, and December nth. Around the
town were Inshtown House, Summer Grove and Grange Lodge — all
handsome seats. The Quakers or Society of Friends were then
numerous and influential, being mostly employers of labour ; and indeed
it was quite a pleasing sight to witness the number of artisans and
labourers passing to and from their respective workshops at certain
hours of the day. The roads which radiated from Mountmellick in
various directions were usually covered with carts, drays and vans,
conveying the home manufactured goods to the shops in adjoining,
towns. The promotion of mdustry led to great moral improvement
and home comforts ; the townspeople seemed to be well clad and fed,
nor v.'cre many wholly destitute persons to Ix^ found in Mountmellick.
Unhappily, nearly all those sources of emplnvment for the people have
disappeared of late years, and Mountmellick has ceased to be the
Manchester of the Ouoen's County, as once it was ver}/ generally
designated.
In 1S41, the population nicreased to 4,755,-5 living in 740 houses.-*'
In the Ivosenalhs portion of the town were i^n families, emplo\-ed chiefly
in agriculture ; in manufactures and trade, 417 ; m other pursuits, 130 ;
in directing labour, 404 ; in manual labour, 18S ; dependent chiefly
on property and professions, 37 ; on means not specified, 57.-7 In the
Ardea section of the town were 112 families chiefly employed in agri-
culture ;. in manufactures and trade, 140; in other pursuits, 39; in
directing labour, 135 ; in manual labour, 139 ; dependent chiefly on
property and professions, 5 ; on means not specified, 12.2^^ After the
passing of the Irish Poor Law Act, Mountmellick was selected as the
site for a Workhouse on the 7th of Deceml)er, 1S39. It was designated
the goth in the rank of Poor Law Unions, and it was destined to include
portions of the King's and Queen's Counties. This Union has an area
of 220,968 acr s.-'' Its electoral divisions in the King'.-, County a e
Portarlington,3o Cloneyhurk,3i East Ballvkcan.s^ and West Ballykean,33
in the Queen's County, Mountmellick, 34 Maryborough,3.s Coolban,igher,36
-s Of tliL-se 3,350 were in the Rose- who could read but not write, 214 ; wlio
nallis section, and in the Ardea section could neitlier read nor write, 248. See
1.396. " Parliamentary Gazetteer of Ireland,"
2" Of tliese 514 were in the Ivosenallis vol. ii., p. Su6.
section, and in the Ardea section 226. 29 Jq js-i^ its entire population was
" Among the forep;oing sectional 63,601, and on this, too, the relative
population were : — Males at and above population for the succeeding division
live yLars of age, who could read and is L)aseii.
write, S52 ; who could read but not 3o Population 4,736, elected guardians
write, 231 ; who could neither read nor 3.
write, 338. Females at and above five 3i Population 1,499, elected guardian
years of age, who could read and write, i.
587 ; who could read but not write, 44S ; 32 Population 870, elected guardian i.
who could neither read nor write, 524. 33 Population 1,750, elected guardian
-8 Among the foregoing sectional i.
popuhition were : — Males at and above 3* Population 10,390, elected guar-
five years of age, who could read and dians 4.
write, 241 ; who coukl read but not write, =^> Population 10,378, elected guar-
132 ; who could neither read nor write, dians 4.
211. Females at and above five years 38 Population 2,705, elected guardian
of age, who could read and write, 145 ; i.
PARISH OF KOSENALLIS. --;I3
I]allybrittas,37 Castlebrack,3^ Rosenallis,39 Rcaiymore,-io Clonaslee,-ti
Ballyfin,i2 Mountratli,-!-^ East Uppc woods,44 and West Uppcrwoods.4 s
The number of clecled Guardians is 30, and 10 cx-oplcio Guardians.
The Workhouse was contracted for August i8th, 1S40, to be completed
in February, 1S42 ; to cost £6,915 for buikhng and f-ompletion, and
/i,3Si for fittings and accommodation. It was estimated to lodge
800 paupers. It stood on a site of six acres, and tliij was obtained
at an annual rent of l-^j is. od. The Workhouse was not opened before
the year 1S44. The former prosperity of Mountmcllick has gradually
declined since that time, and with the manufacturers itb skilled artisans
have unhapp)ily disappeared.
During ihe reign of William III., the Rapparees — as the undisciplined
partisans of James II. were called — w^re very numerous and aggressive
about this neighbourhood. A garri--on of 300 regular infantry and 50
cavalry, with a local militia, had been stationed in Mountmellick, in
the beginning of iGqi, when ten or twelve of the English soldiers and
inhabitants were surprised and massacred within a mile of that town/i^
The only vestige of antiquity in or near Mountmellick is an old church
in ruins, about two miles from the town, and it is surrounded by a
graveyard, yet mucli frequented. Tt is popularly called the Ivy Church,
because its walls have been veiled with that creeping plant. Its history
the writer has not been able to investigate.
The Protestant churcli m the village of Rosenallis w^as built in the
year 1797, at a cost of /_,"923 is. 6^d., provided by the parish. It received
the addition of a tower and spire in 1S16, by means of a loan of /230
15s. 4|d., contributed b}' the former Board of First Fruits. The Glebe
House is nearly a mile from it. Besides the Protestant church at this
village, a chapel of ease in the Rosenallis section of Mountmellick was
built in 182S, by means of a loan of £1,384 12s. 3'{d. from the Board
of First Fruits, and the sum of /184 12s. 32d. was raised through the
sale of old materials. In the Roman Catholic arrangement, Rosenallis
is the head of a parish, which also takes in a portion of Rearymore, and
a succession of its pastors is given in the work of the Most Rev. Dr.
Comerford.47 In 10;; i, the ];opulation of this parisfi was 8,463 ; thai
of the rural districts being 5,106. In 1834, the parishioners consisted
of 6,391 Roman Catholics, 1,724 Churchmen, and 193 Protestant Dis-
senters— the latter composed chieily of members belonging to tlie Soc ety
of Friends 4^ and iMethodists. The glebe-house at Camira was a com-
modious building, on an elevated piece of ground, near the village of
RosenaUis ; it had a glebe of 180 acres of land annexed to it, in 1837,
and the church at Rosenallis had been lately repaired at that tune,
b}' means of a grant of £578 from the Ecclesuistical Commissioners.-^y
27 Population 3,087, elected ^'uardiau *'^ Population 2,768, elected guardians
1. " 2.
^sPopuIaiion 1,540, elected guardian I. *'^ Population 3,080, elected guardians
^^ Population 3,128, elected guardian 2.
I- *'' See the account in Walter Harris'
*" Population 3,609, el: cted guardians " History of the Life and Reign of
2. Wilham IH.," Book ix., p. 312.
*i Population 3,186, elected guardian *7 See "Collections relating to the
1. Dioceses of Kildare and Leighlin," vol.
*- Population 3,284, elected guardians ii., pp. 326 to 329.
2. *^ Their meeting house had an at-
*3 Population 7,591 ,'.' ted guardians 3 tendance of 140.
3^4 HISTORY OF THE QUEliN S COL'XTV.
TIr'H, also, the patronaye of tlii^ liN'iny was m ilic i,iU o\ Thomas Kcmmis,
I'^sq. The Society ot Fneiuls had an oiuioscd luuial i^rotiiul lu-ar the
village. Brass coins had been dug u)) a f.'W years i)re\-ionsl3' near Cappard
House. Thes were struck in the reign of James II. so in 1841, theie
were 8,505 residents in this parish ; the number of houses being 1,417.
Of these 4,907 persons belonged to the rural districts, and these Uved
in ^^58 houses. The rectorial tithes were unproiviate in the Dunne
family of Brittas, and were compounded for ^"^05 i()s. iiUl., in the
y.-ar 1S46 ; the parish being then a vicarage and part of the benefice
of Oregan. The living was a rectory and vicarage ni the Diocese of
Kildare, and valued at £575.'^' Tlie vicarial tithe composition was
then /^I32 i8s. 5M., the glebe being valued at /qi 45.52 From the
sustentation fund, the present incumbent has £^^6 per annum. 5^
The chief seats in this parisli are : Cappard House and demesne,
belonging to the Pigott family,.vi Summer (irove, Nut Grove House and
demesne, and Crabtree Farm. Some handsome mansions are built
also, within and near th ' town of jMountmcllick. A fine deposit of
silicious wliite sandstone is found in the neighbourhood of Rosenallis,
and a quarry there was formerly worked, to jn-ocure slabs for chimney-
])ieces, hearths, and architectural ornaments for pul:)lic and private
i)uildings. It gave at one time very considerable employment to stone-
dressers and labourers.
CHAPTER XIAT.— Parish of Shri'le.
At an early j^criod, an ecclesiastical establishment seems to have been
formed in this district, which consists of very good land. The very
small parish of Shrule i or Sruille — sometimes written Shrewl — lies to
the north of Sletty. It verges on the Kiver Barrow to the west, and
it is situated at the north-eastern part of Slicvemargs' Iwrony. The
natives pronounce this denomination, as if it were written Sroohill.
It is remarkable, as Mr. O' Donovan observes, that all the historical
Sruthairs in Ireland have their final letter r changed to I ; although in
the beginning of the seventeenth century, the final r was retained, even
in the Anglicised form.^ Sruthair, also called Sruthair-Guaire,3 was
the ancient name for Shrule, in the barony of SUevemaivy.4 The
patron saint of this parish is called Guaire,3 and h's mcmor\- is still in
the neighbourhood. A well dedicated to him exists near the old church
of Kilgor}-, which was another of his churches. At a.d. 864, Sruthar,
^3 See Lewis' " Topo,2;raphical Die- - See " T.rtters containing Information
tionary of Ireland," vol. ii., p. 529. relative to the Antiquities of the Queen's
f*" See ibid. . County, collected during the Progress of
^1 Sec "The National Gazetteer," the Ordnance Survey in 1S3S," vol. ii.
vol. ii., p. 345. Letter of John O'Donovan, dated Carlow,
52 See "Parliamentary Gazetteer of December 15th, 1S38, p. 42.
Ireland," vol. in., p. 17S. ^ J-'rom the patron saint.
^^3 See "The Irish Church Directory ^ See Dr. O'JJonovan's " Annals of the
and Year Book for 1903," p. 115. Four ^Masters," vol. ii., n. (u.), p. 669.
^* Within the grounds of Cappard ^ Probably Caiaire Beg, \-cnerated at
House, there are several raths. the 22nd of June. See " Martyrology
1 It contains only QS2a. ly. 24/7. It is of Donegal, """edited by Rev. Drs. Todtl
shown on the " Ordnance Survey Town- and Reeves, pp. 174, 173.
land Maps for the Queen's Count\'," '■ Colgan shows Sruthar to be near
Sheet 32. Slebte in his " Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
PARISH oi" shkulp:. 715
Slcbte, and Achadh-Ari^lais, were pluiKlcri,'d by the Osraighi/> In
the year 901, the death of ]\Iaol-poil, Abbot of Sruthair Gnaire is re-
corded.? It would seem, that an abbot, named Caenchomhrac, of
Cill-Easpuig Sanctain 8 and of Sruthar,9 died a.h. ()52.i" These places
are far apart, and whether he ruled over both religions lionses successively
or simultaneously is matter for conjecture. 'Flic massive and once
important structure of Shiiile Castle was erected during the reign of
Queen Elizabeth, by Sir Robert Hartpole, who was appointed constable
of Carlow Castle and governor of the Queen's County.
Shrowle, near Catherlogh, is set down in 1616, as a living belonging
to the treasurer of Leighlin diocese." The preaching curate was Samuel
Mosley, a Bachelor ot Arts, residing in Carlow. Slu"ulc in Slewmargv
consisted of Shmleonly; it was an entire rectory, worth in 1640, /20 jx'r
annum, and in 1657, only £6. The church was then demolished, and there
was no minister. The Lord Protector was the patron. It had eight
small acres of glebe. 12 The parishes of Sleaty and Shrowle, drawn by
John Mason in 1657, have no sub-denominations described. Sleaty
has no church marked on the surface, but it is rc]M"cscnted as contahiing
over 415 acres of arable and pasture land, the joint property of Martin
Skclton, an English Papist, and Ste]:)hen Skclton, an Irish Papist —
probably son to the former — and all this land was forfeited.
The parish of Shrowle belonged altogether to Robert Hartpoole, an
English Papist, who held over 730 acres of land there ; while these are-
described as arable, pasture, and shrub lan.ds. A house or castle is also
represented near the Ri\'er r.arrow.13 There ivx- few eeclesiastic;d
remains at Shrule, but there is a graveyard ^4 near Shrule Castle. In
it are the ruins of an old chajxT and within its na\'e are the tombs ot
the Hartpoles and their connexions. ]\Iany of the inscriptions there
are defaced and illegible.
We find a lithograph, designed and drawn by John Hewetson, of
the tomb of Sir Robert Hartpole of Shrule Casile, 151)4. It represents
the recumbent figure of a knight in armour, with the liands crossed ovei
the breast, a hunting horn on the left side, a cushion under the bared
head, and an animal resembling a dog beneath the feet. On the entabka-
ture there is an inscription in Gothic letters. '5 In four compartments—
in the side presented to view — are four kneeling figures in armour, each
nicT," xi. Feliniarii, De S. Canoco Abbate Barony of Sle\vmar<,'ie, vol. ii., No. 6S,
II. II, p. 313. nearly all the clenominnUoui dc:3cribeil
■^ See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of are to be lound with little alterations.
the Fonr jNIasters," vol. i., pp. ^(^2. 563. ^'' See " Letters containinc; Intorma-
^ At the head of the Dodder Kiver, on tion relative to the Antiqnities of the
the side of the Dublin Mountains. Queen's County, collected during the
^ 'J'his may be a dill'crent place from Prt,'gress of the Ordiianci- Survey in
Sruthair Guairc.-, by which name Shrule 183S," vol. ii. Letter of }<jlin
HI the Queen's County is known. O'Donovau. dated Carluw, Deceniber
1^ See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of 15th, 1S38, p. 41.
the Four Masters," vol. ii., pp. DOS, 669, 1^ It rea'.ls : "If.ltC ];"tCCt l"0bai'tU5
.and nn. (t. u.). bartpolc conci?tnL»ulaiuib C)C c;ubci-=
11 According to the " Liber Regaiis intjb Scptiiaiicnnnonnrio5 mtci'ur 3
Visitationis." OCtObCta lUCCCCClrVii-llU.
12 See Sir Charles Coote's "General i'' This drawing is to l)e seen in the
Viev/ of the Agriculture and Manu- large 410 vohinie of " IMemoirs of the
lactures of the Queen's County," chap. Familv of Grace," by ShelUeld Grace,
i., sect. 3, p. S. " Kbii., I-\S.A., belonging to the Koyal
>3 On General Vallancey's Map of the Irish Academy. Printed in London, 1823.
3l6 HISTORY OF THE OUEEN's COUNTY.
under a canopied niche. On the end, under the feet, is a raised shield,
with the family arms sculp tured.it^
During the eighteenth centur}^ Robert Ilartpole '7 was possessor of
Shrtile Castle, in which he lived ; and, in 1791, he was succeeded by liis
son George Hartpole, who was the last surviving male of that name. His
tragic history is fully and vividly related, by Sir Jonah Barrington.'S
The property he inlierited has since passed through female heirs into
other families.19 The old castle is yet habitable, although it seems
to have undergone various arcliitectural alterations, since the first period
of its erection. The rectories of Shrule and Slatey or Sletty constituted
the benehce of Shrule, in the Diocese of Leighlin.-"
In 1S31, the gross income of the rector}^ was /112 33. id. ; the nett
being £105 15s. 6d. The patron was the dirjccsan ; while the incumbent
held the stijxnidiary curacy 01 Carlow. In 1S31, the population of
this rectory was 372. In 1^34, the Protestants of Shrule parish amounted
to 32, aiid the Roman Catholics to 15S.-1 In tlie Catholic arrangement
it belongs to tlie parish of Arles.22 The titlie composition of Shrule
was £46 3s. id., in 1S37.23 Neither church noi- chapel is in this parish.
The population of Shrule in 1S31 was 1S3, and in 1841, it was only 165,
With 25 houses. -4 This parish — traversed by the road from Athy to
Carlow — contains a large proportion of villa and demesne ground ; the
Itrincipal residences being Annville Cottage, Cherr^'ville House, and
Hollymount House.
CHAPTER XLVII. — Parish of Skirk, or Skeii:ke.
This parish, situated in the barony of Claudonagh, contains 3,337^?.
or. GpJ The road from Borris-in-Ossory to Templemore runs through
it. The land is of a good quality, and very suitable for tillage. Some
handsome scats of gentlemen are within it. This parish is noticed
by John O'Donovan m the (3rdnance Survey Records.^
in Skirk are some antiquities. On the summit of a high hill, there
is a circular area enclosed with a stone rampart and sun-ounded with
a fosse. In the centre of the area there is a pyramidical stone about
6 ft. high, with fragments of several other stones. Towards the eastern
side are the remains of a cromleach, and towards the north there is a
high mound, with a flat summit. These remains have been regarded
as Druidical. Some ruins of the old castle of Garran are likewise to
1" He was married to a sister of the "- See, for an account of it, ]\Iost Rev.
Earl of Aldborough. Dr. Comerford's " Collections relating to
18 See " Personal Sketches and Re- . the Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin,"
collections of His own Times," by Sir vol. iii., pp. 72 to 71.
Jonah Barrington. =■' S';e l.i-wis's " 'J'u|iographical Dic-
^'•^ See Lewis's " Topo.graphical Die- tionury ul Irelinil," vol. ii., p. 553.
tionary of Iv land," vol. ii., p. 555. -' See " Parliamentary Gazetteer of
-" See " The National Gazetteer," Ireland," vol. iii., p. 233.
vol. iii., p. 408. 1 As shown on the " Ordnance Survey
-1 The Protestants of the union Townland Maps for the Queen's
amounted then to 27- ^"'1 the Roman County," Sheets 21, 22, 27, 28.
Catholics to 396 ; and there v/as a pay - See " Letters containing Information
daily school in Slatey. See " ParUa- relative to the Antiquities of the Queen's
mentary Gazetteer of Ireland," vol. iii.. County collected during the Prog'ress of
I'P- -33. -34- the Ordnance Survey in 183S," vol. i.
R()SC()NM£LL CHUUCII.
^;ce |.,i-r .v-'^.
y^ ■.*-.. ^
,...^
t:V *'•■ - ■ -:
_•«• ^'■Svr^.f.- ,'^ -■,;,- -
■- ., -. ;'^., ■ ^'*^Y.v,■.
i». •• '*;
THB AU)AT OF- SKIRKI:.
\'ul. 1.
|u-,-3i
PARISH OF SLEATY OR SLETTY. 317
]k' seen. 3 In the \\';ir ibyy, Skeirke — then in l.Ipper Ossory — had
thirteen townlands. and it was an impropriate viearage, worth £25
per annum. It had no minister at that time, nor chnrch.4 The Pro-
testant church here was built in 1831, by means of a loan of /461 los. gd.
from the Board of First Fruits. That year the population of this parish
was qii, while the attendance there was reported as 50 persons. In
icS ;4, the Roman Catholics of the parish numbered 896, and the Pro-
testants were 27.5 In 1837, ^^^ tithes amounted to /135, of which £qo
were payable to the impropriators, and the remainder to the \'icar ;
while the glebe comprised iS8:c acres. As applotted under the Tithe
Act, this parish comprised 1,922 statute acres.
In 1841, the inhabitants grew to 1,056, living in 172 houses. Tins
living was a vicarage valued at £377.^ in the diocese of Ossor\'. TIk-
rectory was impropriate in the Corporation of Kilkenny. In 1S40, the
vicarial tithe composition was £45, and the glebe was valued at £344
7s. lod. The gross income was £389 7s. lod., and the nett was ^352
14s. id. The Crown was the i)atron. The incumbent held the Ix'iielice
of Gowran, and was non-resident in Skirk, while a curate received a
salar\' of £"83. x\ccording 10 the Roman Catholic arrangement, Skirk
forms the union with Rathdowney. The highest altitud.e rises to 04O ft.
above the sea level, and this is on the southern border of the parish.
CHAPTER XLVIII. — Parish of Sleaty or Sletty.
So far as we can glean from Irish historic records, one of the earliest
]-eligious foundations m Lcix is that of Sleibhte, now called Sletty. This
parish has been described b\' John O'Donovan in the Ordnance Survey
Records.^ The following account will introduce us to its history.
It is related in his Irish Life,^ that St. Patrick spent a Sunday at
Domnach-mor, of Magh Reta. It has been assumed, that the plain so-
called is identical with Magh-Rechet, or Magh-Riada,3 which, according
to Ke'V. Dr. Geoffrey Keating, was within the territory of Laoighis or
Laise,4 although, if we rely on a statement contained in a Preface to the-
Feilire-Aenguis, its position was ratliL^r within the bounds ol Offalv.
A very great authority on Irish topoL;raphy,S and one, too, very wcI!
Letter of John O'Donovan, dated, (.'allow, Dcceinlier 15th, 1838, jip. 21
Mountrath, No\'einber ."'Stli, 1S3S, pp. to 40.
91, 92. - Translated into English by Willi:iui
•' See Lewis's " Topograjilucal Diction- JM. Hennessy. See Miss ]\L F. Cii.-ael.'.--.
ary of Ireland," vol. ii., p. 55O. •" Life oi St. Patrick, Apostle of Irelaml,"
* See Sir Charles Coole's ." ('.• neral pp. 464, 46^.
View of the Agriculture and }dann- ^ At an carh' period of Irifh b.istory,
factures of the Queen's County," cbai). i., and atUT A.iNI. -756, this phini \\a?
sect. 3, p. 8. .. kared of its woods. See Vv. Lkollrey
■'See "Parliamentary CTazetieer of Keatiu'-j's " Grneral History of Ireland ;"
Ireland," vol. iii., p. J37. tlook i., p. 15,5. Derniocl O'Connor's
'' Sei; the " Mational Cazetteer," vol. translation ; l3iilly's edition,
iii., p. .'179. ■'Also called l.eise K'iad.a. At Cain-
'• See " Letters contaiuiui:; lufornuition thine, within this distric"., Laoi',;hseach
relative to the Antiquities of the Chieen's Cean ^lore, .son to Connall Cearnach,
County collected durin.L; the Pro^^ress of .gained a f^real victory over the
the Ordnance Survey in 1838," \'ol. ii. r^Iomonians. See ibid., p. 270.
^i.etter of John (VDonovan, dated. ■"■ The celebrated Irish schol.nr, Jolin
31'^
III'^TORY OF THE OUEKN S COUNTY.
;!cquainted with tlic special disUicL he ahudcs lo lor idcntitication, has
stated, that Magh-Reichcat, which ho seems to confound with Magh-
Kiada, is now called in English Morctt, a manor in the barony of Portna-
hinch, near the Great Heath of Maryborough, in the Queen's County.
This lay near the northern border of Leix, in the territory of Ofialy.^
IMagh-Kiada is said to have been the ancient name of a plain in
Laoighis, within the present Queen's County. It contained the forts
of Lec-Reda and Rath-I-'acain,? and the churcli called Domnach-mor.^
In our annals, the plain of Magh-Reichcat is manifestly distinguished
from that of Magh-Riada ; for, in the year of the world 3,520, according
to the computation of the Septuagint, lioth of these plains arc, stated
to have been cleared for the first time."
]Many particulars, contained in the foregoing accoimt, ap))ear to be
legendary and confused ; nor docs it seem probable St. Patrick delayed
in that }:)art of the country until St. Fiacc had moved from Domhnach-
mor to Sletty. Consec]uently, it is not likely the Irish Apostle entered
the territory of Leix. lie passed southwards, however, on his missionary
career, and along the eastern bank of the Barrow, gazing with admiration,
we can have no doubt, on the magnificent ranges of the Slievemarigiie
ridge, in the territory of the Hy-Barciie, and with a prescient forecast
of mind, regarding the triumph of Christianity which should take place,
when St. Fiacc and his disciples had established their monastery within
its bounds. And, in a short time, religious foundations were gradually
formed, in various eligible sites throughout the whole Leixian district.
St. Fiech afterwards resided for some considerable time at Domnach-
Fiec, whicli ai'])ears to have been icieniical with Domhnacli-mor,'"
O'Dmiovaii, who spent, some of his early
^■L•al■s in the Heath Jhuise, a line
mansion, \\lnch was lormerlv tenanteil
by Myles John O'lieilly.
•^ This appears certain, Irom the known
circumstance of CoolbanaQher Church
lying within its bounds. The following
IS an account given by Mr. O'Reilly, in
his " Chronological .Account of nearly
h'our Hundred Irish Writers," pp. liii.,
liv., when treating of the celebrated St.
-Engus, the Cnldee : — " He wrote a
l-clirr, or fTierolcgy, in Irish verse,
giving an account of the festivals ob-
served in the Church in his time. The
rciinsccid, or i-ireliniinary discourse,
preli.xed to this piTlormauce, gives the
pedigree of the author, through seyeral
generations, by which it a])pe.irs he was
descended from Caelbach, King of lUster,
\vho defeated and killed Muiredhach
lireach, monarch of Ireland, at the
battle of Port Righ, and succeeded him
on the throne. The rcinisccul gives the
time and place in which the autfior wrote
this poem." After quoting a portion of
this ycimsccul in Irish, tlie following
translation is given : " There are four
co-necessaries 111 cver\' learned treatise,
i.e., place, tune, ])erson, and cause ot
writing. Therefore, the place of this
piece was first (Til Banaghar, in the plain
oi Reeliet, m the country of / Fai/j^e, or
(TTaly, and its revi'^al in i'ainhlacht
(now Tallaght, near Dublin) ; or else 111
Chun i^Mhn.ich it was begun, and. in Cul
Banagher it \\as 'inished and revised
in Tallaght."
■^ W'e are informed in the Irish Life,
that while St. I'alrick was in Tdagli Ret;!,
the ]ieople were engaged in building on a
Sunday, i^atli Baccan, the royal fort of
the district. I^atrick wished to prevent
this, but no heeil was taken of his rc-
nmnstrances. Then he said : " Its
building shall be troublesome, unless
' offering ' be done there every day."
He also said, " This fort should not be
inhabited until the wind (uactli) should
C(jme from the lower part of hell." This,
it is added, was Guithmi, sou of Cinaed,
who rebuilt the fort in the time of
Fecthlimidh and of Conchobhar in Tara.
The latter portion of narrative is very
enigmatical. See Colgan's " Trias
Thaumaturga," Vita Tripartita S.
Patricii, pars, iii., p. 155.
^ See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the
Four ^Masters," vol. i., pp. S4 to 2>7 ^'"1
n. (d.).
■' Ibid.
"^ Arciidall, however, makes it identi-
cal with Sletty. See " Rlonasticon Hiber-
nicum," p. 596-
PARISH OF SLEATY OR SLF.TTV. ]ig
and to have been situated somewhere within the ]')resent county of
Carlow. There he remained until three-score of his disciples died. An
angel then appeared to him, and said, " It is on tlie west of the river
(Barrow) in Culmaighe, thy place of resurrection shall be." He likewise
told Fiacc, that their church must be built where a hind should be met,
while their refectory ought to be erected where they should meet a boar.
Fiacc then told the angel he was unwilling to go thither, until St. Patrick
had marked out the boundary of his place, and had consecrated it, so
that he might obtain its possession. To this proposal the Irish Apostle
assented ; he hxed the spot, as Crimthan, son of Enna Ceinn-selach,
King of Leinstcr, a convert, had presented it to him. There St. Fiacc,
as we are told, was afterwards ordained " — most probably consecrated —
bishop, and there also reposed in after time the remains of Crimthan.
This king had persecuted the Ui-Ercan, and forced them into exile.
From their tribe was descended the i>niiLicJis, or monks, that settled
in Hy-Crimthann, a portion of Laeighis, now included in the present
barony of jMaryborough east.12 To this tribe, Fiacc, with his four
brothers, Acngus or Eochaidh Guineach, Ailill Mar, Conal and Etirsel
belonged, while their father is denominated the son of Ere. Through
St. Patrick's interference. King Crimthan is said to have given St. Fiacc
the fifth part of his father's possessions, together with the land, on which
Sleibhte v/as built. '3 The position of this church is one mile north'-*
of Carlow town, but on the west side of the Barrow, and its graveyard is
on a sloping site, some little distance from the river-bank. The historic
and descriptive notices given by Archdall ^5 are very brief, and some-
what inaccurate ; for he states, that all St. Place's disciples rest here.^^ St.
Patrick bestowed on him some sacred furniture, including a ministerial
l)(-'l], the Epistles of St. Paul, and a pastoral staff.'"
Although such a benefactor to the Irish Apostle as to bestow sites
for innumerable churches within Hy-Cennselaigh, and although he had
endowed St. Fiacc's Church at Sletty, it is stated that King Crimthan
was killed, in 465, '^ ^y the brother, Eochaidh Guineach, '9 to avenge
the exile of his family. This, however, seems to conllict with other
accounts ; for Crimthan is related to have killed Oilioll Molt, at the great
Battle of Ocha,2o in 478, and after the latter monarch had L-njoyed the
" In a subsequent passage, this event torum Hiberuia'," xxv. Januarii, Do
is fixed after St. Patrick had founded B. Paulo Ereniita, caj). iii., ji. 106.
cfiurches and estabhshments iu Lenister, '^ See Colgan's " Trias Thaumaturf^a,"
and had given his blessing to the people Septima Vita S. Patricii, pars, hi., cap.
of Ui-Cenuselaigh and of Leinster. xx., p. 152.
'- See Dr. O'Donovan's " Leabhar-na- ^'^ See Dr. O'Donovau's " Annals of
gCeart, or the Book of [•'iglUs," p. 216, the Four Master-,," vol. i., pp. 146, 147.
n. (ci.). i'-* He is called one of the Ui Bairrche,
13 Hence, it would seem, that Mac Ere the descendants of Daire Barrach,
either originally held land west of the second son of Cathair Mor, ^Monarch of
River Barrow ; or it may be, that having Ireland, in the second century. They
l.ieen driven into exile from its eastern were seated in the barony of Slieve-
side, he retired into the district of Hy- mariguc in the Queen's County, while
Bairche, where he was alloweil to acquire they also possessetl some aiijoining
landed property and a residence. districts. See Dr. O'Donovan's " Li'alj-
1* Archdall lias it west. har-na-gCeart, or Book of Rights," n.
I'' See " Alonasticon Hibernicum," p. (k.) p. 21J.
596. 2° Thus the matter is stated, in that
"5 For this he quotes Colgan, who has ancient historical tract, called
no such statement. See " Acta Sane- " Borumha-l-aighean."
320 HISTORY OF THE QUEEN S COUNTY.
sovereignty of Ireland for twenty years.-' Again, tl:ie deatli of Criom-
tliann, called King of Leinster, is found referred to 484, when he was
mortally wounded by Eochaidh Guineach,-^ of the Ibh Bairrche, wlio
was assisted by the men of Aradh Cliach,-3 a part of Idrone, in the County
of Carlow. He also took part in the Battle of Cill Osnaigii, now KelHston,
fought in 489, and where Eithne, the hateful, daughter of Criomthann
was slain, with her husband Aengus Mac Nathfraeich, King of I\Iunster.24
Eochaidh Guinech was a warrior on the victorious side of Muircertach
Mac Erca, King of Royal Ailech.
The situation of the church at Sletty was on the White Plain,
according to Ussher ;-5 but we incline to (.loul-it his authority on this
matter, as the place so designated was rather n.'ar Old Leighlin. A
short description and an engraving of the ruins at Sletty will be found
in the " Dublin Penny Journal " of 1834. ^tJ After the death of St.
Fiacc, about the close of the fifth or the beginning of the sixth
century, we find few accounts of his church, and of that monastery he
there established. In 6g8 is entered the dc-iih of Aedh,-7 Anchorite
of Sleibhte.-S In S62, Brocan, son of Comlisudh, Abbot of Slebhte,
died. -9 In 864, Sruthar Slebhte was Inirned by the people of Ossory.3^^
In 1055 we find recorded, the death of Maelbrighde Ua Maelruain,
airchinnech of Slebhte. 31 These are the annalistic entries we meet with
to illustrate its records.
After the suppression, we have ari account of the focality, in virtue
of a commission appointed by King James I., and dated 22nd of June,
1615. Owin.i: to this inquisition — in common with other places through-
out Ireland — ^ we have information regarding denominations, state,
repair, or condition of the several churches, wilh their incumbent's and
vicar's names or qualiiications, the nature and valuu of the living, besides
other particulars respecting the deaneries o! heighlin diocese, within
tlie former boundaries of heix.3'
From Carlow, the following return was furnished on the 5th and
6th of July, 1615, wlien the vuhie of Sletic K-ctorv is set down at £"8.
Tlie Rector was Walter Skelton. In the year 1640, this parish was
worth £15 per annum ; while in 1657 its value fell to /6 onlv, and it had
no minister. 33 It was an entire rectory, however, and the Common-
wealth enjoyed its profits. The old church, then disused, was allowed
to fall mto the present picturesque ruin. In a trace of " Slewmargigli
Barony in ye Oueene's County," 34 bv Johi^ Mason, Sleatie parish is
marked out, yet without its church. The living of Sleaty was a rectory
-1 See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of AntiiiiiitatL'S," cap. xvii., p. S'xj, Fhib-
the Four j\Iasters," vol. i., pp. 14S to 151. lin edition.
-- His father jMac Ere was married to -'' See vol. iii., Xo. 1I.'^, p. 112.
a dau.i^hter of this King Crimthan, and' 27 ^\i-chdall, quotin;^ Ward, p. 158,
conseipiently tliis latter was slain by his states that his feast was held ou tha
ov.n .i^randson. 12th of October.
-'See the " Chronicum Scotorum," ^^ Sgg Dj-^ O'Donovan's "Annals of
cdi'.ed by William M. Hennessy, the Four Masters," vol. i. ])p. 290 to 301
M.R.E.A., pp. 30, 31. -'■'See ibid., pp. 49S, 499.
-'See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of ^^ See ibid., pp. 500, 51)1.
the I'oiir blasters," vol. 1., pp. 152, 153, ^i g^e ibi'/., vol. ii., pp. S6S, S69.
and un. (n.o.). " The Chronicum ^- In the " Liber Regahs Visitationis,"
S( niorum " places this battle at A.D. ^^ 5^2,^ gi,- (j;i^^[-[es Coote's " Statistical
4.S7. Survey of the ( )ueen's County," chap. i..
-^ See " Eritannicarum Ecclesiarum sect. 2., p. 13.
' • 1
,.' jS^
r
1Q
#1'
PARISH OF STKAI'.Oli. 32I
ill the Diocese of Leii^hlin, united with Shiule ; both unions lyin,ij; west-
wards of the River Barrow. 35 The town ol Sleatygraiguc is muted
1)\' a substantial bridge to the town ol Carlow.
In the hst of " Popish Parish Priests " wlio were registerctl at a
" General Sessions of the peace held at the Tholsi-l, the i.Uli <->f J^ilV'
1704,'' we find the name "Walter Skelton," d. scribed as "residing in
liridge Street, aged 40, pretended to be Parish Priest of vSt. Peter's,
ordained in 168S by James Whelan, titular bishop of Ossory, at Kilkenny,"
had for his " sureties " Laurence Eustace of High Street, merchant, £50 ;
and Patrick Dooling of Fishamble Street, £30. This distinguislied
])riest died in Dublin on the 31st of October, 1737, but with his ancestors
departed his remains were deposited in Sletty.3t' An ancient tumulus
or arched receptacle for the ashes of the dead was discovered in a held
adjoining the cemetery early in the last century ; and it was found to
contain a number of earthen vessels or antique urns and arranged in
rows, while eacli ura was covered with a small round Rag. 37 While
the Very Rev. James Taylor, D.D., was President of Carlow College,
he founded an auxiliary institution for the education of lay students,
upon the Termon of Sletty, and adjoining the old church. It is finelv
situated on the banks of the River Barrow, and it is known as the College
of St. Mary. In the Catholic arrangement, Sletty is included within the
p.uish of Killesliin.3!^
CHAPTER XLIX.— Parish of Straboe.
This parish lies north-east by north, about 2;V miles from ?iIaryboroiigh
town, and in the barony of Maryborough East. Its name is locally jno-
nounced Straboe — with the accent on the last s\ilable — and its English
c(|ui\'alcnt is said to be the Strath or Holme of the Cows.^ Sometimes
it is called Shane or Shean. On the old map of l.eix and Offiily, Strnlw.
and Shian are both marked. The northern ]:)art of the Great Heath
of Maryborough was in the barony of Portnahinch, while the southern
part was in that of Maryborough East. The line ran between them
across Rathshane. Killeny was in Leix. The old church of Straboe
is now in ruins, a graveyard surrounding it. Only one ivy-capped gable
stands beside the juiblic road, with a few fragments of side wall>. On
the great Heath of IMaryborough, now a commonage, there is a remark-
able rath, which measures forty- three yards in diameter. It lies on
the boundary line of Straboe and Coolbanagher parishes. It is called
Rathshane ^ on the Ordnance Survey Townland M,i]is for the (Queen's
County. 3
When Lord i\Iortimer usurped the lands of Leix, 4 he found it necissary
^' This MaTj has no date attached. Kildare and Lei':;hhn," vol. iii., ji]"). 248
'■'•' See " The National Gazetteer," vol. to 2(1-.
iii., p. 48^. ' Thoiuas O'Conor writes it in Irish
■•'' See Karris' Ware, vol. ii., " An- Sii^t bo. See " Letters containin.2:
tiquities of Ireland," (liap. xxxvi., p. 25 s. Ininrniation relative to the Antiquities
■'^ See " Dublin Penny Journal,'' vol. ol the (Jneen's County, collected during
iii., No. 118, p. 112. the Pro.^ress of the Ordnance Survey
'■^^ Much additional information re- in 1838," vol. ii. Letter dated, Strad-
garding Sletty may be found by bally, I^ecemlier 6th. 1838, p. 179.
ooi^sulting Most Kev. Dr. Comerford's - Thomas O'Conor writes it in Irish
" Collections relating to the Dioceses of Uac slie.\i;.Mii, i.e., " Shane's " Kalh. in
V
322 HISTORY OF TH1-: OUEKN'S COUNTY.
ft
to build a castle at Slican ; ;nul this sccnis lo have been one ol the cij^lit
castles afterwards taken by l^ysach O'Moorc, who recovered l\is fonnrr
territory. In the year 1397, ^^^ right of his wife Margaret, Sir Robert
Preston 5 insiituled the Planer of Shcan, and as being dejx-ndant on
Dunaniase, dni-ing thf various revolutions, it shared the fate of the
princijial fortress. The former castle, at Shean, was situated on a
commanding site ; but, it fell into a state of decay during latter centuries.*^
Struthboe or Strabot; in i(>57 had thirteen townlands, and it was an
impropriation worth £45 per annum in 1640; the parsonage was ihen
valued at /30 ; the vicarage at /15 ; while it was valued at /15 in 1057 5
the whole one-third part was then let for use of the commonwealth.
The patron was Sir Robert King, Knight. 7 Shaync Castle is marlced
on the engra\'ed Maj) of the Down Survey, on which is also written
Shraghboe. The castle here was taken by the insurgents m the war of
1641, but in the iollov.'ing year it was surrendered to Sir Charles Coote,
from whom it was retaken In' Owen Roe O'Neil. In 1650 it finally
siuT'endered to Colonels Hewson and Reynolds, who demolished it.s On
Sir William Petty's Maps, Shrughboe Parish, with Shayne Castle 9 and
Kilminie House are represented. This and Kiltealy Paiish consist of
unforfeited lands. 1° On Shane Hill, in Shane townkuick'' there was
formerly an old castle, and its ruins were traceable, i- although now
utterly demolished. It was afterwards rc-edified, and embellished
at great expense by Dean Coote, who converted it into a delightful
residence. After tlu^ middle of the last centtuy, Arthur Young, an
intelligent English traveller, describes this part of the country as being
remarkable for the numerous manufactures and industries of the in-
habitants, and altogethei' irrespective of their agricultural pursuits. ^3
Nearly all of these handicrafts have since disappeared, and the earth
products are sadly diminished.
When Sir Charles Coote wrote his " General View of the Agriculture
and Manufactures of the Queen's County," m 1801, there was a famous
well ; 14 but when, thirty years later, John O' Donovan lived ^S m Straboe
parish, he could fmd no " holy well '' there, nor one notable for any
other property.!'^ In 1S31, the population amotmtcd to 2,176 ; in 1834,
the Protestants were 64 in number, and the Catholics 2,175 ; while in
Historical
,e\vis s
land."
his Letter dalccl, Strailhally, IJeccnibor
Oth, 1.S3S, ]\ 1S4.
•' See 'sheet 13.
'' See Sir John Davis's
Tracts."
■'' I lis Castle is called Sliara, i
" 'ropugraphical DictMUiry ot
vol. li., p. S77-
" See Sir Charles Coote's " Cuie.ral
View of the Agriculture a ad Alanu-
iactures of the Queen's Cnuntv," chap.
IX., seel. 4. p. 137.
■^ Ibid., cha]:). i., sect. 5, ]>. <;.
** See Lewis's " TojiDei'.i-plucal l^ic-
tionary of Ireland," vol. 11., ;>. 577.
'■^ The Kev. Edwanl Lcdwieh has
furnished some notices of Shane Castle,
in General Vallancey's " Collectanea de
Rebus Hiliernicis," vol. li., No. vi.,
sect. 3, pp. 15S, 159.
1" See Creneral Vallancey's copv of
Sir William Petty's Majjs now pre-
served in I'aris, vol. ii.. No. 04, Irish
Record O'Jice, Dublin.
" SiTJe.xn is Thomas O'Conor's Irish
writing of it.
>'-'()'i tile Name B'.ok of Straboe
Parisli. p. 23, this is slalt'd.
*''Sl'c "Tour in Ireland."
'■• Si-.' elia]:). xi., sect. 4, p. 137.
'■"' In iht; ileatli House.
"' In his notes to Thomas O'Conor's
Letter, dated Stradbally, December 6th,
iS^iS, in "Letters containing Informa-
tion relative to the Antiquities of tlu
Queen's County, collceted during the
l^'rogress of the Ordnance Survey in
1S3S," vol. ii., p. 180.
'■^ See " Parliamentary Gazetteer of
Ireland," vol. lii., p. 282.
PARISH OF STRADBALI.Y.
323
1841, the population was only 2,002, and the houses 341.^7 Some
handsome scats of gentry are in this parish, es})ccially those of Shcan
House, Bloomfield House, Straboe House, Derry, and Knocknagrove.
In 1837, Slral^oe was a vicarage in the diocese of Leighlin, valued with
Maryborough at £485, in the patronage of the bishop. 'S It formed
part of the union of Maryborough, the rectory being impropriate in
William Lewes, Esq. The tithes amounted to £300 ; of which /200 was
payable to the impropriator, and /lOO to the vicar. In the Roman
Catliolic divisions, this parish forms part of the union of Maryborough. '9
In 1846, the rectorial tithes were compounded for /J184 12s. 3. Id., and
the vicarial tithes for /g2 (js. 2d. The parish was applotted under the
Tithe Acts for 5,335 statute acres, but the measured area is 5,7573. 2f. 31/'. ^
the surface comprising a large quantity of bog, and consisting, in general,
(if only indiif'ereut land.
CHAPTER L. — Parish of Stradb ally.
The town of Stradl)a]ly is nearly surrounded l)y linrlv curved and warmly
tinted hills. Its two chief streets are very spacious ; and a fine bridge
with three arches spans the river flowing througli it,i while the roadway
and parapets are continued a considerable length to an extensive pond
wliirh works a fine water-power mill,- built on a paddock inter
vcning. Again, there is a submerged arch, to allow free passage to tlie
higher water of the mill-race, having dams for overflow, 'this is a
delightfully situated town, which gives name to the barony, and which
has its situation about five miles eastwards from jMary borough, thi?
chief town of the Queen's County. Formerly it was included in the
ancient parish of Ougheval, also called Ochmills ; and onl}' since the
seventeenth century it had a distinctive parochial name.
Immediately on the right side of the road leading from Stradbally
to Carlow, flie ]M"escnt enclosed graveyard of Ougheval and the singular-
looking erection, which has risen on the site of a very early church,
may be seen, and about half-a-mile south-east from the former town.
Formerly, this spot, to which allusion is made, was called Tulach-mic-
Comgail. The Irish denominations of Tulla, Tulach, Tullow, Tullagh,
or Tully, designate a " little hill ; " 3 and, connected with the j^resent
compound, it signifies, that the son or sons of Comgail had some con-
nection with this locality. Near this site ran what was formerly called
the Ballaghmore, or " great road," 4 which led from Stradbally to Carlow,
early in the eighteenth century. Ougheval is now only a townland,5
'^ See "The National Gazetteer," and litt'-cl up with machinerv for a
vol. 111., ]). 5()5. fiour-mil). After this gentlenian'.s
'-'See f,e\vis's " Topo';raphical IMc- deatli, Abraham Shackleton, Esq., T.C.
tionary of Irehiud," vol. 1., p. 576. Dublin, resumed the business. It has
1 See "Parliamentary Gazetteer of since been u.sed for malting purposes-
Ireland," vol. iii., p. 283. ^ See Dr. Patrick W. Joyce's " Origin
- Originally this was built as a cotton and History of Irish Names and Places,"
factory, and it gave eni]>Ioyment to over part iv., ehaji. i., j). 375.
200 worki-rs in the first quarter of the ' It has ior lijug years back been
last century. When this industry, superseded by the new road, which
untler the direction of a ]\Ir. Calcutt. debouches (iver the mountain range,
ceased, the Iniilding was taken pos- by what is locally calleii the Windy Gap.
session ol by j\lr. Kichard Ledbeatter, ^ It contains :,2/:i. \r. 20p., while it is
324 HISTORY OF THE QUEEN S COUNTY.
ft
in the parish and barony of Stradbally ; l)nt. it was formerly the head
of a parish, merged in later times, under the denomination of Stradbally,
when the latter town grew to be a place of greater importance. The
parish church of Ochmills — a name for Ougheval — was deserted, and
it fell into ruin, in the earlier part of the seventeenth century, when
Richard Cosby built a new Protestant Church, in the town of Stradbally.
However, the Cosby family have preserved a vaulted enclosure, beneath
the deserted church, as their mortuary crypt. ^ Ougheval is still a
favourite place for interment, and used by many of the old families
of Stradbally and its neighbourhood. Many tombs and headstones,
the material for which is taken from the fine marble limestone quarries
near this place, are spread over the surface of that very ancient cemetery.
The former name for Ougheval was Ua-Congbail 7 or Nuadh Chongbhail,^
which signifies "nova habitatio," or "the new habitation," 9 This
denomination is common to several other places in Ireland. The name
Ougheval as given on the Irish Ordnance Survey Map, is an incorrect
Anglicising ; but, it seems to have been derived from Noghwale, as spelled
m the Inquisition. Much more so, the local pronunciation and writing.
Oak Vale — as may been seen in various monumental inscriptions within
this ancient cemetery — is a complete misnomer. The ecclesiastical
origin of this place may be traced l)ack to the sixth century. Con-
temporaneous with St. Fintan,io Abbot of Clonenagh, Hved a certain
young religious, called Columbanus, belonging to the Province of
Leinster." He was also called Colman Mac Ua Laoighse, and descended
from Laoighse, son to Conall Cearnach. His pedigree is given 12 in the
Cenealogies of the Irish Saints,i3 but it is thought to be defective in
several generations. His feast occurs on the 15th of May. This holy man
was a disciple to the great St. Columkille.i4 Colman's or Columban's
church formerly stood within the cemetery of Ougheval ; and the place
was at that time called Druimnetogha — more correctly, Druimtogher,
"the ridge-road " — ])robably from the ancient road, which even in very
olden times ran near this j^lace. He flourished in the sixth century,
and he went to visit St. Columkille, in the Island of lona, while he
remained for some time with the latter holy abbot, before he returned
to Ireland, where St. Columba advised him to take St. Fintan of Clonenagh
as liis sphitual guide. By Adamnan he is called " Columbanus, episcopu^
Lageniensis." We are mformed, that he survived St. Fintan, who it
thought to have died long before the end of the sixth century. ^5 The
original church erected here has long since disa]:)peared, but down to
our own times remained the old caisoil or circular fence of Nuadh Cone-
to be seen on the " Ordnance Survey. ^° His feast occurs on the 17th of
Towailand Map for the Queen's County," February.
Sheet 19. 11 See Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum
'' It is stated, in the " Anthologia Hiberniae," xvii. Februarii. Vita S.
Hibcrnica," that Pole Cosby, Esq., who Fintani, cap. xxii., p. 353.
was lord of the soil, in the beginning of -- Thus : " S. Cohnanus de Druim-
the eighteenth century, converted this netoga, i.e., Nuadh-Chonghmhail, fdius
spot into a family vault. See vol. iv., Lugnoe, iilii Eugenii, lihi Gauri, lilii
p. 1S4. Erci, tilii Beecani, fdii Lugadii, lilii
' In Irish v/ritten tlA Con^bAiL. Laighisii," &c. See ibid., n, 25, p. 354.
8 In Irish written niu\fj (ionslJAiL. ^^ Chapter xxiv.
^According to Father John Colgan. ^* His feast occurs at the 9th of June.
See " Acta Sanctorum lliberni;e," x-c. i^ y^-e Ivev. John O'Hanlon's " Lives
Januarii. Vita S. Fecluni. n. ,•', p. 141. of the Saints," vol. ii.. Seventeenth
OLKiHHVAL, S I I^Al)l^\Ll.^ .
3 -4.
•r/.'^iA-iA
''%c
--jft-
/'//.. /''i /'.I'.l
TANKARDSTOWN CHURCH.
[A'.,', .':■. (VL.
\',.l.
PARISH OF STRADBALLY. 325
l^hail or Ongheval monastery ; it has now been removgd, and even
completely obliterated by the Poor Law Guardians in late years. A
square and tasteless stone wall has been bnilt to enlarge the graveyard's
dimensions; but, it has detracted, also, from the former archaeological
and scenic interest of this place. This vandalism is greatly to be re-
gretted ; nor do our commissioners for the preservation of historic monu-
ments exercise sufficient vigilance or effort, to prevent many similar dila-
})idations in several other parts of Ireland, and which the writer has
witnessed. St. Colnmban was a dear friend of St. Columkille, who pre-
dicted his death at lona ; although he was far away from the great abbot,
and living in this place. ^^ After the middle of the sixth century may bi;
assigned the era — most probable — for Columban's departure to Christ. ^7
The subsequent history of the Cenohium here established cannot be easily
traced ; but, it appears to have been destroyed — perhaps during the
Scandinavian invasions.
Towards the close of Queen Elizabeth's reign, allusion is made to
Noghewale and the ]jallaghmor beside it, as having been in the possession
of Francis Cosby, iS who first came to Ireland in the reign of Queen Mar}-,
and soon after the Queen's County had been erected into Shire-ground.
In this part of Leix, Francis Cosby was assigned large landed possessions,
which he held by military service from the Crown. He was appointed
General of the Kerne of Leix by letters patent, and dated Se]:)tember loth,
1558. He also obtained an extensive grant of lands, whii h were taken
from the O'Moores. He was a valiant captain, but when over seventy
years of age, he was killed with many of the English in 1580, at Glcnmalure
in the County of Wicklow. Although Cosby was the fust to warn his
companions, regarding the danger of penetrating into its fastnesses,
v.'here the Irish forces of the O'Tooles and 0'B3a"nes lay, 3'et he encouraged
that advance. ly The whole English force, under Arthur Lord Grav,
the new Chief Justice in Ireland, was completely overthrown ; while
Cosby was one of the first to fall, bravely contending in the foremost
ranks. '"J
Nowhwall, alias Stradbally, was a Rectory, with residence in 1616." '
The same Thomas Berry and William Hilton, who officiated at Moyanna,
were Rector and vicar. The value of this living was {1^, but the vicar
appears to have had ^fi additional. The church and its chancel wcvc
in good repair, and furnished with books. Alter the church of Ougheval
had been deserted, it is a local tradition, that Pole Cosby rendered
it the nondescript ruin, which it now seems to represent.-- A very
Day of February, Art. i., St. Fintan's Queen Elizabeth, at r\Iarvborougli, and
Life, chap. iv. it bears tlate the 17th of August, i 59O.
i** See Rev. Dr. Reeves' Adamnan's ^^ These particulars are furnished by
" Life of St. Columba," Lil). iii., cap. 12, William Camden, in his " Annales Reruni
and nn. (k. 1.), pp. 212, 213. Anglicanarum et Hibernicarum.regnante
^^ See Colgau's " Acta Sanctorum l-lh^abetha." Pars ii., a.d. mdlxx.x., pp.
Hibernia>," xvii. Febrnarii. Vita S. 309, 310. Lug Batavoruin, 1625, Svo.
Fintani de Cluain-.Fdnech, n. 25, p. 35 t. -"See Dr. 0'13onovan's "Annals of
^s A lustorical notice regarding bol!i the Four Masters," vol. v., pp. 1734 to
places is fouml in the " Inquisitionuni 1739, and n. (d.) ibid.
Cancellaria; Hibernia\" under the head -^ According to " Liber Regalis Visi-
of " Catalogus Inquisitionuni Com' tationis."
Regine, assservatarum in ollicio Ro- -- In his early youth, the writer had
tulorum Cancellariai Hibernian." This this statement from a very intelUgent
document was issued, in the time of old man, whose taniily for generations.
320 HISTORY OF THE QUEEN S COUNTY:
ft
large and a singular stone savcojiliagus is under the cryjit of that old
[luilding. It may be seen through narrow ajxn-tures in the side walls.
This tomb encloses the cofiins of the early Cosbys, from the time of
Alexander, who obtained the Manor of Stradbally, after the death of
his brother Fraiicis. It is now quite filled with their remains. Latterly
the deceased members of that family are interred in the earth, but
within that closed vault ; and the interior has been arranged in a manner
somewhat differing from that seen by the writer in his younger days.
The wall on the south side of the ruin, and running to the west of the
family vault of the Cosbys, is supposed to be coeval with the monument
walls or x'dult raised over their remains. -3 The part of the north wall
to the west of the vault is thought to be of some antiquity, and it has
on the outside at the western extremilv a square tower, apparently of
equal age, attached to it. A part of this tower standing on the north
wall is destroyed. There are some qua<lrangu]ar openings on that
})ortion remaining. The north wall towards tlie vault is nearly pulled
down. From this to the west extremity, it is 24 it. in length. The
monument walls of the vault are at the east end of the ruin. These have
a high stone roof, and towards the west there is a high circular arch.--i
A coved stone ceiling is over it, and the wliolc interior is covered Idv a
heavy mass of masonry, resting on strong buttresses, with end and
side-walls having like characteristics.
The town of Stradbally is situated in a pleasant country, and about
three miles from that JDranch of the Grand Canal leading from ]\Ionas-
terevan to Atliy. Consequently, it is convenient for manufactiu-es, as
the rivulet which runs through the centre of tlie town might be made
to work any mill or factory, and at no great expens;,'. According to
one account, the place takes its name from an ancient ford over the
River Straid,25 which, rising in a part of the Margy Hills, flows into
the River Barrow. =^ It was formerly called SraidbaiJle Laoghise, which
it is said signifies the street town of Leix.-7 It bore this name amonj,'
lived in or near Stradbally, and from
whom, doiibtlfss, he (lurivcd that
information.
-3 On one c^f the side v/alls, and placed
at a consideralde height, looking towards
the south, tluTc is a large slat) insL-rted.
It was necessary to procure a lailder in
(,)rder 1o read the inscription, which is
now almost oliliteraterl, owing to the
fact that nio,-s and lichens have grown
over the surface. After taking great
pains to clear these away, some ten
years ago, the writer perched on the
ladder, and in silu, was only enabled to
note down the Icdlowing portion, some
of the words being illegible to him ; yet,
quite callable of being reco\-ered did
further time yic-rmit : —
" Here hes interred ye Lord Thomas
Douglas, born in Edinburgh.
He lived years in Stradbally Hall with
Alexander Dudley Pole Cosbv.
The monument erected by his friend Polo
Cosby, l^^;.
Psalm 12 V. 0."
"* See " Letters containin;/ informa-
tion relative to the .\ntiquities of tl'c
(.jucen's County, collecteil during the
Progress of the Ordnance Sur\'ey in
183.^, vol. ii. Letter of 'Thomas
O'Ccinor, dated Carlow, December 15th,
1S3S, ]ip. 60, 61.
-■' 'ITus seems to be a misnomer, as on
the Ordnance Survey iMans for the
Queen's County, it is caller! the Bau-
teogue f^iver.
-" See " AnthoIn:,'ia TTibirnica," \'ol.
iv. September 1,"9-1., ]'. iSj.
2' The same api)ellation is bestowed
on it in the " Annals of the.' Four
INIaJters," \\liich tells us, that in 159'J,
Owny, son nt Kcjrv Oge O'iNIore, de-
vastated I.eix, including both its corn
and dwellin'.;s, so that there was nothing
without his power in the whole territory,
beyond the locked gate or the bawn.
He slew a gentleman of tlie English,
Cosby, tin; son of J\Lister l^'rans, at
SiuMubAiLe tAoi.^ii'e (StradbaHv Lli'v.)
See Dr. O'l-^>ino\-au's edition, vol. \'i., pp.
J006, 2007, Willi nn. (c. d. c) ihii/.
-'■* ITic frisli nanie of Str idbalK' is
PARISH OF STRADBALLV. 327
Iho pooplc of the neighbouiiiood at no very clistitnt date.-^ A religious
iiouse was founded iiere by the chieftains of I.(.ix, at an early period.
We read that, in the twelfth century, Lord O'Mora founded the monastery
of i\Ion-aii-bcaling,-'.' or, as more generally called, Stradbally,3o for con-
ventual Franciscans, or Friars Minor. Sir James Ware supposes this
convent to be identical with one denominated Luasia by l-'isanus.3i
The m.edifeval history of this religious foundation is not very clearly
jLscertainable ; but there can hardly be a dcubt the Franciscans had
a line establishnient here and an extensive estate in lands to supj^ort it.
During the middle ages, one of the strongest castles of the d'AIoores
was lu this place. 32 This castle was surrounded by a fosse, and it is
said to have been called the Castle of Palace.
In that treaty, 33 formed by the luiglish with the O'Moores of Lcix,
in 153S, wc hnd a curious covenant inserted, which has reference to an
arclueologicai fact of interest, in connection with a church m this town.
Certain conditions have reference to a campanile, called " clogas,"
•jossibly a Ivound Tower, at Stradbally, which seems to have existed
early in the sixteenth century. That it was considered an ecclesiastical
structure seems evident from tlie terius of this treaty. That the rector
or curate of the church should have the guardianship of this " clogas,"
and tliat neither the Irish or English should have its exclusive possession,'
were formulated into a clause, binding on both })arties.3J
The filth son of Connell O'JMoore, denominated Kory C:iech, or " the
blind " <»r " ihe one eyed," is so styled, by the Four Masters. By an
order of the Dublin Council, issued in the thirty-fourth year of King Henry
VTII.'s reign, this chief was made captain of Leix, he being next heir to his
brother Kedagii.3.s He is described as hvuig at Stradlxilly, in a grant
of English liberty which he jirocured for 2us.. in the thirty-fifth year
of King Henry VIII.3(> He seems to have been the King's O'More,
or a chieftain " loyal to the crown," in opjiosition to the popular chief,
when in Jmie, 1544, as " cai^tain of Leix," he addressed a statement
to Henry' VUl. In this, he recounts the services of his ancestors and
ol himself, and he complains of ill usage received from the Lord Deputy,
who, to his extreme prejudice, had behaved in a partial manner towards
the rebel O'Conor. During the ensuing year, either he or the opposition
Stt.MTjbAili.< tAOijij-e, which siynifies the ct Antiquitatilnis c-jiis," cap. xxvm.,
sfveeltown oj Lui. I.a.uririicrt liyrue of " Mona^lerulo-ia lliLn-rnica," pp. \(>2,
l'"allibe,a;, in the parish of Tnllamov and 16^,.
I'arony of Stradbally, who died in the -- See J. N. Brewer's " Beauties of
month of January, 1838, said that such Ireland," vol. ii., Querm's County, p. mi.
was the Irish name of this town, even in •'■^ Its terms are set forth in a docu-
liis own time. See " Letters containing ment which a])pears in the " Calendar
Information relative to tiie Antitjnities of State Papers," vol. ii., part, iii., p. 541.
of the Queen's County collected during -' " Item : concordat \]m et assensum
the Progress cf the "Ordnance Survey est per ]iarles prcdictas, quod campanile,
in 1S58," vol. ii. — Letter of T. O'C.nior, cdias theUim i.l>'/,..^, dc- Shrauil)aily,
ilated, Carlow, l)ecemi)er 15th, 183.S. ni Lexia, semper erit in custodia et
-'-• This compound d-nommation possessione gu'nernatoris sen curati
points to a bog being near the river, .'cclesie ibidem ; et (juod neuter partium
antl such was evidently the condition of predictarum ulhim jus aut titnlum eidem
the soil, before it had been converted vendicabuiU." See State Papers, vol.
into meadow and uasturedand. iii., p. 8S.
3" According to Sir James Ware's ^- See State J'apers. Carew MSS.,
Manuscripts, still preserved. p. uo^.
-> Sec Sir James Ware's " D; llil)ernia -^^ See the printed Patents.
328
HISTORY OF THE QUEEN's COUNTY.
chief entered into a secret combination willi the Ear'ls of diinoiKl and
Desmond. This Rory Caech appears to have been " the O'AIore " who is
mentioned by Walter Cowley, in 1546, as having been much 'devoted
to the harl oi Ormond, and as havmg lately died. He left three sons
Kory Oge, Keadagh, and Calvagh. In Cough's Camden, we are informed
that this town, lormerly belonging to tlie ()' Mores, was takc-n from them
in the reign of Queen Mary and given to the Cosbys.37 During the
Desmond insurrection, some of the Ormond family liccamc the adherents
of that powerlul Munster house. Sir Edmon^i lUitler, with his brothers
1 lers and Edward, on breaking into revolt about this time, turned a'-ainst
some of the colonists in this district. On Friday, the 1st Tuly ^i=;6q
Francis Cosbie wrote from Stradbally to the Lord Deputy,3S and iiiformeVl
him, that the insurgents on last night had burnt Stradbally Bally-
knockane Ferny Priory,39 and Loughteoge-, while thev slew the 'warden
and all the ward, of Ballyknockan Castle.
August i8th, 1592, the Queen being seized of this friary and all its
appurtenances, and also ot a mill with the mill-race in Stradbally and
the several castles, messuages, cottages, gardens, and orchards -!o' with
345 acres of land in the town-lands of Stradbally, Bailenowlan, i>:ilrorye
Ballerereader, Loghill Parck, Ballecolman, Ballemadock I<:ilmarter'
the Grange of Garrcraadock, Clonvenoak, Ballcnvickar, 'Kylnio-hoo'
Moyannoghe, Correill, Racreaghen, Clodust, Noghmald. Shanmollen'
ballemacntaubs, and Derobrock— all m the Oueen's Count\--llic same
were granted to Francis CosI^ye4i and his heirs and assigns, to liold as
of the castle of Maryborough, 111 capite, by knight's service or the 'oth
part of a knight s lee, and at the annual rent of /17 6s. 3d Irish money •
they to find yearly nine English horscmen.4^ The O'Mores' castle
was pulled down by the Cosbies,43 and a fortified house was built in its
place, wliich is now demolished. According to Father AIooney,44 Francis
Cosby destroyed the whole Franciscan convent and with th'e materials
37 The seven original English tribes,
who colonised Leix, at this period, were
the Cosby, Barringtou, Boweii, Rush,
Hartpole, Hethenngton, and Movendou
families. See John O'Hart's " Irish
Pedigrees ; or the Origin and Stem of the
Irish Nation," part x., chap, vi., p. 570.
Third edition, iSSi, D^ibhn.
'^^ See " Calendar of the State Papers
relating to Ireland, of the reigns of Henry
VIII., Edward VI.. Mary and Elizabeth,
1509-1573-" Edited by Hans Claude
Hamilton, Esq., F.S.A., p. 41J, in vol.
xxix.. 1560, jnly-Deceinber'
-° It is marked Fcranoprior, on the old
map of Leix, preserved in tlie Pntislr
Museum.
^0 In the early part of the last cen-
tury orchards were very numerous about
all the large farm-houses, but, they have
since been destroyed or have gone to de-
cay, long leases being refused to the
farmers ; consei]uently, these latter had
no motive or interest for planting or
preserving them.
*i See Harris' Ware, " Anlupiuics of
Ireland," vol. ii., chap, .x.wviii., p. 278.
■■- See Archdall's "Monasticon Hiber-
nicum," p. 507. For this statement
Archdall cites, " Chief Iveineinb." It is
certain from the snbs-npient entry, as
found in the K(,lls, tliat Archd.all com-
mitted some mistakes in the foregoing
statement. It wall be onlv neces-,ary
to otjserve that he gi\-es ;;4; acres as
constituting the extent of the'townland.s
collectively; whilst in tlie Rolls, as
published in tlie " Incpiisitionum Can-
cellari.c Hilierni.e Repertorium " vol. i
l.agenia, A.D., MDCCC. XXVI., the
number of acres is set down at i ^So.
Dilierences will also be observed in' the
orthography of the names dl the various
t.-jwnlaads contained m that grant to
the Cosby family.
'•'For some curious incidents re-
garding the Cosbv family, see Dr.
O'Donovyn's " Annals ot the Four
Masters," vol. v., n. (d.) pp. 1738, 1739,
and vol. vi., n. (c.) pp. 2006, 2007.
'' An exiled Irish Franciscan' who
lived at Louvam, in the seventeenth
century.
*^ See O'Sullivan Heare's " Historue
PARISH or STRADBALLY. ooq
he built a secular house. He was killed in 15S0, qt 'Glenmalure, when
Alexander Cosby succeeded to the inheritance of his estates. Both
were regarded as fierce and cruel exterminators of the Irish, and the
accounts in our annals confirm such a conclusion.45 Even oral tradition
in Stradbally bears out the histoiic narratives that have come down
to us. In 159G, Owny Mac Rory O'More, the chieftain of Leix, demanded
a passage for his men over the bridge at Stradbally ; but, the request,
regarded as a challenge to fight, was refused. 46 Hearing that the O'.Mores
were on the march, Alexander Cosby. -17 with his eldest son Francis. -|S
at the head of their kerne, })roceeded to defend the bridge.-i9 As
Alexander pressed forward in the engagement, which took })lace on the
19th of i\Ta3-, he was shot, and dropped dead. With loud outcrie-, his
kerne began to give way. Apprehensive of being abandoned, his son,
Francis, endeavoured to save himself by leaping over the bridge. The
moment he climbed the battlements, however, he was shot," likewise,
and he fi-ll dead into the river. 3"
A further confirmation of the foregoing grant bears date the 17th
of August, 1596, and it was issued at iMarvborough in the reign of Oueen
Elizabeth. It nnis as follows :— Francis Cosl)y, late of "Stradbally,
was seized of the fee, of the site and of the circuit latelv belonging to
the brothers at Stradball\-, with a water-mill in the sam'e village, and
comprising 1,380 acres of land in the same village of Stradballv^ Ball\--
nowlane, Kilroury, Ballyreder, LougliL-ll-Park, Ballycohnan', Bally-
madok, Kilmarten, le Graunge, Garrymadok, Cloneveok, Ballyxicar,
Kylmogho, Moyanagli, Corryell, Rathcrehin, Clodufl, Noghwale, Ballagh-
m.or, Slian.emollan, fifteen acres excepted belonging to Edward Brereton,
and with the castle of Dt-rrybrock, all of \vhich are now held from the
Queen, in capiic, l)y military service. Tlie aforesaid Francis Coshv
was killed by the rebels, and he died after his lather Alexander had
been slain, in like manner, at Stradbally, on the 19th of :\Iay, 159G.
William Cosby is son and heir of the aforesaid Francis, while the said
William was nine weeks old, at the time of the aforementioned death
of Francis, and not married. Dorcas Cosb3'e, alias Sydney, of late
wife to the said Alexander, father of the aforesaid Francis, has a dowry
on the tlnrd part of all the aforementioned lands and tenements. Heleli
Hartpoole, alias Cosbye, of late wife to said Francis Cosbye, has also
a dowry on the third part of the remaining aforementioned lands. 5i
CathohCcC Ibemix Compendium," toin. spcctive husbands bravely maintaining
ii., hb. IV., cap. v., p. 08 : cap. vi., p. 99, the ground. Sir Charles Cootc, who
and cap. xiv., p. 112. Ed. Dubhn, iSqo. seems to mistake the. faniilv gencaloi,'v,
"'Ihe account of thi.s engagement is adds, tliat after their (h-'ili', " one'uf
taken from a manuscript, which be- Humh, at the instant her luisnand was
longed to Admiral Cosby. killed, called out to other witnesses.
"' He was married to Dorcas Sydney, ' Kemember my husband did not tall
who wouUl never allow herself to be lirst, consecpuiitly, the estate descended
called Cosby. to him and is now the jiroDerty of my
^sHe was married a year before to eldest son.' " — " General View" of the
Helena Harpole, of Shrnle, and by her Agriculture and ^Manufactures of the
he had a son, named William, who was Queen's County," chap, xiii., sect. 4.
born but nine weeks before this fatal p. 173.
'^'''I*^'^- ^" See Tames Hardiman's " Iri-h
*3 It is stated that Dorcas Sydney and Minstrelsy,'" vol. ii., p. k.;.
Helena Ilartpole placed themselves at a -'i See " luquisitionnnr Cancellaria-
window of the abbey to see the tight, and Hiberni.c Repcrtonum," under the heail
for some time they beheld their re- of " Catalogus Inouisitionum Com"
3-',0 HISTORY OF THE OUEEN S CCiVSTY.
Tlie infant, Willian^ having died, his unci^-, wlio was named Richard,
succeeded lo tlic eslates. On the 4th of Deccnil)er, i^'^oq, a new paten':
or grant of tlrcse lands was made to Richard, son of Alexander Cosby, 5-
together with the townland or lordshi]^ of Timohop..S3 That patent,
issued in the time of James I., uiuler tln^ (.'ommissii-n to talo.^ surrendei'
of lands, &c., and to grant new titles. cS:r., gran'u'd to Ivicliard Cosl)\',
Esq., son and hfir of Alexander Cos])y, l^sq., deiMnct, and iiei)hew and
heir io Francis Cosby, Esq., defunct, as also to Ainold Cosl)y, his son
and heu", witli their heirs and assigns, tlie sitt\ *.^c.. of the house of friars
at Stradballv, Queen's Count}', and likewise VcU'!(<us lands .S4 in or nr\r it.
The O'Moores and their adhereiits ha\'ing been exi>elled fi"oni Leix,
while the early provisions for niilitai-\- service, required from the lirst
English colonists, were dispensed with, this letttu' sets forth several
curious regulations and decrees, which wen^ intended to isolate from
the subjugated remn.ant of Irish dwellers those Engbsh undertakers
that obtained gi'ants of land in th.eir territo; \". These were drawn up as
a precaution, and they were still deemed to be ])rudently devised;
for, it was known, that bitter memories and feeliu'^^s were rankling in
the hearts of those, who had witnessed the whoie.^alc deportation of
their tribes and kindred. Wherefore, the said Ivichaid Cosby, his heirs,
and retaineis, were (obliged to attend the Governor of Ireland, when
wai"ncd. He was required to appear with the greatei- \r.\vt of his domestics
'and tenants in. defensive array, supplying {irovisions for* three days,
in defence of the said Queen's Ciumty, and parts adjacent. He was
directed to an.swer to all warlike exercises, called " Ueistmgs," according
to the value of his lands. Me was ]dedged to maintain, as a militarv
ctintingent, nine able horsemen of the English name and nation; these
were to be well horsed, and arnred, offensively as well as defensiveh'.
loi" the better inhabitatic^n and defence of the aforesaid district ; the
C<)sb\'s paving therefore a small annual money rent, in the ciUTent
money of Iieland, with the customai'v la,')()ur called " Ploughday,"
for each acri- arable, or such laboiu" as the Consf.ilile of the Castle at
Maryborough shoidd ajipnint, or >. in lien (hrieof at the option of
the said ])osscssors of tlie grantetl lands. The chief governor, or those
appointed by him, had ])ower given them to cut timber for building,
&c. jMoreover, it was ruled, that the said Richard Cosl)y and his heirs
shall not use the law called, " le Brehowne lawe," in any cause, against
any person subject to the laws of this king(r()m. His sons and able
servants were obliged to use on their kinds, and in their houses, lor the
most part, the English tongue, apparel, and equipments. No person
of Irish blood, used to carry arms^ and born without the said country,
should be retained b\^ him or by his heirs, without license of the Constable
of the Castle of Maryborough, and the greater part of the free tenants
Kej^inc, .'tsserwitntuiu in ol1'ici/i Tin- \inuLlu-, :ils CiKmni-vfiinoLki', pMHinc-
tuloniin (\'inc('Il;iria> Hit)erni,r." \ iccar, and Isilim.ho, M. iwninauli,
■"'- At:cor(ling to tlie Cliiol I'lcuKin- ("arricll. Ivaneliin •, C'Kin.lnlle, .Xnii;,;' \'all,
br.uiccr's Kecords. l!alla};liinoif., Sli inninllcn, ami iiallv
■'■■' Sl'c ArclulaU's " IMonaslicon Tlihcr- M'.Manus ; ;ik() the castle, town, and
nieiun," ]). 597. lands df 1 iii-n'.nockc, in tlu- thieen's
^* These are denominated the lands of County, and a watLr-mill in {\\r town ot
Stradballv, ]'>allyno\vlan, Kelrowne. lial- Stradli.dlv, exccot tlie lands in the said
lercder, -and Loughill, ParkebcdU'cnInian, \ille ol Sliaani' )llv:i laUK' L;ianU'd to
Beallemadocke, Kilmarten. ak. Kil- kdward IJieretnii, v'.iili all lji;al ri;-;hts
martcr le Gran;,'e, Garinuid()cl:e, Cdoue- thereto belon^uii'.
TARISH OF STKAPBALLV. 33I
bc'lonp^ing' to the said county. The alorcsaid Richard and liis heirs
were not to pull up or to })rostrate aii\' castle, bridge, paved causeway,
or togher, nor shall they plash any ]);issage, Ix'ing m or upon the said
lands, unless the said passage be adjacent to some Irish country. Again,
neither he nor his retainers should receive ]xi\-. or attend and serve in
war-iii:e i'asluon, or to be the followia's ol any pei.sun whereby they might
be compelled to aid him in any incursions or raids. 55 Jealously ap-
prehensive of native or foreign Euro])ean inlluence and power extending
within Ireland, at the time, the Eiiglisli riovernment, in the Letters
Patent direct, that matrimony or gossi[)red shall not be contracted
with any Irish jjcrson, residing outside of any countr\' of this kingdom,
.and not answerable to its laws ; nor were the patentees to permit those
exactions and re(}uisitions, called " Coyny and Liverie," to be taken
on the granted lands by any strangers. In addition, it was decreed,
that if any dowried or ]'ointtu"ed female slunild marry any Irishman,
liei dowry m such case must cease and determme. The patent then gives
])ower, likewise, to erect a man.or at Stradbally, together with its ofhcers,
courts, and rights ; it also grants a free market in the town of StradbalJN'
to be held on Saturdays, 56 ;md an annual fair 57 to be held at the same
place, on the vigil and feast of St. Peter the Apostle.
In a deed, bearing for its ])lace and date of issue, Maryborough,
15th of jNIarch, iCji, and m the reign of Charles I., it is stated, tliat
Richard Cossebv 5^^^ was seized in fee entail, for himself and his male
heirs, with reversion to the crown, of the village and lands of Stradbally,
and of wliich the lands of Noghavall and Ikdlaghmore are a ])arcell,
containing one house, ten messuages, one fuller-mill, two water-mills,
and 120 acres of land, village and lands of Killrowry, of which the hamlets
at Ballynowlan and Glanncrennock are a parccll, the village and lands
of Ballyryder, with the hamlet of Lawghill parcell of the same, the village
and lands of Park, Balh'collmon, Killmarten, iiluis Killmarter, le Grange,
(larrymaddock. Bally vickarr, with the hamlet of Killmachoe, parcell
ol the same, Moyannagh, Corryell, Racrehen, Cloduffe, the castle of
Derrybrock, Shanmullen, Ballymacmanus, Ballj'maddock and Ballykyna,
all of which com]irise: two castles, forty messauges, and 4S5 acres of
land. The aforesaid Richard was also seized of the fee entail, for
himseif and his male heirs, with reversion to the crown, of one castle,
twenty messauges, and 170 acres of land, m the village of Tymochoe,
^^ Besides those lands already en- Ijallyneclouqh, Ballentle, Kathnebaron,
umcrated, the king granted to Riehard C")arriglas, Gosse, l-3alliclare, als Balli-
and his heirs, the lands, &c., of jNhiy- tarra, Balliscare, and Owlortes mansion,
nerath, Cloneneynagh, als Clonicnagii, upon some j^art of the said lanils, and
K(jsseshelton, als Rossecjuillan, and lu \iw llicie lor the greater part of
'Iromroe, with I-Isker, Clonekyn\-, and lmcIi \ear.
luskerbegg, with their appnrtenances, s'' Sunie sixty or seventy years ago, this
and the advowson of the rectory and weekly market was greatly frec]uented
vicarage of St. Mocho of Timoeho, als by the inhabitants of Straclballv and its
b'arrene priory, in the diocese ui neighbourhood, while business was ex-
Leighlin, with their appurtenances, on ( eedingly brisk and llounsliing m the
llie same contlitions. Ihe said Kichard town. Now it has lallL-n into iii-
and his heirs to have his principal their sigmlicaiiLe.
appurtenances, on the' same comlitions ^''See Lewis's "Topographical Die-
as before recited. The patent also tionary of Ireland," vol. li., p. s,ji^.
grants to Richard Cosby and his .son ■''» This Richard Cosby did not survive
and heir, Arnold Cosbie, the lands, etc., the date of this record for many months,
ot Tymogho. als l''arrene priory, as he died on the 5th of December, i6ji.
332 HISTORY OF THE QUEEN'S COUNTY,
Ballynecloughc, Ballentlca, Ratlincban-(Mi, Ciarryuia?;, Ft)sse, Ballyclare,
alias Eallytarra, Ballyseare a//as Ballonseare, Dowlart, Eskcr, Clonc-
kj'iiye and Eskcrbegge, all of which arc reputed 1o be parcells of the
manor of Stradbally, in reversion after the death ol Lady Ellen Loftus,
now the wife of Thomas Loftus knight, and all of which lie in the
Queen's County. The document then proceeds to enumerate the various
demises and letting of the several townlands, with the nature ot the
tenure and term of years, the names of the tenants, and description of
their holdings. 59
On the death of Richard Cosby, towards the close of i6]i, his son
Alexander succeeded to his possessions in Stradbally. *^o In i6]b, he
appears to have made a deed, bearing date the 2nd of June, whereby
Francis Willoughby, knight, of St. Dominick's Abbey, Francis Slingsby,
knight of Kilmore, Francis Slingsby, Esq., son and heir to the said Francis
Slingsby, knight, with William Dodwell, of the Grange, and heirs, obtained
a mansion honse and So acres of land in the village of Stradbally, 40
acres in Rathconny, 44 acres in le (irange and Ouldmill, Go acres in le
Parke, 6 acres in Viccarstown, aHas l-Jallvviccar, and 4 acres in Ouldton,
adjacent to Viccarstown, for the ]-)urj)Ose and intention specilied in
the same deed, and which said original document and purport clearly
set forth. The death of Alexander Cosl)y took place on tlie Cth of August,
iOjO."i Lieutenant Arnold Cosby with others named was authorised '^-
to bring as traitors to London, in 1642,63 Lord Rlaguire *and his con-
lederates.<'4 Father Mooney ^5 could collect in his time nothing which
was specially interesting regarding the Franciscan Convent at Stradbally,
in the Queen's County and Diocese of Leighlin, as that whole country
about it was then in the ]iosscssion of enemies. However, after the
destruction of their former ruligious establishment there, the Franciscans
seem to have lived in that town or its neighbourhood ; for, it is recorded,
that Patrick O'Conor had been constituted superior at their residenci-
in Leix, a.d. 1645. In the 3'ear 164O, towards the close of September,
the Confederate Catholics invaded Leix, when a force of horse and foot
commanded by Colonel Lewis Moore destroyed or took nearly all the
Lhiglish gari'isons. Francis Cosby surrendereil his house at Stradbally
on the 1st of October, that year, to Colonel jMoore, when he was allowed
to depart with his arms, retainers, and provisions. His effects that
\\'ere alxmdoned, the Confod:n"ates Ix'Stowed on the Friars ?iIinors,
who formerly owned his house. In 1O47, P. F. Paul O'MoIoy was their
guardian. In 164S, there is no return, or it was probably a \'acancy.
During this year, as Francis Cosby lalsely represented to General Prt'ston
that the Friars at Stradbally had unjustly ap]:)ropriated his goods, the
general sent an order to the commandant of the garrison, to haw the
claimed goods restored to his enemy m action and religion. One Father
B^ See " Inciiiisitionum Canccllari;L' ''■' Tlu' letter is ilated i itli June. 1642.
Hibernioi Repeitoriuni," vol. i., La^enia. MSS. of Ke^inald Cholinoncleley, J'^sq.,
"^f The Cosby Manuscript, to which Conclover J tall, Sl^ropshire.
alkisiou lias bi^en already made, states, ''■' See Jolm T. Colbert's " C(in-
that at oin- lime, the Cusbys possessed temporary llistory of Allairs in Ireland,
halt the Oueen's County and a township from i('k\i 1(j 10^2," vol. i., jiarl li.,
over. p. 499, note.
''^ See " Incinisilionum Cancellariaj '■'• Mis JNIanuscript is now preserved in
Hibcrnia' l\epert>.)nuni," vol. i., Lagenia. tlie Burgandiar. Library, at Hruxelles.
•^2 By the Lords Justices and Council '■•'• See a curious account ot this trans-
of Ireland. actinu, in the " Aphonsmal Disco\''ry
PARISH OF STRADBALLY. 333
James ]:)ioccrdccI to his camp at Atliy, to picsciit a petition or protest ;
but, he was rudely ordered to leave, without beinc; heard, and sent back
with insults to Stradbally.66 ];i;i 1650, P. F. Antonius Gcraldinus, or
Anthony Fitzejerald, was superior at Stradballv ; while, in 1661, we
find mentioned in the same capacity P. F. Antonius Darcy.^7
On Sir William Petty's Barony Map of Stradbally we find the vastly
greater por<-ion marked off as Protestant lands, on which a church, with
three other objects, apparently castles, arc depicted. In a part of
Corcloane appear the denominations of Bawne, Inchy, Garrans, Black-
ford with its castle, Drumine, Ballyduffe, Ballvkilkauan with its castle,
and Munkfarish, where the ruins of a church are shewn. Both of the^e
latter objects are beside the stream which runs from Stradbally througli
the present demesne of Ballykilcavan. All this land belonged to Robert
Hartpole, Irish Papist, to the amount of over 1,867 acres, arable and
pasture, with a comparatively smcdl proportion of 228 acres under wood
and bog. Over 15 acres of glebe land were in this part of Corclone
Parish, and these were mortgaged to Oliver Wal^^h, an Knglish Protestant.
A detached part of Ballicullan Parish is shewn, with Cloghpook and
Thomaslavan denominations, comprising over 270 acres of forfeited
land, the inheritance of Thomas Da\'ills of Ballyknockan, an Irish Papist
U])on C]ogh])ook st;mds a castle.'^'^ In 1657, Stradbally had seven
townlands. rated at £18 per annum ; the parsonage was worth ;;ri2
aud tlie vicarage £G. The iiatron was Trinity Colleg*e, Dublin. <j'-' In
1764, the present Protestant church was erected bv subscription. 7"
In 1771, Lord Sydney Cosby began a noble house a little without the
town, and S. W. of the site of the ancient castle, but he lived only to
finish the offices and one wing. That house which stood in the writer's
recollection was pulled down after the year 1S40, aud a most beautiful
and architectural mansion was erected on the site by Sydney Cosily,
lisq. The demesne of Stradbally Hall is fiuely planted and highly
ornamented.
In 1771 Stradbally contained 100 houses ; but, in 1794, it had 216,
most of which were neat and well built of limestone taken from the
neighbouring quarries. About a mile west of the town there
was a charter school 7i for 50 children ; 7- and this had an existence
during the earlier part of the last century. In 1774, by act of council,
this living, a vicarage m the Diocese of Leighlin, was united in
the vicarage of Moyanna.73 It has been stated, that towards
the close of the eighteenth ceiitur}', some remains of the Franciscan
of Treasonable Faction." Third Booko, factures of the Queen's County," chap.
clia]). xxxiii., pp. 257 to ;;59. Fdited by i., sect. 3, p. 10.
jolin T. Gilbert, Dublin, 1879, 4to. ""See Lewis's "Topographical Dic-
''■ The foregoing information has been tionary of Ireland," vol. ii., p. 57S.
kindly furnished to the writer, by the "^ The erection of this institution cost
\'erv ]\ev. Theobald Carey, Guartlia!i of /3,ooo ; ul which sum /800 was a gift
tlie Franciscan Convent of St. Isidore, from Pov>le Ccwhy, Fsq. See Lewis's
at Kome, in 18S6. " Tonogra]")hic:d Dictionary of Ireland,"
'■^ Nearly corresponding wiHi the vol. li., p. <^~>^.
foregoing denominations are those nn "- According to the " Anthologia
the Map of General Vallancey, copied Hibernica," vol. iv., September, 179-I,
from the ciriginal in Paris. Vol. n., pp. 1S4, 185.
No. 6^, Irish Record Office, Dublin. '^ gee Lewis's " Toposraphical Dic-
'■^ See Sir Charles Coote's " General tionary of Ireland," vol. ii., p. 578.
\iew of the Agriculture and Manu- "' See an account of this sale and
334 HISTORY OF Tiir. queen's county.
Monastery were visible, and that the modern house, 1-inilt on its former
site, still retains the name ol the Abbey. At the death of Lord Sydney
Cosby, a considerable portion of his inheritance had been sold to the
Right Hon. Henry Grattan, who obtained a grant of £50,000 from the
Irish Parliament in 1782, for the imjwrtant services which this illustrious
man had rendered to Ireland. 74 The remainder of this estate belonged to
Admiral Cosby,75 towards the close of the eighteenth century. He was a
resident and most popular landlord, who gave great encouragemcmt
to improvements in Stradhally, and to the agricultural tenants holding
direct from him. Their descendants still relate with grateful feelings,
his humanity during the disastrous rising in ijqS, when lie most
judiciously and kindly procured protections for many, who were deeply
implicated in the insurrection, and it is quite certain he thus prevented
its formidable outl;)reak in this neighbourhood. The town of Stradbally
was then a manor, to which appertain a court baron and a court leet.
The soil of Stradbally jtarish mostly consists of good tillage land,
and tlic occupiers are thrifty and industrious. The farm-houses present
an a]~)pearance of comfort and convenience. There are now few bogs
in the neighbourhood of the town. The soil is calcareous, and limestone
rock containing several good quarries, 7'-' wliich mi,L;lit be rendei'ed pro-
ductive to a large amount, is in the vicinity. 77 These (p.rirries were
iorrnerl}' worked to a considerable extent, and in the earlier^ part of the
last Century, a colony of skilled stone-cutters had settled in the town,
and who were chiefly engaged in the monumental carving and lettering
of tombs and hc^adstones for all the adjoining cemeteries, and even for
places very remote .
In the early part of tbe eighteenth centui-y, the remains of the belfry
belonging to the Abbey of St. Francis, at Stradbally, arc said to haw-
stood. 7« Report then said, that vaults were beneath it, and subterranean
passages under the bed of the River Ceallach or Kelley, quite to Knock-
na-brahir, " the hill of the brotherhood." A handsome dwelling-house
was built on the site of the abbey, to which some remains of the ancient
building are attached. In Stradbally there was another religious
foundation ; and when the present Protestant Church had been rebuilt
in 1764,79 a line old arched gateway was taken down. This gateway
was the former entrance to the cemetery ; and a plain gate afterwards
suj-iplied its phicc'^'J In 180I, a l)rewery^i here supplied an e.xcellent
jiurcliasc in t'le " Memoirs of the Life wliere it is converted into lime and
and 'limes ol the Jvight Hon. Henry ceir.ent of a Vv ry superior qualil\'.
C.rattan," Ijy his son, Henry Grattan, ^~ See " Xnth.oloi^ia Hibernica," vol.
ICsq., M.P., vol. iii., cliap. xi., pj). 331. iv., September, 1794, pp. 184, 185.
333. ''^ Since the Abl)ey has passed into
■^5 Of him Sir Jonah Barrinn;tou relates Iho possession of the Presentation Nims,
the humorous anecdote of a half-l^lind Hr. the writer has seen many of the stone-
Jenkins, who sat Ijeside Admiral Cosl)y at arched vaults which formerly were paxt
dinner, and who 'mistook his brown of the Franciscan liousc; ; but these have
clenched hand on t1ie table for a Frencli oi hiti- beni reniii\".d, and on their site
roll of bread. Without further cere- ha^' been built tlie nrcu'ut la:inlr\- nf iln-
mony, the doctor thrust his fork plumi> convent. In making: this altera :ii;i! in
into the admiriil's list, ^shieh caused a the yard adjoininc;, several human re-
tremendous uproar amon.L; all wIkj were mains have been unearthed, which seems
present. See " Personal Sketches and to indicate that it had in former times
i^ecollectionsof His own Times," clia]~). V. be. n used as a place lor interments.
"'' Some of this stone is brouLjh.t by the "'See "The National Gazetteer,"
Grand Canal from Vicarstow n to Dublin, vol. hi., p. 566.
FAKISll OF STRADBALLY. 335
Iieverage.^^ y^t this tJiiu', Straclbally was ref^iuxli-d as hein.i;' the neatest
inland town of the Oiu'lu's Comity, or ol any other place kiKAvn to Sir
Charles Cocte.^3 la 1831, the population of Stradbally was 1,799 !
in 1840, it was only 1.682, and the houses weie 288.^4
The old market -liouse, which stood in the iMcsent market-square to
the year 1830, has since been destroyed; but markets are still hekl
Wf^ekly on Saturdays. Fairs also are chartered or held on the 21st of
February, 6th of Auiy, loth of July, 21st of August, 14th of September,
2ist of November, ■"'3 and 20th of December. The time for Quarter
Sessions held by the Coimty Court Judge, is usually in June, and during
Trinity term. The living was formerly a vicarage in the Diocese of
Leighlin, and valued with some others at iiqa.^*^ Before the late Irish
Church Disestablishment Act. Stradbally was a rectory, im-
propriate in the Provost and Fellows of Trinity College. Dublin. The
tithes amounted to /208 14s. 2d. ; of this sum /i;'/)Os. yd. were payable
to the impropriators, with remainder to th ; vicar. '^z A handsome
glebe-house was near the church, having twelve acres of good land
attached.
In the Catholic arrangement, the Parish of Stradlvilly includes the
Union of Timahoe, Timogue, Corclone and iMoyanna."^- The chapel
of Stradbally in 1721 was a very humble and thatched structure. This
is said to have been maliciously burned by the Orangc.'mcn in 1794 and
on the I2th of July. However, Thomas Cosby, Esq., granted a lease for
the plot ol ground on which it stood, and in 1796, a chaipel of much
larger dimensions was built on that site. The latter being greatlv out
of repair, and the roof especially, showing signs of collapse, a handsome
Gothic Church was erected^'-) on a site gi'anted by Colonel Rob^-rt Godol-
phin Cosby, in a different part of the town, at the other side of
its bridge, and facing the main street, adjoining the Presuntation
Convent. The latter was founded by the Very Rev. George Hume, P.P.,
Stradbally, on the 25th of February, in 1852 ; and besides having charge
of the Female and Infant National Schools, a Female Orphanage and
Female Industrial School, the nuns have started and promoted domestic
occupations and pursuits, admirably calculated to serve the interests
of home workers in the town and neighbourhood. They now have
possession of the Abbey — formerlv belonging to the Franciscan Friars —
and its grounds beside the river. Stradbally Hall, the residence of
Colonel Cosby, jiro})rietor of Stradbally and the Cosby estate, adjoins
the town and rises on an elcvatetl site over the Batiteague River.
Brockley Park, formerly tenanted by the Earl of Roden, and now the
property of Mr. Young, has also a beautiful mansion with finely wooded
grounds surrounding it. Ballykilcavan House and Demesne, the seat
of Sir Hunt Walsh, Bart., have been greatly admired for the tasteful
appearance they present to the eye of a traveller along the high
"'" Sec jNIrs. St. jclin's " iniauna," ^'' See " Tlie Nalioiud Gazetteer,"
Canto i., 11. 21, pp. 94, 95. vol. lii., p. yA,.
'^1 Tt iDelonged to Doe.tor Lanijihier. '"• Sei' I'l/fil.
*^- See Sir Charles Coote's " Ck'iu-rnl "" See Lewis's " 'ropo;4ra])hical Die-
View of tlit» .\!^ricTilture and IMami- tionary of Ireland," \'ol. ii., p. 57S.
lacturcs of the Queen's County," chap. "'^ A fuller account of these several
>;iii., sect. 4, p. 170. parishes may be found in Most Rev.
**3 See ibid., p. 169. Bishop Cornerford's " Collections re-
"* See " Parliamentary Ciazetteer of latin-^ to the Dioceses of Ivildare and
Ireland," vol. iii., p. -^^3. Lei^ldin," vol. lii., pp. 35C) to .17K.
jZ^ history of the gUKEN S COUNTY.
road from Stradbally to Athy, the grandly wooded heights aroun.-l
lending a great charm to the landscai^e. The old mansion oi Rahccn-
duff IS likewise near the town.
CHAPTER LI. — Parish of Tankardstown.
This parish lies partly in the barony of Ballyadams in the Queen's
County,! and partly in the baronies of East Narragh and Rhclxin 2 and
Ivilkca and Moone,3 in the County of Kildare.4 It is within the Poor
Law Union of Athy. The surface in general consists of low-lying land ;
the two chief altitudes in the County of Kildare section are respectively
243 ft,, and 239 ft. above the sea-level. s The soil is usually light, but
fairly productive. The River Barrow divides the Queen's County west
portion of this ])arish from that eastward in the Counts' Kildare. Within
the latter, a canal, formed by the Barrow Navigation Coinpaii}^, extends
along the left bank of that river.
An old castle and a church, with some ruined houses, are marked in
Tankardstown Parish, on Sir William Petty's ^Majis. Coolegarragh and
a glebe are inscribed on General Vallancey's copy of it, from the maps in
Paris. Within the large townland of Tankardstown, Queen's County,
on the west side of the l^iver Barrow, are to be seen the old church, at
present in ruins, and within a graveyard. Near it is St. Thomas' Well.
*^)n the north side of it the site of a castle is to be found, while about one
quarter of a mile to the south, the site of another castle may be traced ;
both of these former erections seem to have been intended to command
the passage over the River Barrow.*^ Tankardstown, said to have been
another name for Ballyadams, had six townlands, and it was an im-
propriate vicarage, one-third of all prohts belonging to the minister ;
while two-thirds, in the year 1640, belonged to Thomas Ovingdon, an
English papist ; it was then worth altogether £34 per annum. In the
3'ear 1657, i^ ^^^^^ worth only £11, and it was set for the use of the Common-
wealth.?
The parish of Tankardstown was within the Omurthy deanery, and
in the arrangements of the Protestant episcopal establishment it left
the Archbishop of Dublin the patron, in 1S27 ; ^ but, no church nor
glebe-house was then witliin it. The chief residences in the Queen's
"3 By tlie Very Rev. INIichaei Brcnnan, ' See " Parliamentary Gazetteer of
late P.P. of Stradbally from May iSSS Irelaml," vol. iii., p. 311.
to the period of his death in October '' See " Letters containing; Information
1902. relative to the Antiquities of the Queen's
1 'J'his portion is shown on the " Ord- County, collected during the J^royress of
nance Survey Townland Maps for the ' the (Jrdnancc Survey in 1838," vol. ii.
Queen's County/' Sheets 20, 26. It Letter of John O'Douuvan, date!
comprises 3,472(7. or. i~,p. Carlow, December 15th, i.Sj8.
- This diistrict contains only 440rt. '' See Sir Charles Coote's " General
3J'. I7p. \'iew of the Agriculture and Mann-
■' Tliis division contains 4,437a. oy. lactures of the (}neen's County," cha[).
10/5. However, 40^/. and 3r. of this 1., sect. 3, n]>. 11, 12.
whole parish are in the water, chielly " See John C. ICrck's " Lcclesiastieal
in the River Barrow. Register," p. 74.
* See the " Ordnance Survey Town- '■' In the County of Kildare district,
land Maps for the Ct)unty of Kildare," the chief residences are Heath House,
Sheets 35, 37. Leinster Lodge, DoUardstown House.
PARISH (.)F TKCOLM. 2,31
County part of this parish arc Barrow Lodge, Moiieybrook House,
Milford House, and Kihnorany House.'' In i^^ji, the whole population
of this parish was 1,918 ; and the houses were jij, according to the
census of that year. It had 8,() ;S statute acres, as applottcd luuler
the Tithe Act, and it was valued at £456 per annum. i*^^' In 1841, tlu-
Oueen's County section had a ])opulation of 947 persons living in 1(14
houses ; while in the Narragh and Rheban section, there were 29 li\ing
in 4 houses, and in the Kilkea and Moone section there were 93S persons
living in 145 houses. " In 1834, the Roman Calliolic> living in this
jiarish amounted to 1,866 souls, and the Pr(_)testants to 97. This pair^h
was a rectoiA' and vicarage, forming ]xirt of tlie 1)eneiice of Atliv, ni
the diocese o-f Dulilin.i- With Athy it was valued at £420. Tiie
Archl)ishoi:) had the patronage. '.^ In 1846, the tithe composition was
£j2^ 19s. 4d.'4 Within the bounds of this parish are some good quarries
ol limestone. There are also the remarkal)le remains of a fort or rath.
CHAPTER LIT— Thk Parish of Ti:. 01 m.
Thl; small jiarish of Tecolm, or Tecolme — sometimes written Tekolm^
seems to have derived its denomination from a St. Colum or Columl);:.
It may probaltly be deduced also from the comjxMind word Teach, " a
house," and Cohmi, the proper name. To us it a])]:)ears, that the jxitron
was ])roliabl\' that St. Columban, alrt^tdy mentioned as the founder ot
Ougheval, and from wliich sj^'ot the old graveyaul and its church were
not far distant. The traces of an ancient roatl are \'et pointed out, as
foiniiiie; a dnect line of comnmiiication bet\\'een both ])laccs. The
old quadrangular church — of small dimensions — stood as a tolerabh'
jieiiert luin, until the great storm, on the night of January btli. t8]i|,
coinjjji^tely levelled one of its gables, which tor a ]oi!g ti:iii,' was si)iead
unbroken over the adjoirting gra\"es. It was even afterwards a
jiictuiL'scjue luin for many subsequt'ut wars ; now, excepting a ruined
gabk; mantled over with ivy, hardly a single fragiumt of wall remain^
abow ihe groimd. although the foundations are still recognisal^le.
The ])ansh of Tecolm is situated within Balh'adams Haroiu- toward-^
the west. The high road from Carlow to Stradball\' jxisses iieaa- the
lormer church of Tecolm. The early history of this jilace is obscuii-.
\\'e learn, however, that the I])canery of Margee, alitis Bargee, had one
ol lis ])arishes Tecolme, an impropriate rectory, without a curate in
l()i(i.' and its fruits are declared sequestrated. This jKirish is noticed
by John OT^oiioxan m the Ordnance Survey Records.- Tecolm
Snu,^l:Mri)iiii:h House, Sprin.c; Lodse, *- Sec Lewis's " Toixjpraphical Dic-
l^anuhill, Gran!:;c'inellon Hou?c, Granite- tioiiary oi Ir(.'kuul," vtil. ii., jj. 593.
inrcl, and Levitstown House; ami the ''^See " Tlie National Gazetteer,"
other objects of chief interest are the site \\]. iii., p. (113.
of St. Le!:::er's Casth^, a buryinp ijrouncl i- See " P;irH:iinentary Gazetteer of
rnd a poHce barraclc. See " I'arha- Trelmul," vol. iii., 11. 311.
nieutary (iazetteer oi keland," vol. iii., ' See ''Liber Kegalis \'isitationis."
1). 311. -See "Letters containinj^ Infornia-
1" See T.e\\is's " Topoi^raphical Die- tion relative to the Anticiuities of the
1'on;iry of Ireland," vol. ii., p. 505. Oueen's County collected dnrni^ the
" See "Parliamentary Gazetteer of l'ro,t:;ress of the Ordnance Survev in
Ireland," vol. iii., p. 311. 1S3S," vol. i. Letter of John
Z
33'? IIISTORV OF THE QUEENS (OPNIV.
t
was an endowed vicarage in the year 1640, when it was wtirth Czo \\'v
annnm. Then it was waste, and the churcli was in ruins, wiiili' i\\c
Commonwealth received the profit in 1657.3 It cominised only two town-
lands, in the time of the Commonwealtli. Altoyetlier the parish 4
contains only I,022i7. jr. up.
This vicarage formed the corps of Tecolme prebend in tlie diocese of
Leighlin", and it was in the patronage of tlir Protestant Bishop in iSjj,
the rectory being impropriate in the rcpresi-nlatives of Thomas Fitzgerald,
Esq. The tithes amounted to £100 7s. 8:|d.; ol wliich amoTint £()6 i8s. 6d.
was i^ayablc to the im]-)ro])riator, and the remainder to the vicar. 5 The
])()])niation in i8jl was 22S, and in 1841 it comprised 23<) ])crs()ns living
m 37 houses, m the Diocese of Leighlin. The vicarage of Tecoline —
another name for this )ilace — l)\'sart Eiios and Kilteale constituted
the licnelice of Tecoline,'' th.e incumbent holding the prebend of Tecoline
in Leighlin Cathedral. r
CHAPTICR LIIL— Pakisii or Timoi^ue.
In this parish, which lies about two miles south south-west from the
town of Stradbally, there is a very ancient cemetery, within which most
probably stood an exceedingly old church, on the very site of the Pro-
testant one which has reiila.ced it. This parish has ail area of ■2,.\r)oa.
3^. 32/>.i The land, in general, is of a very go(3d quality, and the
scenery is pleasingly diversified. The site of an ancient castle is to
be seen near the graveyard, and beside a former tiour-mill on the stream.
The mill is now disused, and fast cruinbhng to decay. It seems im-
practicable to recover tin' early ecclesiastical history of this place ;
but, that it was important in former times may be inferred from the
veneration attacliing to its burial-place, and the crowded state of its
inclosure, the graves rising nearly to a level with the windows of the
Protestant Chinxh, and considerably elevated above its flooring. The
name of this parish, situated in the barony of Stradbally, has been
derived from St. Maidoc,- the patron of Ferns, by Thomas O'Conor.3
Within the church, ihere are various tombs, lying in a horizontal
position. One of tliese is a marble Hag, close to where the communion-
table is placed. Armorial bearings are at the head, with the motto,
" Certavi et vici " under them. Then lollows the inscription : —
" Beneath this marble stone lyeth the body of Sir Daniel Byrnc,4 Bart.,
who died the 25th of September, in the year 1715, and of his age the
O'Donovan, tlatcd Stradbally, I^eceinlxT ^ Acc(inlin<_; to the Irish Ordnance
<)th, 1 838. pp. 261 to 263. Survey nieasurement.
^ See Sir Charles Coote's "General- 2 -f hus Ci^h niAo-oos;, t.c, Donius S.
View of the Agriculture and iM.uui- Maidoci, in^otjoj; si,t;nityin<4 " Mi parvule
/artures of the Ouetn's Cxuinty," cliap. i.. Aide," " mv little llup;h."
.sect. 3, ]i. 12. 3 III ^T^ letter, dated Carlow, Di^cember
-It is lU'scrihed nn the "Ordnance ijtli, 1838, in "Letters containing; In-
Survey Townland Maps lor the Oueen's formation relative to the AntiquUies of
County," Sheets 19, 25. the Queen's County, collected during;
•'"' See Lewis's " Topographical Die- the Progress of the Ordnance Survey in
tionary of Ireland," vol. ii., p. 599. 1838," vol. ii., p. 62.
" See " The National Gazetteer," ' His career was rather a remarkable
vol. iii., p. 622. one, and from traditions of this ueigh-
■^ See " ]^arlianientar\- Gazetteer of b(jurhood, wliich m his earlier years,
Ireland." vol. iii., p. 311^. John (J'l )• .novan heard related,' lln-i
PARISH OF TiMoi'.m:. , 339
3qth. He morrvcd Anna Dorothea, eldest danqliter of Edward Warren,
of Pointon, in the County of Chester and Kingdom of England, Esq.
He was a singular instance of conjugall alTection ; A kind and indulgent
father to his children, and in the discharge of j^romises, which in the
practice of the World meets with too little regard, a great exa iiplc of
Justice. Here also h"eth the body of Cliarks hiS eldest son, who was
a youth of very promising expectation. He died the ist of November,
1713, and in the Qth year of his age." 5 A marble flag, lying horizontally
between this last one and the door, has this inscription on it : — " Here
lieth the bodv of Thomas Fitzgerald, of IMorett, Esq., who dipart^'d
this Life the Twenty Second of September, 1766, Aged 20 \''nn"s, son «,ji
Stejihen Fitzgerald, of iMorett, Esq. ; he was a most dutiful son and
valuable youth, for which reason his IMother, Catherine Fitzgerald,
youngest Daughter of Sr. Daniel Byrne, Bart., aj's down this stone
in regard to the great tenderness he had for his Mother and her most
])arently Love for him." <^ Alongside this, to the right, lies a flag stone
of a blackish colour, which exhibits this inscription : — " Here lieth
the body of Stepjhen Fitzgerald, of i\Ioreet, Esq., who departed this
life tlie Second of August, 1771, aged 64 years. He was a most tender
husband and affectionate parent and sincere friend. His widow,
Catherine Fitzgerald, yomigest daughter of Sr. Daniel Byrne, Bart.,'.'
Lays down this stone in regard to the high value she has forliis iMemory."^
l->ctwecn this last one and the door is this inscription : — " Here lyetli
th.e bodey of M. ?*Iartha Fitzgerald, wife of Stephen Fitzgeraltl, Escp,
who died the 25th day of December, Anno Domini, 1713, aged 54 j'ears.
Here lyetli the body of Stephen Fitzgerald, Esq.,'' who died the 20th
da}^ of June, Ano. Doni., 1710. Aged 54 years." i<J Between this
and the door is the following one : — " Here lieth the body of Mr. Tliomas
Fitzgerald, of Moret, & one of the daughters of Sir Gregory Byrne,
Barnt., Deed. She departed This hfe ye icjth day of Octobr. An^. Domi."
1723, & in ye 40th year of her age. By this stone lieth the Body of the
<i,bovename Thomas Fitzgerald, of Moret, Esq. He dved the iStli
Day of Apl. 1754. Aged 68 3/ears." u Affixed to the wall, and to the
left of the communion-table, on marble, is this inscription, witli armorial
bearings on it '- : — " In this vault and ground lie the Remains of (iera'd
Fitzgerald, of Moret, Esquire, and of his wife, a daughter of John l)0\vcn,
of Ballyadains, l^squire (He was murthered and his castle burned there
in the reign of Oueen Elizabeth), and of his only son, Gerald Fitzgerald,
of Timoge, liscjuire ; & of his wife, a daughter of O'Dempsey, Lord
barvemi liaronot has attaiiierl much ' See Thomas O'Cniuir's Letter,
celebrity, in a note to the "Annals nf December I5t!i, 183S, p. 60.
the Four INlasteis." Some very curious '•' It is iiossil)le that tliis was the
particulars — we know not if altogether Stephen i-itz^'erakl of Moret Castle,
•orrect — are found in reference to him- about whose wife Elizabeth, a great aunt
>e!f and his feunily, in Daniel O'Byrne's of Sir Jonah Barrington, lie relates sucii
■ History of the Queen's County," an extraordinary adventure, in his
hap. xxviii. " Personal Sketches and Ivecollections
' See 'thomns O'Conor's Letter, of His own Times," chap. ii. However,
December 15th, 1838, pp. 63, 64. if such be the case, he must have been
" Ibid., p. 65. at least twice married.
■•' See an account of the ancient family ^'^ See Thomas O'Conor's Letter,
01 'he O'Byrnes and their descent, in December 15th, 183^', p. 67.
Dr. John O'Donovan's " Annals ol the ^ IbuL, p. 6S.
Four IMasters," vol. v., n. (t.), pp. 174(1 ^' ibid., p. 69.
to 1748, and n. (n.), p. 1840. '3 il,ij_^ |,. 70.
340 HISTORY OF THE queen's COl^XTY.
Glanmalicre ; am] of his eldest son, Thomas Fitz,t,'cM:il(l, of IMoret, Esquire ;
and of liis wife, a dauglitcr of John Piijut, of Dysart, Ksqniie. His
eldest son, Stephen Fitzgerald, of Morot, l^^squire ; and ol his wife, a
daughter of Henry Gill)ert, of Killminchy, Fsqnire ; & of his wife, a
daugliter of Sir Gregory liyme, Bart. He died the i8th day of April,
:.754. This monument is erected here, in lionour to their JMemory.
i^y liis eldest son, Stephen Fitzgerald, of Moret, Jisquire, a.d. 1764." '3
In 1657, the parish of Tymoge seems to have been united with what
was regarded as a separate one, Timalioe ; and the living was worth
X16 per annum, the Earl of Kildarc being patron. ^-i- The road fron''
Stradbally to Ballynakill passes through this parish, wliilo the Straid
River runs along its west side. The li\'ing. in iN.;/, \vas a rectorv walucd
at /119 ^5 in the diocese of Leighlin, and in the |)atron;ige of the .Alarquis
of Lansdowne ; the -tithi's amounting to (,150 Kis. <)d.^<J In the Romai'
Catholic arrangements, Timogue is united with the parish of Stradball3^I7
In 1831, the po])ulation was 300 ; in 1834, f'"- R^>man Cathi^lics then
numbered 2S0, while the Protestants were 39 ; in loai, tlie t<")tai poj[)ula-
don v.'as 367 ; ^'^ and since tlien it has considerably dinunishcd.
Ballyquillane was an ancient parish, lying three miles south of Strad-
r.'ally town, and touched or traversed by the road leading from Thurlc?
re Atliv. It was formerly a rectory in the diocese of Eeiglilin, and it
was valued in the king's books, at £1 5s.; but it has l)eew so corni^letely
ix":corporated with some adjoining jxarish, that no trace of it appears
:'n docum.ents of the present century. ^y To us it seems, that the present
;ownland of Ballycoolan,2o in the parish of Timogue, represents it,
and if so, that ancient parish probably included 722a. or. 32/). The
position as described ])roves also the correctness of this identification.
This townland is for the most part hilly, but it comprises some good
land. The im]:)ropriate rectory of Balleaquillan, or Balliquiilane, in
Stradbally harony, had a residence in 1616.-' Its vicar was the same
Bladesmith, who resided in Fonstown. The living was worth ('S. The
church and its chancel were ruinous. Anthony St. Leger was hound to
build the chancel, before the Feast of All Saints. There were no books
there, but what bck)nged to t'le vicnr.
CHAPTER LIV. — Parish oe Tully oi-; Tullowmoy.
The parish of Tnllowmoy — sometimes abridged in dentiniinalion to
'fully — lies partly in the baron}^ of Stradbally,' and inuily in that ot
Ballyadams.- It is situated about four nnles south by east from
I'' See Sir Charles ('note's "General -'Mi is slinwn on the "Ordnance
View of the .Aj^riculLure an;' !^,Ianu- Survey Towniaml jMaps for tlu' (,)ucen'>
tactures of the Queen's County," chap. County," sheet 19.
i., sect. 3, p. 10. -1 Accortlin^ to " l.iher Regalis \'isi-
ifi See " The National Crazetteer," tationis," a.i-., iokj. 'L'liere is a manus-
vol. iii., p. 6(jr. script copy of it m the I.ilirary ot the
"'The nett tithes were /ii^ 3s. lod. Royal Irish Academy, classed 23, F. i.
I'' See Lewis's " Topograpiiic;d Die- 1 This portion contains 5, 330^. i>'. 20,'7.
tiouary of Ireland," vol. ii., p. ')25. - Tliis portion contains hyya. ^r. 3J,'5.
1'^ See " Parliamentary rrazetteer of The p:irish is fully described on the
Ireland," vol. iii., p. 33.1. " Ordnauci- Survey Townland Maps tor
''•^ See zY'/f/, \n[. 1., p. 191. the t~)ueen's Countw" Sh'/ets IQ, j;, 31.
PA'USTI OF TUI.LY OR TTTI.LOW^rOY. 34T
Straclballv, and on the road to CasUecomcr, in the County of Kilkenny. 3
riie sonlhern district and part of the central form part of the Slicve-
marigue mountain range, the highest ground in the south having an
altitude of 1,070 ft. aliove the sea level. In a general view the other
districts are ornate and champaign ground. Tlie rivulet Straid rises
among the mountains near the southern boundary, and it flows north-
Vv'ards, running through a romantic glen by Clopoke, in through the
interior of the parish,4 until it joins the Bauteogue River, at Stradbally
Hall demesne.
In the reign of James I., 5 the Rectory of Tymoge and Tullomoy
had for its Rector Walter Falham. He was a reading minister.^ The
value of Tymoge was /8, while that of Tullomoy was /6. Tiie church
and cliancel of this union were in good repair, 7 and furnished with
communion books in English and Irish. S In 1640, the rectory here
was worth £15 per annum. In 1657, Tully or Tullowmoy, in Ballvadams
Barony, consisted of Tully only, and it was an entire rectory at that
time. Then it had fallen to £4 in value. The Commonwealth received
the profits. The church was reporlcd to be in bad re])air, and having
no minister.9 Tullamoy is interpreted to nn au tlie hill of the plain,
and it is bounded on the north b}' the parish of Tirp.ogue, on the nortli-east
by the parish of Ballyadams, on the south by the parish of Tecolm
and Rathaspick, and on the west by the })ca-ishes oi liysert Gallen and
Cullenagh. The two side walls of the old parochial church of Tullamoy
remain. 10
The hamlet of Luggacurren contains a Catholic chapel. The people
show a Druidical altar — most probably, however, a sepulchral momnnent
— together with two ruined churches, within the bounds of Tullowmoy.
One of these objects was the former church, which took the same parochial
denomination ; while the other is known as Clopoke. The Piper's Pit
and Ass's Manger are among the local curiosities." Tliere is a remarkable
Dun, at Luggacurren, on the north side of which, we are told, is a cave
6 ft. h'gh, by 4 ft., at bottom and top. The rock roof is perfectly level,
as also the rock floor of the cave, which winds in a serpentine form.
It is Soft, below the level of the plain, and 200 ft. below the summit of
the Dun, 12 which has a very remarkable appearance, as if in part arti-
ficially fashioned.
2 Sco ].L\vit,'s " Topoc;raphical Die- could read ami jtreach in the Irish
tionnry of Ireland," vol. ii., p. 656. lan,!:;uagc.
■• Sco " Parliamentary Gazetteer of ■' See Sir Cliarlcs Coote's " General
Ireland," vol. iii., p. 421. View of the Agriculture and ?\Ianu-
^ Accordin;;; to tlie " Liber Regalis factures of the Queen's County,"
Visitationis." chap, i., sect, 3, p. 12.
'' As distinguished from a preachin.u ^" See Letters containing Information
minister. ' relative to the Anticjuities of the Queen's
■^ From this statement, it is difiicult County collected during the Progress of
to say, wiiether the church at Tymoge, the Ordnance Survey in 1838, vol. ii.
or that at Tullomoy, be meant ; but. Letter of Thomas O'Cunor, dated,
it was most proliably the former. Ca'Iow, December 23rd, 183S, pp.
8 We are anxious to ascertain, if an 2_|8, 249.
Anglican Church Communion Book, or '^ See " ParHamentary Gazetteer of
Book of Common Prayer, had been Ireland," vol. iii., p. 421.
])rinted at this period. "Perhaps it -^vas ^- See Daniel O'Byrne's " Mistory of
only in manuscript ; but, great elTorts the Queen's County." chap, v., p. 12.
were made by the Government of Atterwards follows some curious Folk-
]{ngland at the time to secure ministers lore, in reference to this Dun, or Doon,
Tor the appropriated churches, and who as pronounced by the inhabitants.
3-42 HISTORY OF THE QHEKX'S COUNTY.
The parish of Tiillowmoy was a roctorv, vahh^J at (3.'')4.'-'' ^^^ '•■
separate benefice, belonj^ing to the Diocese ol l.ei^-;hhn. before the
Disestabhshment of the Protestant Church, the Diocesan being patron,
the Tithe Composition and gross income being /300, the nett £283,
although there was n.o church, the incuml)ent being non-resident, while
a curate recei\-ed a salary of /lo for per.orming occasional duties. In
1834, the Protestant inhabitants only numbered 15 ; while the Roman
Catholics were 1.404 in number.i-i That population has since very
considerably diminished. In the Catholic parochial arrangement,
this parish is united \vith the old parishes of Rathaspeck and Ballyadams.
The old church at Clopook or Clopoke ^5 occupies a very beaut ful
situation, on a high hill, rising over the bank of the River Straid. Not
far removed is the fa!uous Dun or Doon of Clopoke. This stood on an
isolated rock, and apjmrently its sides were scarped, to render it nearly
circular on the to]). There, "the diameter is said to be nearly no yards ;
and that surface is now nearly level. However, around the edges are
the remains of a circumvallation, built with stone and lime cemxent.
It is stated, that near the verge of the circle slood a castle in former
times, and that at its foundations were two compiartments ; the principal
chamber being 15 ft. by 14ft. The name in Irish is said to have been
Dun-Cluain-Phuc, interpreted " the fortress of the lonely spirit." No
wonder that the country people have many curious t^-aditions regardmg
this interesting old fort and its surroundings ; while those legends have
been amusingly introduced bv the local historian, 16 as if they wore grave
matter for history. The height of the Dun from the adjoining surface
of the land is more than 140 ft. on the north and east ; while, it is nearly
of equal height in other directions. The steep sides of the Dun are thickly
studded round with blackthorns, whitethorns, saplings and briers,
so as to render access quite impossible, except at an opening which is
near the cave, on the face of the rock and far below the old fortification.
This is at the south-west side. The opening is about seven yards in
width, and about three in height. As a person advances inwards, the
cave contracts to from four to Vive yards in breadth. At thirteen yards
from the entrance, it becomes very narrow ; and there it is closed up
with dry stones, to prevent cattle from descending into what is thought
to be an inner bed for this remarkable natural cavern. Tradition has
it, that the Dun, which is ascended by a series of irregular steps, was
once a strong fortress of the 0'i\Ioores.
It is stated, in the Egerton Tripartite Life of St. Patrick, that his
disciple, St. Fiacc,^7 was wont to retire from Sletty in the beginning
of Lent, and to dwell in a retired place, at Drum Coblai, where he had
a cave. The introduction to the Hvmn on St. Patrick states, that it
was at Duma Gobhla, to the north-west of Sleibhte. Now, the Rev.
John Francis Shearman asserts, that Duma Gabhla is identical with
the remarkable hill called the " Doon of Clopook," i.e., the Fort of
the Piioca's Rock, which is directly north-west of Sletty, from which
it is distant about sevuu miles. 'S In reference to it, we are inlormed,
13 See " Tlie National Gazetteer," Survey Townland Maps for the Queen's
vol. iii., p. 6q7. County," Sheet 19
1' See " Parliamentarv Gazetteer of i« See Daniel 0'13yrne s History ot the
Ireland," vol, iii., p. 4::"i. Queen's County," chap, iv., pp. lo to 1 2.
15 This townland contains 342«. \y. i- ITis feast in our calendar is at the
35p. It is shown on the "Ordnance ijth of October.
TECOLM CHUF^CH.
See pai^L' 337,
Vh>
by\
CLOPOOK CHUUCH,
E. O'L.
\ol I.
Sco paye 342 ,
PARISH OF TULLY OR TULLOWMi > V. 343
fuitliorinore, liow a legend still linj^ers m tl'.c locality, th?it at a time
now loni;' ]iast, a saint nscd to retire to this cave for the purpose of })rayer
and of fasting, and that having spent sonu- time in these penitential
exercises, he used to return to his church In* a subterranean passage
leading towards the south, and which the j^easantry yet believe to be
in existence. J 9
Tlie old church near this spot is now a ruin, (he nave of which
measures 38 ft. in length l)\- 20 ft. in Ix'eadlh. ']'he walls are 3 ft. m
thickness, and although built with suli'ace stone, and not wholly i)erfect,
the portions remaining are well preser\'ed and co\n\(l with iw. The
wt^st gable and wall are gone. The door was m ihc south side wall. A
window was on either side wall. There is a choir attached, and it is
'_'() ft. in length by 14 ft. in width. There is an end window in ;(s gable,
but the side walls arc greatly ruined. There is a beautiful choir arch.,
connecting with the nave, having been built with chiselled stones, and
elegantly turned. At present, it is about 5 ft. over-ground from tlie
springing of the arch ; iMit the soil beneath has been hlled up with gra^•es.
The origin of this church is involved in great obscurity. It was probably
u>ed as the parish church before the time of the Commonwealth, when.
as we are informed, Clopoke or Cloghpoke in Cullinagli had hve townlands
annexed.-"-' Within tlie choir may yet be seen the llag-tomb of Rev.
Roger ?iIoore, said to have been born in 1640, and to have died December
28th. A.D. 170') -I — another account lias it m 1720.-- There is not a
more touching inscri])tion in all Ireland, than tlu' few lines inscribed
on the rude tomb-stone that covers the graxe. It i-uns thus : — " Roger
Moore, Pi'iest. to our greefe is dead, and m this narrow grave now takc.-^
his rest, let all that reads this with devotion, pray God rest his soul in
peace. Anreii say." According to tradition, he v\'as one of five brothers,
who were priests. They are said to have been th.e last male heirs of
the O'Moores of Stradbally. Two or three of these are thouglit to have
been buried beneath this flag. One of the live, Father Bryan 0' Moore,
IS said to have built a Catholic Church at Arless, where he lies buried.
A cemetery surrounds the old church, and it is yet much resorted to
for interments. Here lie the remains of the Rt'V. James O'Byrne,
said to have been a relative of Sir Daniel O'Dyrne, iormerly of Timogue.
Ash and hawthorn trees cover the graveyard, which is filled with tombs
and headstones, inscribed and uninscribed.-3
^=* Si.'e " Loca Patriciaaa," Wi. IX., 1,3926). 2 >. 2j p. in tlie Diocese of
p. 195. Orisory comes into the Queen's County,
^'■' See ihid., p. 196. and that is shown ou the " Orchiance
-" Sec Sir Charles Coote's " General Survey Townland Maps lor the Queen's
View of the Agriculture and JNIanu- Count}'," Sheet 35. The remainder,
factures of the Queen's ("ounty," chao. i , containing 5.546M. i r. 21 p., is shown
sect. 3, p. II. on the " OrdnaiK:e Survey Maps for
-' Accordino; to Daniel O'Byrne's the County of Kilkenny," Sheets 4, 5, 9,
" History of the Queen's Counly," chaj). 10. Still smaller is the portion of
XV., p. 3S. Glashare l^ansh near it — only 432 a.
2- According to a ^vriter, ai the i r. 27 p. in the Queen's C©unty, shown
Leinster Leader of i\.]iri! 21st. 1883. on Sheets 34, 35 ; while that portion in
^■' Besides the foregoing ])arishes, the Counly of Kilkenny, 2,326 a. O r.
only a small portion of Aharnev Parish, 22 p., 1.-. ilesrrilnd on Sheets 3, 4. S, 9.
344
HISTORY OF THE QUEEN S COl'NTV.
BOOK IV.— GItNHRAL HISTORY.
CHAPTER I. — AxxALS of the Fifth, Sixth and Sevi:nth Centuries.
Tiii: lirst Christiari King of Leix, named Barr, is stated to have been
t!ie tenth in descent from Laighscach, son of Sairbile, son of Carthan.^
Again we are told, that Ibar,- the Bishop, ba|,)tiscd Barr's twelve sons,
w/.., — four at Li;ina, live at Maig Keta, and three at Feib. Barr gave
Ibar his ;/(? and his iiidud for ewr, in return for tlud favour. B\- iid
we are to understand " principalit\' " or " district," bN' iiidiw. a })ro]ier
tribute or reward. The ancient Kings of Leix and their order of suc-
cession and jurisdiction here require some notice. (_)ne prince governed
tlie seven septs of Leix to the time of Barr. 3 The genealogist in the
l>ook of Leinster repeats the privileges of the Princes of Leix, in the
j;erson of Barr, and says the Prince of Leix was not obliged to cnlertaui
the ro_yal giollas of the King of Laigen, but the giolla of the King ol
Laigse Reta, and he was not obliged to entertain the K4ng of Leinster
but only en his journey. The chiefs of Leix are rc})resente(i, among the
other chiels of Leinster, with their respective musters of men.4
About the beginning of the sixth century, Christianity appears to
liave been g(-nerally established in Leix, as we Imd various religious
erections and holy iiersons witiiin its bounds at that ]jeriod. One ot the
most celeljrated saints and ])r(>[)hets in the early Irish Church \vas Bcc-
Mac-De, wlio is said to have been eighth in descent from Niall of the Xine
Hostages. Accei>ting such statement, as Niall of the Nine Llostages h\-i'd
early in the Fifth Century, so eight generations should bring Bec-I\Lic-I)e
at least into the seventh century. 5 Another pedigree derives his descent
from Noem or Noah, son to Gas I\Iac Tail, ancestor of the Dalcassians,
and of Olioll Olum's race.'-^ (^ne of his re]:)uted ]:)redictions has reference
to the district of Leix. 7 Thr least of tliis Bee occurs on the I2th of
' Acconliny to the I\c\-. Patrick
M'Louyhliu's Abiicl^L'incut ui an Extract
i;Mj)ied in the Bu(jk ol Lecau, and talvi-n
originally from the Book of I^einstcr.
See at p. 156. At iol. 93, in the Leabhar
beacan, begins the Genealogies of
Leinster, taken from the Leinster Book,
and they finish at folio 109.
- Su])posed to have been the patron of
Beg Eri, and \vh(3se feast occurs at the
23rd of April. He flourished al>out the
time of St. Patrick's Mission in Ireland.
^ According to the Rev. Patrick
M'l^oughlin's " Summary of the JJoolc
of Lecain," at y>. 157.
* In a INLmuscript of the Royal Irish
Academy and classed No. 40, 5, a
Pa])er 0\iarto. See tlie " Catalogue
of .Mainiseripts," there preserved. N'dl.
-' Yet Ills (.leath is chronicled at a.d.
357, in Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the
Four ]\lasters," vol. 1., pp. 191), 197,
and n. (z.) And in the " Annals 'jf
Clnnmacnoise," edited by Rev. 1 )eni3
Murphy, S.J., it is stated, he began to
" propliesie," a.d. 550. See p. 83.
Dublin, i«()(3, .Svo.
'' See Roderick 0'i'"laherty's " Ogygia,"
pars, iii., ca]). Ixxxii., p. 3S6.
•■ In the Leabhar Breac we ha\e an
account of the Prophet Bec-Mac-De's
hrst prediction, in which amongst other
adverse events foretold, relating to
\"arions ])arts of Ireland, we read LaiJit
op chach, wliich means, Leix above all
ol/icys. And soon afterwards, it is said,
tiiat from tiiis general period of dt -
])res^i^lIl. Irc'Lmd will be without gooii
lo tlu-' (j,i\' ()[ gi iinal juilgiiieiit
ANNALS Ol' -rU!-: FIl-Tir, ^IXTH AND SMVFNTH CKN"! TK 1 1- S. -^,45
October, and he flourished aljout the middle oi the sixtli ceiilury, liaving
hved contemporaneously witli St. CohTmlalle. Among the sons of
I]:irr, according to tradition, one named Kochaici was married to Sanct-
lethan, who is called queen to that king of Leix. With her St. Coeman —
having from her the surname Sanctlethan postfixed — hved as a little
gille in bondage. Witli great difhculty did Bishop Jbair obtain from her
the boy, and apparcnth' to train him for the ecclesiastical state. She
consented, however, at last, but with the condition, that he should also
bear her name. She predicted, likewise, that Coeman should draw
Bishop Ibair's monks avv'ay from him, although he was then so anxious
to take him for the monastic hfe. This prediction was ai'te'-wards
verified, when Coeman founded a monastery on the brink oi Loch
Carman, now Wexford Lough, in Hj^-Cennsaleigh.^ iTom him the
pkice was called Airne Coemain, now Ardcavan, near Beg En. St.
C(jeman's feast is licld on the 12th of junf.9
We find published from an old document a list of parishes in tlie
territory of Laisia,!'^ from which it would seem, that the portion of the
Queen's County , now com])rised within the Diocese of Leighlin,
formerly belonged to Leix. But, in add.ition to these parishes, a very
considerable portion, if not the whole, of the present Of'fenlan ar.d Kyle
r-arisiies. Queen's Counly, now in the Dioceses of Ossory and of Killaloe,
once appears to have belon.ged to Leix. In the time of St. Molua, wlio
fiourislied towards the close of the sixtli and commencement^of the seventli
century, Beracli is related to have been the ruler over Tx'ix. At the
desire of the holy man, this Berach bestowed a site for a monastery,
on the southern slope of Slieve Liloom, and just on the borders of the
Leinster and Munster pro\'mces. In fact, adjoining the regions of
Heh, of Ossory, and of Leix — bat within the latter — the religious es-
tablishment of Clonicrt Molua," now Kvle,'- near Borris-in-Ossorv,
was erected. This serves to define the south-western boundary of the
territory about the period indicated. Near Clonfert ]Molua, likewise,
was situated on the little River Mena, in the present tov/nland of
Monadrehid,i3 the monastery of St. Laisrcn.M The Mena also tiowed
through the territory of Leix, into the River Nore. Now it would seem
this latter stream, just near its source, must have divided the ancient
territory of Leix from that of Ossory, at that quarter, about the beginning
of the seventh century ; for, at a subsequent period, the lands of Ossory
included Offerlane 1.=! and Kyle ])arishes. It is also ]:)robable enough,
that the River Nore continued to be the south-western boundarv of
^ Sec " TransactiLiiis of Uic Royal njlis feast occurs at t!ie 16th of
Irisli Academy." Irish I\Ia!iusoni)t September. See " rJartyrology of
Series. Vol. i., Part i.. On tiie Calendar Donegal," pp. 2^0, 251.
of Oengiis. By Whitley Stokes, LL.D. ^^ In his " Feilue " or " Festilogium."
Scholia, p]). ci., cii. St. Aengus places the festival of St.
'■' According to the Irish Calendars. Caomhan, at the 3rd of Novemoer. His
1*^ See Seward's "Topographical Die- monastery was situated at Annatrini, m
tionary of Ireland." Appendix. the Parisli of Ollerrilan. Tlie scholiast
11 See Fleming's " Collectanea Sacra," of St. Aengns describes his church as
Vita S. Molu:c, cap. xxx., p. 374. coming within the antient territory of
1- In the Barony of Clandonagh, at Leix. Hence, too, we may infer, that
present; formerly it was m Upper a considerable part of Oiierrilan Parish,
Ossory. and the Barony of Upperwoods, though
1" A district in the Barony of Clan- now belonging to Ossorv, at an earlier
donagh. period lay within the Leix district.
3 I'J IIISTORV OF THE QUEENS COllNrV.
Lei.\, in the sixth ccutury, and even eaiiici'. until the present southern
line of Offcrlane parish and of Upperwoods I'.arony lelt its banks near
the junction of tlie Mena stream, for tlie line of the River Gully, which
was followed down to its junction wiih tin- Xore. An old popular
tradition prcvailod, moreover, that the lormer territory of Leix extended
from the Rivcv (jully to the Ivivcr Harrow : "^ and, indeed, these should
liave formed the natural defensive boundarle_-^, or at least lines of
demarcation.
While Bcrach was ruler over Leix, he is said to have offered his own
castle and lands to St. Molua for the establishment of his monastery.
This g-encrous gift was refused, however, and the holv abliot asked for a
site on the southern slope of Slieve Bloom, where Ivyle gravevard is now
to be seen. This was immediately granted to him, and Ijerach imposed
a tribirte on his people, moreover, for the suppcit of this institution.
The monastery erected tliere was aflrrwards called Clonfert Molua, from
the namt.' of its founder, ;ind it became most cc.'lebrated for the great
mimber of monks that flocked thither, and who led lioly lives. The
feast of this great saint was held on the jfh of August — ])robably the
date for ins death — while the year of his decease is set down at a.d.
605, bv the Four Masters, ^7 and at 608, in the Annals of Ulster, 18 and
1)V Archbishop lissher.i9 Bearach or j-iarr IkuI a son named Nadsicr,
who had a son called Aongus, while the latter was father of a son also
named Aongns. This latter Aongus the second \vas faflit-r to Beannaigh.
His son was f'earnach. lie had a son named Maolaighin, who had a son
named iNIeisgil ; yet according to another account, Meisgill is called the
son of Maelaithgliin, son of Baccan, who built the fort of Rath-Bacain in
Magh-Reda -" according to some accounts. .Meisgil is said to have been
father of Eochagan.^i We also learn from our Annals, that St. Oena or
Oenus, the son of Eoghan,^^ of the Laighis Iveto and called Mac Ua
Laighsi, was Abbot of Clonmacnois, on the banks of the ]\iver Shannon,
King's County. After holding the abbacy 36 years, he died. a.d. 570.-3
According to the Four blasters and Colgan,-4 his death is ])laced at 369.
Much uncertainty appears to exist regarding the extension of ancient
Leix towards and be^'ond the south-eastern ijarony of Slievemarigue,
m the Queen's County. This was jjroljably a more widely-enlarged
1'' Such is the statement the writer has -^ Sec Dr. O'Uonox-an's " Annals of
lu'ard Ironi an humble peasant, who yet the Four IMasl'_rs," \ul. i., p. 539,. n.
had a great j^ricic of laniily ancestry, (h,)
antl a vast rcmge of local historic and -^ See the forc'^^tjiug series of Rcnea-
traditional lore, in connexion with the logies set down m John O'llart's
okl tril)cs and lands of Lei.K. His name "Irish Pediy.rees ; or, the Origin and
was l^itriclc Lrdor, of rullinagh, but Stem of the Irish Nation," vol. i., part
much Ijetter known as " I'addv the iii., chap iii., Ir. Cienealogics, p. 324.
ilr. -ler," owing to his activity- and . Fourth i-diliun. Dublin, 1SS7. 8vo.
jiroiiciency at tlie game of "hurling," -- Acconlmg to the Dubhn copy of
once tlie chief jiastime of the Queen's Ti'_;heru.'Lli, he is represented as ruler of
County geiitr}' aaid peasantry. this tlistnct at I_^eix. Manuscript in
^" See Dv. O'Donovan's edition of Timity College, Dnblm, classed IL. I.,
these Annals, vol. i., pp. 230, 231. 18.
^^ See Ivev. Dr. O'Conor's " Jverum -^ See William ;\r. Ilennessy's "Chronir
Hibernicanuii Scriptores," Tomus iv . cum Scotorum," ])p. 58, 50, ami n.
Annales lUtonienses ; at that date. 4.
!'■' See " Britaunicarum Ecclesiarum 24 5 ^.(^. •■ A,:ta Sanctorum 1 filicrnice,"
Antiqmtates," and " Index Chrono- x.-cix jauu.ini. Vila S. CiUd.e JJadonici,
logicus," p. 536. n. 13.
ANNALS OF Tllli FIFTH, SIXTH AND SFVENTH CFNTURIi:S. J47
rec^ion in earlier times, and reaching more southwardly inlo the present
county of Kilkenny ; for, as in the case of many Irish territories, the
vicissitudes of tribal com])l!cations and fortunes had caused contractions
or expansions of outlying districts in several well-known instances. So
far as I.eix itself was concerned, its earliest bounds were certa'inly more
extended, and as centuries rolled over, its boundaries were retluced to
a narrower coni]K;ss. Especially in this direction, we submit the follow-
ing accounts, wliich may serve to enlighten us. res|X'cting its remoti;
tollograph3^ The mountain range of Slie\^emargue seems to have been
formerly known as Mairg Laighean.-.s This may be infen-ed from a
historical tale, contained in the Book of Leinster,-'^ a MS. of the twelfth
century. There two champions in conversation are introduced, while
standing on the banks of tli'' Iviver Liffey. C-onnall Ccarnach is thus
addressed by Lughaidh Mac Xa d-tri Con : — " I shall go," said
Lughaidh, " upon iJealaeh Gabhruain.-^ till I get on Belach Smechuin.
Now go thou upon Gabhair on i\Iairg Laighean, that we may meet on
3.1agh Airgead-Ros." According to Dr. O'Donovan, the latter
plain w^as situated on the River Nore, m (.)ss(;ir\' ; whilst its
})osition was marked by the fort of Rath Blieathaidlr os Jioir i n-Airgcad-
Ivos, now Rathve:i'.:h -^ on the River Nore. He conjectured, likewise,
tiiat Gabhair was the name of a road, which probal)ly extended from a
point somewhere near Carlow and across the Slievemargue hills in the
Queen's County. This, he thought, determined the bouhdary betvi'ec'U
I.aigliin Tuaih-ghabhair, or " Lemster north of Gabhair," and I.aiijjnii
Dcas-ghablucir, or " Leinster south of Gabhair," although the exact
position and extent of Gabhair cannot be correctly ascertained.-'' That
old roads led in various directions on or through the Slievemargue moun-
tain.T may be admitted ; for, not only ancient settlements, at diiierent
])uints there, must have had some such lueans for nuercommumcation,
l)Ut even the existing remains of former hciiljchs, /uihurs, and !oi:hcys are
\et traceable. ]3ut, as Dr. O'Donovan has not determined the English
equivalent for Gabhair, it has been contended that tliis denomination
means not a road, but a vioiniiain. The word is thought to be cognate
with Gabhrann,3<J Gabhra, Galdiraun, and some one or otiier of these
-s The plain of IMagh Ailbc is stated county formed part of the kinqdom of
to liave l)een situated eastwards Ossory. lie adds : " The name of
from Sliabh Mairgi. See Usshcr's " Pri- Uisyaii;aqh modernised in 0.~.sory is
mordia," cap. xvii., pp. 936, 937. supposed to be expressive of its local
-'■ The original is now preserved in the situation, being compounded of the GaeUc
Lilirary of Trinity College, Dublin, and words C/z's^'c, water, and )ic:;!:aJ!J, king-
classed H. 2, 18, among the manuscripts. dom, as lying between Ihu ri\-ers and ex-
-'■ According to Dr. "Ross INIacCeoghe- tending to their junetiou. The portion
gan, Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin, in lying between the Nore and Harrow is
his account of the Diocese to Colgan he sometimes excluded from the kingdoni of
has Bealach Garbhaim in the Slieve Ossory ; it was anciently styled yyyf' rco^'-
Bloom Mountains. See " Trias Thauma- hain gabhran ; the southern part of this
turga," Appendix to St. Brigid's Acts. county was some times called Co»iar na
■-■'See " Annals of the Four Masters," tri uisgc, the high district of the three
vol. i., for the situation of Rath Beo- waters. The countries or Ely O'Carrol
thaigh, at a.m. 3501, ])[). 26, 27, and and Hy-carthin comprised some of the
nn. (g. h.), and pp. 34. 35. north-west portion of this county. The
'-" See Dr. O'Donovan's " Lealdiar kingdom was sometimes tributary to
na g-Ceart, or Book of Rights." Intro- Leinster, and sometimes to I\Iunster." —
duction, p. Ix. " Statistical Observations relative to the
30 We are told by William Tighe, that (:ouuty of Kilkenny, made iu the years
in ancient times the whole of Kilkenny iSooand 1801." Part i.. sect. 2, pp. 11, 12.
34'*^ insTORV oi- nil--: out-ex's cottntv.
etymons appears to designate dilterent districts, and frequentlv the same
}')lace, on that mountanious tract extending from near Athy in the
County of Kildare, to Gowran in the (bounty of Ivilkenny. As Gabhair
has been identified with a portion of i^Iairg, it lias been asserted tliat
the title of Mairg or Mairgi was not confined to tlie ]:)rescnt barony c>f
Shevemargue, 1)ut that it mchided continuations of that liillv district
southwards, a.nd even so far as the present town of Gowran.si
Assuming tliat St. Goban, who is described as of Mairgi o Tick S'rinfhi;!,
i.e., Tigh Scuitliin or Teach Schotin on Shabli-iMairgi, and who is venerated
there on the; 23rd of 1\Ia\-. must be idcntilicd with the locahty of Tascoflin,
111 the john^wcll IMouiuians, County of t\ilkennv, it does not seem
necessarily to follow, thai (labhair must have been co-extensive with this
entire ridge of hills. Far better are the nifcrences from the " Will of
Cathair More, 3- " or rather from the poem of l>cnean, " the gifted sage,"
following it, that " the I'l-Drona of Ceann Gabhra " were placed at the
head of Gabhra or Gabhair. Dr. O'Donovan says that Ccaiin Gablu'j.
i.e., " heacJ of the horse," 33 must have been the name for some remark-
able hill in Idrone, which was not known to him. 34 T!ie same poet
Renean records one of the stipends, " ten steeds to the King of blue
Gabhran," wliich was tlie King of Cashel's riglit of award. This is con-
strued to imply the Kmg of Ossory's rule over the shadov/y " l)!ue "
ridge of the Sliabhmargv or Gowran hills. At various jK'riods of the
day, owing to gcograpliical })(>sition, tlieir smnmits cast varie'd shades
over the vales beneath ; as in the forenoon, the eastern slopes are
illumined bv the morning sun, while the western or Ossorian side, when
viewed from the direction of Minister, appears as if shrouded in a garb
of blueish. clouding. When the meridian altitude has been attained.
the sun dissipates the morning fugs, and shedding his golden ra\s on
the " district of glens," as the valley of the Xore has been ]:>oeticall\'
called, the eastern or Leinstcr sides of the mountain merged into " ])lue "
sliadows, whe'u observed from Ix'V'ond tlie l;>arrow.35 It at)iv-:irs
sufficiently cstablislicd from the " Will (jf Cathair Mor," this monai-ch
bequeathed to his " iieree vigorous " son, Daire Barrach, v/ho was an-
cestor to the family of JlacGorman. chief of the Ui Bairrche, the charge
of sitting " with boldness " on the frontier of Tuath Laigliean, or North
Leinstcr, and 01 harassing the lands of Deas Ghabliair, or South Leinster.
This latter v/as anotlier name applied to Hi Ceinnsealaigh, and the
Ossorians appear to have l.^een included within it.3<j Daire Barrach
is also enjoined to " Ijc a ])owerful chamjnon over the green Gailians."
^1 The reader is referred to a very in- Gaura, Gaviran, reniLirks },Ir. Ilogan;
terestinc; paper on this sutiject, and and irom wliich conies the name Gowran
intituled, " Topographical and Historical . in Kilkenny county. Tlie word Garran
Illustrations of the Suburbs of Kil- or Ciarrawn, he says, more usually ap-
kenny," by Mr. Jehu Ilogan. See plied to an " old horse," comes from the
" Journal of the Kilkenny and Soutli- sauie root.
East of Ireland Archaeological Society." "•• See " Leabhar na g-Ccart, or Book
New Series, vol. iv., ])art ii., p. 2^3. of Ki'^^hts," pp. 212, 213, and n (1).
^- Sec Dr. O'Donovan's " Leabhar na '■^■^ See the observations of ]\Ir. Joliu
g-Ceart, or Book of Rights," pp. 193 to IIo;_;an, to wliose communication al-
203. This monarch nourished in the lubioii has been already made, at p. 254,
second century of the Christian era. and u. (4) Ibid.
^2 In each form of the word Gabliair '-^^ See l)r. 0'Dono\'an'-; " Annals (jf
Gabhra or Gal'ihran, the "b" is as- the Frnir Alaslers," vol. ii., at a.d. 9U'),
pirated, leaving the sound Gauair, pp. 59-', 593. an<J at a.d. 920, pp. 606, 607
anna: S OF THE llFTil, ,-IXTlI AND SEVEN Hi CENTUKIICS. J4()
•
Dr. O'Donovaii asserts this to be an ol.l luiiiie lor the Lai^hni!;h, or
Leinstermen. To the writer it seems appHcable to those peoi^iK' who
dwelt on the western slopes of Slievemargue, and about tlio.-,e lo\-cly
green dells, within the present district or parisli of Dysart Galk-n.^^?
In case such a supposition should prove rightly founded, v/e may form a
tolerably fair estimate of the territorial extent of the country assigned
t(_> him. We also very easily ascertain, that his portion skirted along a
very considerable and defensible quarter of North Leinster, in which
the whole of ancient Ui Bairrche was probably situated. In former times,
this territory and sept seem to have included a large tract of country,
extending from Ath Truistean, on the Ri\er Greece, near the Mill of
■Mullach Maistean,3S six miles eastward from Athy, in the present (^ountv
of Kildare, to the ford at Cill Corbnatan. Three families of tlnls race
were seated at Cluain Conaire,39 and Cill Ausaille ; ■\'-^ while three families
were living at Cill, namely, O'Laidhghcm, O'Caise, and O'Duibhchilline ;
while one family of the O'Mathaidh dwelt in the territory of Ui Eineach-
glilais ?.luighe. Such is the account furnished by Duald MacFirbisigh,
111 his })edigree3 of tlie Ui Bairrche. .So earlv as a-d. 484, Eochaidii
Guinech of the Ibh Bairrche and the men uf A radii Cliach mortally
wounded Cnomthann, son to Enna Cennselacli, King of Laighen.n
Formerh^ these people were seated between the fi-b)rona and the Ui
Muireadhaigh, and the churches of Ballaghmoon and Ivilleshiii were
situated within their bounds. 4- Hence, it would follow, tliat tliev lived
on eitlier side of the Barrow at an early ixaaod. But at a later date.-r^
they were placed solely on the western side of tliat river. After tlie
establishment of surnames, the chief lanub,- took tiie name O'Gorman or
MacGorman ; -h but shortlv alter the English invasion, the}' were driven
\\:om a great part of their original territory by the Baron Walter do
Riddlesford, who became master of all the lands about Carlow. Tlicn,
they seem to have taken refuge chielly in the mountainous district of
Slieveir.arguc.4.1 For some centuries, they disa[)}X'ar nearly altogether
from the Irish Annals. A party of them proceeded towards Ulster,
and another towards Owney, ni the County of Ti])perary, where thev
In'came very numerous, at a place called Doire Scinliath. Thence they
again removed, and afterwards they settled under the O'Briens, in the
territory of Thomond, now Clare County. There is a curiou-. account
of tluar (lisjiersion and seltlcment in ]\Iunster, gi\'en hv 'M:\v\-\n ( )g Mac
lUaiaalh.uilia or Ma(, rSrody, wlio m 1563 succeeded to be cliK'l poet 4^
■'■ It contai'.i;:, lO./Si acrrs. -"^ Sec " Lcahhar ikl i^-Ceaii, ov l.;n,)lc
■'■^ Now belU-r known as tlie Ivatli of of Ri.^hls," n. (111.) p. ::i2.
Mulhi!;lunast. '^ 'I'hey are called chiefs of Crioch in
^'' Now Cloncurrj\ a i>a!i:-;h m the Bairce, or lly 111 liairce — another name
t."c)unty of Ivildare. for Slievemari,L;ue. Sec " Annals of
'" Now KiUashei,', near Naas, and in the l^'our ]\Iaslers," edited by Owen
the plain of the Liliey. Connellan, Esq., and Philip MacDermott,
•*! According to the Marquis of Dro..;- f^sq., if.U., p. 240, n.
heda's copy of INIcFirbiss at p. 397, as ^^ There O'lluulhnn places these
slated by Dr. O'Donovan. See also westwar<,l of the liarrow.
William ]\I. Hennessy's " Chronicnni *'■ Hi,- died a.d. 1O02, and he was
Seotonuu," pp. 30, 31. considered llie l)e^l poet anil his-
'-' Dr. O'Donovan quotes tlie " I'Lilne torian of his tune m frelaud.
.lue^uis " at the 27th of lebruary. 4tli See Dr. O'Donovau's " Annals of
of Aprd, 8th of July, and joUi of the I''our Masters," vol. vi., pp. 2,320,
i)cli)lier, to pirove this statement. 2,321.
350 HISTORY OF TH1-: OUEKN S COUNTY.
to the tribes of Ibh Breacain,^^ or the O'Gormaiis, and Ibh Fearmaic, or
the O'Gradys. His poem on the O'Gormans contains two hundred and
seventy-six verscs/i^'^ He traces their iiedigrcL' Ixrck to Cathair ^lor,-!''
and, indeed even to Heremon, son of Milesius liiniself, who first landed
in Irchuid, A.:\t. 2035. It ^\•as composed on (lie occasion of electing
Donald 0'(iin-!nan, as chief of his tribe. ri'om this noble stock sprung
the O'Phelans or O'Whelans, the O'Dumies, the O'Dempseys, and the
(Hail Colgans. Few allusions are made to Teacli Schotin in medi.eval
limes. lM-i>m it, the present parisli of Tascofhn is named. S'-" Yet, no
doubt, events of some interest must have transjiired here. Tims jamts,
th.: second Jiarl of Ormonde is said Id h,!\'e defeated the MacAIurroughs
at this place in 1362, having slain hoo of tlieir sept. Si The anci^'ut
religious community at Tascofhn dot's not apj^ear to liave continued
tiiere for manv centuries after its loundation, as we can find few of its
abbots or monks noted in our annals. However, accorchng to an ancient
tradition, sewn bishops are saiti to have hcni buried within Tiscofliu
mur or ratli, a large circular enclosiu'e near the present Protestant church,
wfiich was erected not far from that S])ot in lyqh.'- The site of ancient
Teach Schotin was exceedingly picturesque, ;md it was on a considerable
height over an adjoining stream. Foiannly it was a relired spot, and the
hills around were covered with thick woods.
Althougii the present parish of Tiscoffm or Tascoffn^ is now wilhin
the barony of Gowran and County of Kilkenny, yet, ils old monastery
is placed by Archdall within the barony of Slievemarigue, near to the
mountain known by that name, and in the Queen's County. 53 Following
this statement, and owing to a very natural mistake, many writers have
located Teach Schotin — the more ancient name for TascoiTin — in the
south-eastern part of the latter shire. However, it may be observed
Tascolfin is onlv a corruption for Teach Schotin, meaning " the House
of Schotin," an early saint, whose religious establishment first gave it
the name 'so long preserved. The holy man vSchotin or Schotinus was
born towards the close of the fifth or about the beginning of the sixth
century. In youth, his piety was remru'kable, and to increase his virtue
and knowledge he resolved to place himself under the direction of St.
David, Bishop of Menevia, in Wales. 54 After his course of sacred in-
structions, Schotin returned to Ireland, when he sought out a place to
erect a religious establishment. He selected a spot among the Slieve-
m.arigue Mountains, where he bmlt a cell. This locality, however,
♦■^ Now Ibrickan, in the west of Survey. It is sho\\'Ti on the " Ordnance
Thomond, or Clare County. Survey Townland iMaps for County of
^'^ See Edward O'l^eilly's " Chrnno- Kilkenny," sheets 11, 15, jo.
logical Account of nearly l>"our Hundred ^1 See Lewis's " Topo,:^ra;)hical Die-
Irish Writers," pp. clxiv., clxv. tionary of Ireland," vol. ii., ]i. co'>.
*" He was monarch of Ireland, .\.d. ^- The Board of First Fruiis gave
174. From him the pedigree is traced /461 los. 9]d. for this purpose. See
to Hugony the Great. It is mentioned, " I'.-irliamentary Gazetteer ol Ireland,"
that from Conn of the Hundred Battks, vol. iii., p. 319.
the twentieth in descent from Hugon\-, ^'^ See " i\ioiiasticf)n Hibernicum," p.
are sprung the Clan Colla, the Clan 597.
Colman, kings of Rlcath ; the O'Neills, ''» A curious story is told of St.
the O'Conors, of Connaught ; the Scuithin or Yscolan, as he was called by
O'Roorkes, the O'Reillys, the O'Mealys, the Welsh, who saved St. David from
&c. See Ibid. tning poisoned. See Rees' " Lives of the
50 Accor('"i'_-; to the Irisli Ordnance Caml-ro-Bntish Saints," p. 409.
ANN'AI S OF niF. FIF III
.[\TII A\l) SEVENTH CENTURIES.
.;5i
has not born idriililiod in tlir ])rcsent barony of Slic\'(;nKir",n(\ Still
an ingcnions writer asserts, that Tigh Scuithin or Teach Scnitliin on
Shal)li-]\Iair;-ri mnst be sought for beyond the bounds of that barony,
but within its mountainous range, extending on towards the parish of
Tascoffin, in the Connt\' of Kilkenny. There Slialili-'\laii-;_:i terniinatt^s
in the j^resent Johnswell ^Mountains. There, too, we are told, St. Scuithin
built his house on the brow of a mountain streani. and most ])roba_bly
on the site of the present Tascolhn Church, near Frenystown.55 The
lee,ond of this saint's life states, tliat he made more than one journey
ai;ross the sea to visit his former master, St. David, and that he even
went to Rome in a miraculous manner. In that ele'^ant and masterly
]>()em of Denis Florence MacCarth^^, allusion is ma.de to his stated mode
of transit, in th.e narrative recording the " Voyage of St. Brendan " : — ■
How the winds became the wiUing slaves
Of those who labour in tlie worlv of Coil ;
And how Scothiiuis walked upen the \va\-es,
Which seeiiK'il in hiin tlie nieadows' verdant sod.^''
St. Scliotin's festival day is assigned to the 2nd of Januar\', Ijy St.
.Tingus the Culdee, and our later Martyrdogists ; but the year of his
death is not known. lbs feast was celeln'ated at Tea.ch Schotin,57
regarding which place few other records remain. However, a St. (iol'an
or Goibhnenn of this }>la.ee was venerated here 5^ <i!i the '.^^^rd of i\tay,
according to our Calendars. ^9 He prolniblv llouiishetl about the early
part of the seventh century, havmg li\'ed coiitemporaneously with
St. I .aserian, jjat'-on of Leighhn diocese.''''
A singular legend seems to have jirevailed,'" that so earh' as the
sixth century — a.d. 590 is the date — one Gurmund, said to have Ixen
a chief pirate of the Norwegians, and an African, ac(|uired a jKut of
Ireland from the Norwegians, and tlien caused himself to be riruelaimed
King of Ireland.'^2 He built a Castle at Gormagston. He h.id'a son and
heir Burchard, who was chief of l.agenia. His successor was commonly
called Gormagheyn. held to t)e chief '^3 of Leinster and baron of Alargee.
Moreover, that Gurmund is said to have conquered Ireland, to have lust
opened a way to the men of this country in the Irish Sea, and afterwards,
to have been sent for by the Saxons, who waged a war with thi' Brnis!)
■''•Sec j\Ir. pihn lIoL;an's learned i.nn-
tribution, " rupoi^raphical and liis-
toncal Illustrations of the Suburbs of
Killvenny," published in the " Journal
of the Kilkenny and South-East of
Ireland Archa;olo.Q;ical Society." Nev,'
S'.Mies, vol. iv., part ii., pp. 253, 254, arid
u. (4).
■•'' See " The Bell - Founder, and
other Poems." Stanza 8, and note 61,
pp. 1S2, 231, 232.
■•~ See Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum
Hiberniae," Januarii ii., p. 10, and notes.
Hid.
''^ He does not seem to have lived long
here, and it is said he afterwards nioveil
to Killamorey. See Rev. Jolin Francis
Shearman's " Loca Patriciana," No. xi. ,
p. 287.
^^ See " Martyrology of Tallagh,"
ediled by Rev. Dr. l\<lly, p. xw., and
" jNIartyroiogy oi Donegal," edited by
Drs. Todd and Reeves, p. 137.
<"^ See the remarks of Air. Jo!m Hogan,
in the article already cpioted. n. (4),
pp. 253, 254.
^1 See the account, taken from the
romance put into circulation by Geoilrey
of Monmouth, and contairicd in the
" Annates Breves IIiberni;c," by Thady
Dowling, Chancellor of Leighlin, pp. 3,
4. Edited by Very Rev. Richard
Butler, A.B., M.ii.I.A.
''- It seems pretty evident, that this
story had been heard by James Grace,
who imperfectly introduces it, in Ids
" Annales Hibernix-," pp. 5, 6, and nn.
(h. i.)
•'^ He is styled, Ukevvise, " dux montis
Oneri'i."
552
HISTORY OF THE OUKENS COUNTY.
Kinq' Ccrofiriis or Carerticus. riunnuiKl conqucrecl him iii war, and
followed the liritons beyond the l\i^'el■s Sewrn and Dee. "-'4 Burchard,
the son of Gurmnnd, commonly called O'Cjorma-heyn, is asserted to
have been Duke of I.einster, to have Iniiltthe Grange of (jurmiind and his
own palace on Moimt IMargee ; he is said, also, to have founded the
Catlicdral Church, of Old Leighhn.^5 In it, too, tradition stated he had
been interred under a marble ■fomb, having his name inscribed on it.''*^
This was at the upper wall of the choir, and near the stall of the treasurer
of the chapter.''?
It is now time to resume the gejiealogical procession of the kings
of Leix, from him whose name has been last mentioned. Follownig
the order of Leixian descent, Eochagau had a son naiued Cathal,<J^ whirh
has been Anglicised Charles; and like Laoighscaeh, Awj^licisd! Lewib,
these have alwavs Ix^en favourite Christian r.ames in the O'iMoore
families. Cionaodh or Kenneth was the son of Catlial. Gaothin ]\Iordha
was the sou of Cionaodh. He was ancestor of the IMordhas, and
from him the O'Moores deri\'e their family najue. King Conchobar '^'^
was m.onarch of Ireland, while he ruled over Leix, and Fedhlemid,/^ son
of Crimthann, was king over jMunster. The hereditary family name
Mordha has been Latinized vuiieslicv.s or " the Majestic," and it is
stated, Gaoithin was tlie twent^^-eighth in descent ifoia Conall
.Cearnach.71 He is reputed to have been the restorer of the fortress
in Leix, called Rath-Bacain.72 The origin of the (VMcrdha, O'jMorra,
O'Morc or O'Moore is deduced from the most remarkable royal house
of Erin, in the heroic times ; that of the kings of Uladh, who reigned at
hhuan!a,73 until the destruction of that fortress bv the brother Princes
Colla Colla, of the Heremonian line of Conn of the Hundred l^attles, a.d.
'■■'The Annalist tlicn adds, that he
,l;uv'c I.Ioci;uia to the Saxcjns, and tli.it
he tlierc built Gurmondccstria, and after-
wards according to the history of Ireland,
he sailed over to conquer Gaul, ct cetera.
and that he there died ; Imt tliere were
Irish antiquaries who maintained, tliat
lie was not monarch of Ireland, and that
he only suliducd Lagenia and Midia,
which they did not regard as a conquest.
''■'' How e\'er, 'I'hadv Dowling adds: —
" Sed quitlam nomine Lazerianus, epis-
copus et confessor, ]iro fundatione et
erectione ecclesie cathedralis ibidem
anno domini 651 fuit procurator. Vide
record. Leit;leit." *
''■' Then follows : — " Witnesses lyving
1589 Karolus Rowac alias iMakcyigan
clerk, lJ)onagh RI'Gilpatrik, and (iillcr-
moy carpenters saw the tumbe with their
eyes, and Thady Dowling cancellar :
ecclesie found his epitaph in simple verse
as followeth : —
Hie jacet humalus dux fundator
I.eniic, id est Leghloiiw.
''"Thady Dowling states, also, that
other evidences regarding that villa «ii
("■urmund were extant, in his day, such
as the names of places, ejj. Gormondus
grove, Gormondus foord, et cetera.
''^ Dr. OT^onovan ma'^cs liim, how-
ever, the son of I'earacii ; but, Ihiri we
must su)>pnse to be in a remote dfscrut.
Sec " Anna's of the Four ^lasti'rs,"
vol. i., p. 5^9, n. (h.)
'•'•' He WLis son of Donnchadh, and he
ruled fourteen years, from .\.d. SiS to
A.D. S31, when he died after the vict'.^ry
of penance. See ibid., pp. 42S to 447.
'■^ He was a celebrated warrior, and in
our Annals he appears mostK' in t!io
character of a raiiler, not sparing ewii
the churcln-s and monasteries. lb' died
on the iSlh ol August, a.d. 845, being
styled an anchoret and a scribe. See
■iliid., pp. 472 473. Giraldus Cambrensu
makes him King of Ireland, in h:s
" Topographia Hibernica " Dist iu.,
cap. xliv., p. 188. See "Oiiera."
vol. v., edited l.iy James F. nimocic.
Our annalists, howe'ver, do not coaler
such distinction on him.
"1 St-e the " Story ot the Trisli belVire
the Conquest," L^y Lad^^ Ferguson, ciiap.
iii., p. Ill,
"- See Colgan's " Trias Thaumaturga."
Septima Vita S. Patricii, Pars, iii., cap.
xxvi., p. 155, and nn. 53, 54, p. 1 '^".
"^ A celebrated fort, now i;nown as liie
Navan, near tb.e city of Armagh.
ANXAI.S OF Till-; FIFTH, SIXTH AND S1:V1':NTH CKNTURll'-S. 3-3
332.74 The description of their crest seems characteristic of the
O'iMoore's warhke procUvitives.75 This account is introduced in the
funeral entry of John Mackncy, of CarnaL^h, Oueeu's County, lie
is said to liave Ix-en descendixi from " the (V^h
ol Leasv.'
Anotlier account lias it, that the arms of the (.)'Moores Lords of
J.eix', are : Vert, a lion rampant, or, in chiei three mullets of the
last. Crest : a dexter hand lying fesswa\'s, coui:)ed at the wrisi, holding
aswortl in ] ude, pierced through three gory heads all ppr. Tlieir Mn'.to w.as :
Conlan-a-l)ri.77 Certain it is, they were a powerful and warlike sept
for many centuries ; while their heroic achievements till many a j^age
of our military annals. In civilization, political inlhience, liravery and
talents, the Dynasts of Leise are said to have e(]ualled, if not sui-passed.
other native; eliieftains. Their former castU.'S and religicjus edifices lunv
lie in ruins, scattered over their broad domains. Yet, those relics evince
taste aiul muni licence, on the part of their founders, and worthy of their
great social pre-eminence. The actions of these chiefs might lill a historic
chronicle of ver\' considerable extent. /!>
Osrai^die or Ossory territory in former times embraced a considerable
portion of the Queen's County. Adjacent to Leix, the first I'.istorical
notice we find regarding the people of Osraighe is in the " Annals of the
Four Masters," a.d. 571, "o when united with the people of Eile,^o they
were both defeated by Fiacha, Son of Baedan,^i in a battle fought at
Tola, or Tully,^- a plain lying between Clonfert .Molua or Kyle ^3 and
Saigir.^4 In the year 5S2, Fearedhach, son to Duach, lord of Osraighe
or Ossory, was slain by his own people.^5 In the year Got ^'^ is recorded
the death of Colmaii, son to Fearadhach, chief of Osraighe. lie was
father of Scannlan, who was kept as a prisoner ^7 by Aedh, son of Ainmire,
''* Sue Joliu Cornelius O'Callaghan's
" History of the Irish Brii^adcs in the
service of France," Book ii., p. 62.
Glasgow, 1876, 8vo.
"^ We read : — " The crest is a man-
slaughtering of his enemies, and cutting
olf their heads, and his man liehind,
with a pollc full of their heads. This
man was Conall Cearnagh, my ancestor."
The document was signed, " Roger
iMoorc." The interpretation given of
that crest's eml)lazon by the celebrated
Colonel Roger Moore or O'RIoore, seems
to be incorrect. It probably dates back
only to the time, when Cinnedith, son
of Gnithin, Lord of Leix, a.d. 865,
obtained a great victory over tl\e Danes
at Clondalkm, when he cut off the heads
of one luindred of the best chiefs among
the foreigners. " Willi-uii, el !est son
of John JMackney, of Carnagh, was of
ISallynelingskeagh, Co. East JMeath.
Esq. " is recorded in the entry. Wills-
keagh is mentioned in the Meath
and other inquisitions. This surname
is a form of MacAodha buidhe, or
MacHughboy ; of which the clan name
was Clanaodha-buidhe, or Clandibuoy."
■''• Sec Carew MSS. 62?.
^^ See John O'Hart's " Irish Pedigrees;
or, tlie origin and stem of the Irish
Nation ; " wil. i., p. 323. h^jiirlli cditiMU.
'^See Charles O'Conor's " Diss^.'rta-
tions on the Ancient History of Ireland."
The Irish Race, p. 292. Third edition.
''^ See Dr. O'lDonovan's dlition, vol. i.,
pp. 206, 207. Th-- " Annals of Clon-
macnoise," edited b\' the Kev. Hems
.Murphy, S.J., have this event at .\.d. 500.
p. 80.
'^'^ .Mso k'liown as Ely O'Carroll
ancient terrilorv extending west
south from the Oueen's County.
"^1 In the Annals of Ulster under a.d.
'■,72 and a;-;:an at a.p. 573, it is saii
the
lud
to
have been louijht " in rc^iiuuhn^
Cntithiir." The victor was king of
Hlidia.
^- In the parish of Kinnitty, barony
of Ballybntt, King's Count',-.
8^' In the s(juthern part of the Queen's
County.
''* Now Seirlderan, in the barony of
Ballyljnlt, King's Cou.nty. See Dr.
O'Donovan's " .\nnals of the Four
jMasters," vol. i. nn. (i.. k, I.)
^^ See il'id., pp. 210, 211.
8" See ibid., pp. 230, 231, and n. (s.)
8^ See .'Vdamnan's " Vita S. Coluniba>."
Lib. 1., cap. XI.
2 A
354 HISTORY OF THE QUEEN'S COUNTY.
Monarch of Ireland ; but, who had been Hberated at the ]icriod of tlic
Convention at Druimccat, through the intervention of St. Cohuukillc.''-*
From Cinnfaela, the brother of Colman, the family of MacGillaphcdraig,
iinglice Fitzpatrick, are descended.^9 In 640 died Scannlan Mor, son to
Ceannfaeladh, Chief of Ossory.'^o This was not the Scannlan, Kuig
of Ossory, mentioned by Adamnan as a hostage in the hands of Aedh
mac Ainmirech, but liis cousin gcrman. Scanlan Mor was the son of
Rumann, whose r>rolhcr, Fearadliach, was grandfather of the other
Scannlan. Scanlan Mor, son of Ceannfaeladh is the reputed ancestor
of all the MacGillapatrick septs or the Fitzpatricks of Ossory. According
to the Chroriicum Scotorum and Annals of Clonmacnoisc, Fo\-lan ot
Faclan, King of Ossorie, was killed by the Leinstcrmcn, a.d. 05b. The
O'Clerys place this event at a.d. 058.';"
In treating about the ancient Tribes and Tribal Divisions of the
Queen's County, we have already seen that the O'Conors of Hv-Failge
or Offal}' derive their descent and the name of their territory from Ros-
Failge, the eldest son of Cathaer Mor, the powerful monarch of Leinster.
The first annalistic notice we have of that family occurs a.d. 6oo,y-
when a great battle was fought at Faithche-mic-Menenain,9> on the
brink of Loch Semhdidhe,94 where Conall Guithbhinn, son of Suibbnc,*^.!
slew Aedh Roin, chief of Ui-Failghe, together with Aedh Slaine, monarch
of Ireland,9'^ Aedh Buidhe, chief of Ui-lMaine, and many otliers. The
Annals of Ulster, cjuoting the Book of Cuanach as authority, have these
events at a.d. 602, while the Chronicum Scotorum 97 and the Annals
of Clonniacnoise place them at a.d. 604. In 64S, the battle of Cuil-
corra,9S by Aeldeith and Onchu took place, and in it CiUene, son to
Forannan, chief of Ui-Failge, was slain.99 At the year 674, the " Annals
of Clonniacnoise " simply state, that Twaymsnawa, King of Ossorie,
died.'"" His death and its cause are set forth by the O'Clerys at 67O,
where it is stated, that Tuaimsnamha, chief of Osraighe, was slain by
Faelan Seanchostol. "The Annals of Ulster" ])lacc this event at 677.
" The Annals of Clonmacnoise " under the year 08S relate, that a battle
was fought between the Leinstermen and those of Ossorie, wherein
F'oylchor O'Moyloyer was slain. The O'Clerys have the death of
Faelchar Ua Maelodhra at 6qo, ioi while this battle is noticed in the
" The Annals of Ulster " at ix)2.
"^"^ Afterwards he reigned over Ossory '^ Interpreted. " the Green of the
for thirty years and three months. Son of Menenan," and called Faet^l
^^ The chiefs of this clan in subsequent Macnaen ou the brink of Locha
years figure largely in local history. Seimditle, in the "Annals of Ulster."
"" See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the "' Now Lduj^h Sewdy. It seems pro-
Four Masters," vol. i., pp. 257, 258, and bable Faithche-nuc-iMenenain occupied
n. (h.) In the Annals of Clonmacnoise, the site of the jiresent village of Bally-
the death of Scanlan More Mac Kean- more-Loughsewdy, situated nearly niid-
foylc is entered under the year G42. way between yVthlone and Mullingar,
Sec edition cf Rev. Denis Murphy, p. in the Coimty Westmeath.
103. 96 Son of Colman Mor or Beg, son of
"'Sec the "Chronicum Scotorum." Diarmaid, son of Cearbhall.
edited by William M. Hennessy, pps. '■"' He reigned over Ireland, joint
94 to 97. Also Dr. O'Donovan's monarch with Colraau liimidh, for six
"Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i., years. This death of Aedh Slaine is
pp. 26S, 269 and n. (o.) referred to \)y Adamuan in his Vita S.
'•*- See Dr. O'Donovan's " .Annals of Columba% Lib. i., caji. xiv. See Colgan's
the Four Masters," v(j1. i., ])]). 22b to " Trias Thaumaturga," and n. 54, p.
22S, and nn. (f, g, h.) 376.
ANNALS OF THE EIGHTH AN II NINTH CENTURIES.
ODD
CHAPTER II.— Annals of the l'^ii;nTH ano Ninth Centuries.
The succeeding events connected with Queen's County history introduce
to our notice annalistic entries regarding the chiefs and people of Ossory/
as having a large portion of their territory 2 within the present boundaries
south and west. Thus the Ui-Duach territory — a sub-denomination
containing the present barony of Fassadineen in the county of Kilkenny,
and the jnesent parish of Durrow in the Ouern's County — was the
patrimony of the 0'Brenans3 in tlie ninth century. They descended
from Braenan, King of Ossory, who was slain by the Deisi, .\.d. S87.
The existing territory of Ossory had still an earlier record,4 since its
kings date l)ack to a time long prior to the introduction of Christianity.
Moreover, the Ui-Failghe 5 or peoj^le of Offaly come also for historic con-
sideration, in relation to our subject, durnig the eighth century and
subsequent periods. Yet, it is not to be assumed, that all the incidents
afterwards related respecting the aforesaid territorial divisions, took
place within the bounds of the present Queen's County. Wherefore to
commence, we find the death of Cucerca, King of Osraighe, is marked in
tlie " Chronicum Scotorum," at A.D 708. *J In the " Annals of Ulster,"?
his death is entered at a.d. 712.^ Again is noted, in 713^ the death of
Forbasach, descendant of Congal, King of the Ui Failge, who was slain
by the men of Midhe.9
At 731, there is an entry in the " Annals of Ulster," that Cellach,
son of Tuathal, king of the Ui-Crimtham, was slam.'" In a.d. 734,
'•''' See William M. lleimcssy's edition,
pp. 6S, G9.
'■'** Interpreted, the corner or angle of
the Weir or Dam, laow Coolarn, near
Galtrim, in the County of Meath.
•''•' See Dr. O' Donovan's " Anuals of
the Four Masters," vol. i., pp. 262 to
205, and n. (i.)
100 See the Rev. Denis Murphy's
edition p. 109.
10' See Dr. O' Donovan's " Annals of
the Four ^Lnst( rs," \'ol.i., pp, 294, 295,
mil n. (i.) ibui.
1 Bresal Breac is reputed to be the
common ancestor of the Ossorians and
Lagenians. From him descended
Aeiigus Osraighe, from whom the
territory and people of Ossory take
name. See John Hogan's " St. Ciaran,
Patron of Ossory : A Memoir of his
Life and Times," Part i., chap, i.,
pp. 3 to 9.
- The succession of their kings is
traced in the " Book of Leinster,"
edited by Robert Atkinson, M.A., LL.D.,
p. 40, col. S.
2 See an interesting paper by the Rev.
Nicholas Murphy on " The O'Brenans
md the Ancient Territory of Hy-Duach,"
in the " Transactions of the Ossory
Archaeological Society," vol. i., pp. 393
to 407. Kilkenny, 1S79, Svo.
* The fullest account of ancient
Ossorv, its kings, people, and their
history is thai conlauiecl in the " Loca
I'atriciana," by the Rev. John Francis
Shearman, — himself a native of Kil-
kenny city. See Part xii., pp. 322 to
394. This is followed by two f(jliling
Maps, containing the Eoghanacht
tienealogy, from which he ilerives the
[icdigree of the Ossorian Ivint^s. Besides
these there are two other fokling sheets
ot the Ossonau Genealogy at p. 2O4.
Dublin, ib79, Koy. 8vo.
^ In the ■■ B(jok of Leinster," edited
by Robert Atkinson, M.A., LL.D., the
descent of the Kings of Ui-Failghe is
given at p. 40, cul. 3.
" See William AI. Hennessy's edition,
pp. 116, 117.
■^ See the " AnnalA IIIa-u," edited
by William M. Hennessy, vol. i., pp.
162, 1O3.
^ The O'Clerys place his death at
A.D. 710 and again at a.d. 711. The
latter is said by Dr. O' Donovan to have
been the true year. See " Annals of
the Four IMasters," vol. i., pp. 310, 311,
and nn. (y.c.) ibid.
'-• See William M. Hennessy's edition
of the " .^\nnALA lll^-u," or " Annals of
Ulster," pp. 1O4, 165.
1'^ See ihuL, pp. 186, 187.
3d
s6
HISTORY OF THE QUEEN'S COUNTY,
Ailill, son of Tuathal, lord of Ui-Creamtliann,. died.ii Possibly the
district here alluded to was in Leix. This latter event is placed at
738, in the " Annals of Ulster." 12 At the year 734, the " Annals of
Clonmacnoise " i3 state, that 'octvveen the death of Hugh Allan and the
death of Hugh Ffinleich, monarchs of Ireland, there reigned in Ossory
seven kings, vi;r., Dungall, Ffoylan, ?iToyldeyn, Ffergall. Dunlecn,
Twahall, Dunlen, Karvell and Ffiaglma. " In 734, the " Annals of
Ulster " '4 also record a battle between the Munstcrnicn and Leinsternien,
in whicli many perished on both sides, and among these, Ccalkicli. son
to tlie King of Ossorj', was slain. In 735 15 or 737'*^ is announced the
death of Fforbosach IMcAileala, king of Ossory. At this same
time, tlic O'Clerys commemorate the devastation of Cinel-Fiachach
and of Dealhlma by the Osraige.'? In 740 the " Annals of Ulster " 18
record the killing of Ailill Corrach. son to Flann, king of the Ui-Failghe,
and better known to the studi'uts of Irish mamiscript history as Flann-
Dachongal king of the Ui-Failge for fourteen years. '9 The " Annals
of Ulster " -^> state, at a.d. 741, a devastation of the Cinel-Fiachach 21 and
Delbna,22 by, the people of Ossory. This has been alreadv placed by
tlie O'Clerys at A.D. 737.-3 At 752 is recorded the slaying of Cumasgach,
lord of Ui-Failge, by Maelduin, son to Aedh Beannain, king ot Munster.4
In 753 the devastation of the Fothartha-Fea,2S bv the Osraighe,-^^ ig
on record. In 750 or 754,27 the death of Flaithnia, son to" Flann Ua Congaile,
king of the Ui-Failghi, took place.28 The battle of Bealach Gab'hrain
was fought between the men of Leinster and Ossory, in which the son
of Cucerca had the victory, when Donngal, son to Laidhgnen, lord of
Ui-Ceinsealaigh, and other chieftains along with him, were slain, a.d. 756,
according to the O'Clerys, or a.d. 760, accordnig to the Ulster Annals. 29
At 762 is entered the battle of Ard-na-mlheac 3o in Ossory, fouglit
by Tuaimsnamha, son to Flann. 3 1 The next 3'ear we find recorded
through mistake, the death of this lord of Ossory ;"but it is found again at
11 Sec Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of
the Four IMasLt^rs," vol. i., pp. 336, 337.
1- See William M. Ilcnncssy's edition
of " AniiAlA UlATJ," ])p. 196, 197.
^3 Iidilion of Ivl-v. Denis I\lur])hy,
S.J., p. 115.
'' Sl'c William M. llcnnessy's edition
of "AniiAtA uIa-u," ]")p. 190, 191.
'■'■' Accordin.L; to Dr. O'lDonovan's
" Annals of the Four Rfaslers," vol. i.,
PP-..v6, 337.
"' See the " Annals of Clonmacnoise,"
edited by Rev. Denis IMurphv, S.]., p.
117.
i^Sco Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of
the Four Rlaslers," vol. 1., pji. 338, 339
L*^ See^William M. Tlenncssy's "A^nnAU^
tltATJ," pp. 200. 201, and n. i.
1" See tiie " Book of Deinstcr," edited
by, Robert Atkinson, M..\., LL.D., p. 40,
tol. 3.
-° See William M. llcnnessy's edition
of '' A^n1K^lA lIlATJ", pp. 200, 201.
-' The territory of the descendants of
Fiaeha, son to Niall of the Nine Hosta,L,'cs,
comprised some of the southern portion
of the King's County adjoining. fn
later times it was known as Mageogh-
egan's country.
-- ft adjoined the former territory,
and was known as Delbna-iithra, now
represented by the Barony of Garry-
caslle. Ring's County.
*^ See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of
tlie Four J\fasters," vol. i., pp. 338, 359.
2' See ibid., pp. 354 to 357.
"■' This was the tribe-name of a sept
inhabiting that district, and now re-
represented by the Barony of f-^orth,
in the County of Carlow.
"'^ See William M. ffennessy's edition
of the " AnnAlA UIa-q," pp. 218, 219,
and n. 2, ibid.
-' See at this year Dr. O'Donovan's
" Annals of the b'our rvfasters," vol. i.,
PP- 353, 353-
-^ See William M. Henncssy's edition
of the " <Atnu\lA lllA-u,"pp. 21S, 219.
-'■' See fJr. O'Donovan's " Annals of
the P'our Wasters," vol. i., and n. (a),
I^P- 3=;S, 3S9.
^0 This jilace has not been itlentilicd.
21 Sec ibid., pp. 366, 367, and a.
(d) ibid.
ANNALS OF THE EIGHTH AND NINTH CENTURIES. 357
A.D. 765,32 in the " Four ]\Tastcrs," while tlie "Annals of Ulster " have
it at A.D. 760.33 At 767 is noticed tlie death of Dunghal, lord of
Osraip;he.34 The " Annals of Ulster " record a destructive hght among
the people of Ossory themselves in 76S, where the sons of Cellach, son to
Faclchar, were put to flight. Toinisnamha 35 escaped victorious. 3"
But his triumph seems to have been of short duration, as he was slain
the following year. 37
Tn A.D. 776 {rede 7S1) Conga, son of Ceallach, lord of Ui-Creamhthann,
died ; 3S but we cannot state whether the district was in Leix or IMeath.
The O'Clerys at 777 39 record a battle fought at the Cuirreach, by the
side of Kildare on Tuesday, the sixth of the Calends of Septemtjer,-!'^
between Ruadhriach, son to Faelan, and Bran, son to Mureadhach,
wherein iNbighron, son to Flann, lord of Ui-Failge, and Dubhdachrich,
son to Laidhgnen, were slain in a combat. At 781 {rccte 7S6) Faelan,
son to Forbliasach, fell in a war, v/hich broke out among the Ossorians
themsclvcs.41 The " Annals of Ulster " place this event at a.d. 785.4-
In the year 70)8, the O'Clerys have the death of Oengus Ua Mugliroin,
lord of Ui-Failghe, who was slain through tlie treachery of his own
people.43 The " Annals of Ulster," however, refer his death to a.d.
802,44 but the true year is said to have been a.d. 803. In yqq, the death
of Fferall McAnmcha, king of Ossory, is recorded. 45 The date is trans-
ferred to a.d. S02, by Dr. 0'Donovan.4^> ,
In the beginning of the ninth century, the Danes and Norwegians, 47
who had already invaded the coasts of England 4^ and Ireland, began to
make formidable raids on the interior of our island, where they attacked
the inhabitants, slaughtering and plundering them, burning their t iwns
and chuiches ; thus causing general devastation and alarm, while hordes
of Scandinavians constantly arrived in their vcssi-ls to reinforce those
fierce adventurers. However, to resume the annalistic order of dates,
in the year 817 is recorded the death of Muireadhach, son of Crunnmhael,
Abbot of Disert-Ternog, in the " Annals of the Four ]Masters." 4^ The
situation of St. Ternog's v'^ Church was west of the Barrow ; 3i but we
32 See ibid, and n. ( r.), ibid. cousilio Reikis mi." " Annales Ultonien-
33 See /6/rf, pp. 368, 369, andn. (r), ibid. ses," a.d. dccch. Dr. O'Connor's "Reruin
3* See ibid., pp. 372, 373. ITibcrnicarum Scriptorcs," Tomiis iv.
35 Son of Flann, king of Ossory. ■'^ In the " Annals of Clonmacnoise,"
36 Sec William M. Henncssy's edition edited by Rev. DeiUM Murphy, S.J.,
of the " AntiAlA ULax)," pp. 234, 235. p. 12S.
37 See ibid., pp. 236, 237. *'' See his " .\nnals of the Four
38 See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals ot Masters," vol. i., pp. 404 to 407.
the Fonr Masters," vol. i., pp. 380, 381. ^'^ See an account of these people and
3^ See ibid., pp. 3S2, 3S3, and nn. of their piratical expeditions to Ireland
(o, p.) in L'Abbe Ma-Geoghegan's " Histoire de
*° These dula are said to indicate the I'lrlande, Ancienne et Moderne," Tonif
year 782, although the Ulster Annals i., partie ii., chap. v. vi., pp. 374 to 429.
have this entry at .\.d. 781. ^^ See Henrici .\rchicliaconi Ilunten-
*i Sec ibid., pp. 386 to 389, and n. dunensis' " Ilistoria Angloruni," edited
(o.), ibid. by Tliomas Arnold, M.A. Lib. v.
■•-See " Annales Ultonicnses," a.d. " De Bellis Dacoruni," p[i. 137 to 173.
DCCLXXXV. Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum London : 1879, 8vo.
J n'ocrnicarum Scriptores," Tomus iv. *'■' See Dr. O'Donovan's ctlitic^n, vol. i.,
^^ Sec Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of pp. 42S, 429.
the Four Masters," vol. i., pp. 406, 407, ^''* His feast occurs on the Sth of
and n. (z), ibid. February.
^* They also state " juf^ulntiis est ^i According to a gloss on the " Felire"
dolose a sociis Finsnechte filii Cellaich, of St. .-Engns.
358 IIISTOKV OF THE QUEEN'S COUNTY.
know not if it were within Leix.5- In 823, a victory was gained by tho
foreigners over Os.sory,33 and in S36, tlicy burned the churches of Kill-
Finnche 54 and of St. Lachtain.S.s During the year S39, Dinngall
Mc Ferall, prince of Ossory died, 56 or in 841,57 and he was nnmediately
succeeded by Ccarbhall or Carroll ^lacDunghall.sS His accession to
rule was coincident with the most galhng ])eriod of Northman domination
in Ireland. His sister Lann was the wife of Maelseachlainn or Malachy,
king of I\leath, who had to bear the ruthless oppression of Tuirgis,
Latinised Turgcsius. This fierce leader reduced the principality to a
state of servitude, which had become intolerable, and IMaelseachlainn is
said to have formed a plot to subvert his power. 59 This plan proved to be
successful, 'J" and resulted in the death of Turgcsius. ^i Soon after this
event, which gave a great check to the Danish invaders throughout
Ireland, we hnd, that Cearbhall Mac]')ungliall made a great slaughter
of the foreigners of Ath Cliath at Carn Ih-annnit, ('- where twelve hundred
of them were slain.^3 Moreover, in the year 842, the " Chronicum
Scotorum " chronicles the death of Dungal, son of Fcrgal, king of
C)sraige.<^4 And at a.d, 846, a defeat was given by Echthighern and
the Leinstermen to the Osraighe at Uachtar-Garadha,^5 said to have
been identical with Outrath, near Kilkenny. ^^
Gaothin Mordha, or Gaothin the Proud, is said to have been the
first chief of Leix or Laeighis, who took })ossession of the ^three territories
of Comainn. During his time, and afterwards, the peace of Ireland was
greatly disturbed, owing to the invasions and ravages of the Danes and
Norwegians. In the year 843,^7 the foreigners plundered Dun-Masg,
now Dunamase, where Aedh, son of Dubdhachrich, Abbot of Tir-da-
ghlass and of Ciuain-Eidhneach, was taken prisoner. They carried him
into I\Iunster, where he suffered martyrdom for the sake of God. During
the same plundering excursion, Ceithearnach, son of Cudinaisg, Prior
of Cill-dara, and many others, were killed. Notwithstanding the
celebrity of Gaoithin INlordha, yet his name does not figure greatly in
the Irisli Annals. In 854, Faclchadh, son of Forbhasach, lord of Ui-
^- The name of its territory is not Giollaiiliadraip:. The last was but a
given. See ibid., n. (r). patronymic assumed by the Clann
■"'^ See John ilosan's " Kilkenny : the Donchadh as a family title. See ibid.,
Ancient City of (3ssory, the Seat of its pp. loS, 109.
Kings, the See of its Bishops, and the '^^ See the account given by Giraldus
Site of its Cathedral," Part, ii., p. 107. Cambrensis in " Topo2;raphia Hiber-
^* Said to have been on the present nica," Dist. iii., cap. xl. p. 185. See
site of Sheepstown, near Knocktopher. " 0[iera Omnia" Giraldi Cambrensis,
^^ Achadh-ur, now Freshford. See edited by James F. Dimock, M.A.,
ibid., p. loS. vol. v.
6" See the " Annals of Clonmacnoise," '''^ 'Jhe romantic storv current has no
edited by the Rev. Denis Murphy, S.J., place in the old Irish Annals ; but at
p. 138. A.D. 844, the "Annates Uitonienses "
^■^ According to John Hogan. Sec state, tliat the tyrant fell into the hands
" Kilkenny," &c., Part ii., p. 108. of Maelseachlainn, and was by him
r,8 Fi-om him, the Ossorian dynasts drowned in Lough Uar — now Lough
became potentates, and three great Owel, near MuUingar.
septs or families furnished Icings to the ^ See Thomas Moore's " History of
principality of Ossory, for about three Ireland," vol. ii., chap, xvi., pp. 32, 33.
hundred years before the Anglo-Norman 02 Identified by John Hogan with
Invasion. These were known by the Bramblestown, the Irish equivalent for
denominations of the clann Cearbhall, which is Bally-Brammin, and near it
the clann Donchadh, and the Mac is Carn, in the County of Kilkenny.
AWALS OF Til]': KlGirril AND MNTII CliNTUKIKS. 359
l>aiiTchc-Mai;^lie,6^ is mentioned. In S50, the death of Cearnach, son
of Cinaeth, lord of Ui-Bairrche-tire, is recorded. ^9
It appears, that a royal meeting of the chiefs of Erinn had assembled
at Rath Aedha-niic-Bric, a.d. 859, to establish peace and concord
amongst themselves, and doubtless it was convened in view of the
persistent deveistations of the Scandinavians at that period. Besides
Maelseachlainn, king of Teamhair, Fethgna, Archbishop of Armagli. and
Suarlech, comarb of Finnen, attended ; and at that convention Macd-
guala, king of IMunster, and Cearbhall, king of Osraighc, tendered allegiance
to the monarch of Ireland. 7<j In the year 860, Maelseachlainn, after
lie had been sixteen years in the sovereignty, died on Tuesday, November
13th, and he was succeeded by Aedh Fmnliath as Ard-Righ. With him
Cearbhall, king of Ossory, was allied. 7 1 At the year 86a, also, our x\nnals
commemorate the destruction of Longphort Rothlaibh, by Cinnedidh,
son of Gaithin, lord of Leix, on the 5th of the Ides of Sc|)tember, corres-
ponding with the Qth of that month. The place meniioned his lieen
identified with Dnu-Rathlaigh. or the Fortress ol Rothlaibh, now
Dunrall}', situated close to the River Barrow, in the lownland of Court -
wood, parish of Lea, and barony of Portnahinch, Queen's County.
It lies close to the boundary at a stream separating Leix and the Clann-
Maelughra, or Clanmalier, in Ophaly. It foi-med the extreme north-
eastern angle of Leix territory. 7- We read, that in the. year S()4, ac-
cording to tlie " Annals of the Four J\Listers," 73 CinnedicKi, the son of
Gaithin, and the people of northern Ossory slaughtered the foreigners
at Mindroichet, now Monadrehid, near Borris-m-Ossory. In the year
865, this same son of Gaithin appears to have obtained a victory over
the foreigners of Ath-Cliath, now Dublin. in this l)attle, Odolbh ]\Iicle
was found among the slain. 74 About this time, also, assisted by the
son of Ciaran, or Maelciarain, son of Ronan, he burned Dun-Amlilaebh,
8' This event is referred to a.d. 845. ''^ See John Hogan's " Kilkenny,"
See " Kilkenny," &c., Part, ii., pp. no, &c., Part, ii., p. 118.
III. ''- Here it woiilil seem from the ac-
"* See William M. Henncssy's edition, count contained in Dr. O' Donovan's
pp. 144, 145. "Annals of the iMmr Masters," vol. i.,
^^ See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of pp. 490, 497, Conall Ultach, and Luirg-
the Four Masters," vol. i., pp. 47O, 477, nen, with many others, were killed. But,
and n. (f), ibid. in reference to this historic incident, Dr.
>*" See John Ilogan's " Kilkenny," O'Donovan is undoubtedly in error, by
tS:c., Part, ii., p. in. makingtheGaithinmentioned that onere-
"^^ The " Annals of the Four Masters," ferred toni an uUerpolated passage in the
have these incidents so dated. In "Tripartite Lifeof St. Patrick," asiiaving
" Chronicum Scotorum," edited by rebudtthefort of Rath-Bacainduring the
Wdham M. Hennessy, they are at a.d. Irish .\postle's lifetime. See Miss M. F.
S45. See pp. 144, 145. Cusack's " Life of St. Patrick, Apostle
•^^ See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of of Ireland." Tripartite Life, part iii.,
the Four Masters," vol. i., pp. 488, 489. p. 465. Again, although this was near
But the editor remarks this latter the church founded by St. Patrick at
denomination should be " Ui-B:urrche," Domhnachmor, it does not aj^pear to
and " Ui-Maighe," representing Bally- have been in the plain of MaLjh-Reda,
adams and Slievcmarigue baronies. now the manor of i\Iorelt, hut rather in a
Perhaps, however, the latter compound dilferent plain, viz., that of Magh Riada.
may have l)een a mistake of entry tor the See Dr. 0'Donov;ui, nn. (x, y), p. 49O.
word " Mairge." Gaithin seems to have been the im-
"" See ibid., pp. 488, 489. mediate progenitor of Cinnedidh.
"" See William M. Hennessy's "Clironi- "^ Se^: Dr. O'Donovan's " .Vnnals of
cum Scotorum," pp. 156, 157. the iMuir Masters," vol. i.. pp. 50J, 503.
3^0 HISTORY OF THE OUEEN's COUNTY.
or Aiilaff's Fort, at Clonclalkin, near Dublin. One hnndrcJ heads of tlie
foreigners 75 were exiiibited by tlie chieftains after that slan-hter at
Ckiain-Dolcain. This son of Gaitliin probably engaged in some of those
warlike operations against the Leinstermen to the south of Leix, which
are recorded at the year 868. At this date, the Leinstermen attacked
the fort of Ccarbh:dl,7*' and of the son of Gaithin, while many were
slain by them. But when the people of the fort 77 perceived this, they
fought bravely against the Lemstermen, and compelled them, with
their chief Bran, son of Muireadhach, to retire, after numbers of then-
people had been slain. /S Yet, this was net the sole revenge taken ;
for m the year S75, Cinneidh, son of Gaeitlicn, lord of Laeighis, plundered
Ui-Ccinnsealaigh, and numbers of its people were slain bv him. 79 In
866, Conn, son of Cinacdh, lord of Ui-Bairrchi-tire, was slain while de-
molishing the fortress of the foreigners.So In S67, Cian, son of Cumasgach,
lord of Ui-]5airrchi-tire, dicd.Si Again in S84, Treasach, son of Beacan,
chief of Ui-Bairrche-Maiglie, was slam by Aedh, son of Ilguine. Of him
Lann,S2 son of Lonan, said : —
" A heavy mist on tlie pro\ ince of Breasal, since they slew at the fortahced Liphe,
Heavy tlic L;r()ans ot Assal, f(3r grief at the loss of Treasach.
Wearied my miinl, mtiist mv countenance, since Treasach lies in death,
The moan of Oenach-Lili all, and of Leinster to the sea is the son of Becan." s'
In the year 869, the Lochlann or Danish kings marchi^d with a great
host through IMunster, wh.ich they ravaged. However, Cennedigh — the
hercest and most victorious man against the foreigners in Frin at this
time — came upon them with the I.acghis and a party of the Osraighi.
He attacked their camp, and slaughtered their best men in the middle of
it. A feat of personal valour is recorded of Cennedigh. Seeing one of his
men attacked by two Lochlanns, the chief rushed immediately to relieve
him, and cut off the lieads of his adversaries.^4 During the snow of
Brigidmas, a.d. 870, the lords of tlie foreigners plundered the men of
the Three Plains ^5 and of the Comauns,^'^ as far as Sliabh Bladhma.^7
Such ir.roads did not preveut internecine quarrels among the Irish
themselves ; for in S73, we read of an incursioji and a plundering of
Connacht, by Dunchadh, king of Cashel,^^ and by Cearbliall, with the
"■* See ibid., pp. 504, 505. ^lac Firbisi^h," edited with a Trans-
■^2 In the "Annals ot Ulster" these iaiiun and Is^iies by Dr. JohnO'Donovan,
are called the best of the lorciyncrs, or pp. 164 to 167.
Ihe chiefs. See ibid., pp. 502, 503, and ^^ 'fh^ Three Plains were l\Ia;.^h-Airbh,
nn. (x, y). Magh-Sedna, and Ma-^h-Tuatliat. Tlase
"•^ Proliably son of Dunghal, and T/ere in the Baronies ol Crannagh anddal-
lord of Ossoiy. moy, in the County of Kilkenny, and in the
^" Which ol the two forts previously Barony of Up])cr Ossory, in the Ouei-n's
distinguished does not appear from this County. IMagli Tuathat was at the
obscure statement in our annals. verge of Sliabh Bladhma or Slievc Bloom.
"* See ibid., pp. 512 to qK. ^'^ Also designated in Irish T1<\ Cui
■'^ See ibid., pp. 52J, 52-;. ConuMim, i.e., the Three Comanns.
^'^ Sec ibid., pp. 510, 511. Accortling to Dr. O'Donovan, these
81 See ibid. were three septs, seated in the north of
8- The death of this poet is twice the jiresent County of Iviikenny.
noticed in the Four Masters; first, at ''^ See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of
A.D. .S91, and again, at .\.^^>. 91S. the Four INIasters," vol. i., pp. 516, 517,
S" See ibid.. ]ip. 524, 525. and nn. (k, 1).
^* See " I'hree Fragments, copied ~^' This also meant tluit he was Iving
from ancient sources li\' Dubhallach 01 Muiister.
ANNALS OF TIIH: EIGHTH AND NINTH CENTURIES. 361
Osrai'glie.'*^'^ At SS5, is mentioned the mortal wounding of Maelchertaigb,
son of Fiachra, lord of Ui-Bairrche. At 886, Gormacan, son of Flann,
chief of Ui-Bairrche-tire, died.9o In S96, Dubhlachtna, son of Ceirine,
lord of Ui-Bairrche, dicd.91 Cinaedh, son of Maelruanaidh, and Aedh,
son of Ilguine, chief of Ui-Bairrche, were both slain by Candubhan, son
ol Maelecan.92 We are informed, that Cinncdeach had a son named
Cearnach, who was father to Maohnordha. This latter was progenitor
of the O'Maoilmordha.93 Maohnordha had a son named Cennetli. In
the year 886, Cinaedh, son of Cennedidh, and the heir-apparent of
Laeigliis, was slain. Two Irish lines are quoted in his j)raise, and they
are thus translated into English by Dr. O'Donovan : —
" Alas ! for the comely (Icsceinlant of CaMial, dciJiivL'tl of joy are the race of
Bcarach,
Son of tlie hinc; of lasting; Kath-Bacain, the hero of the pass of Gablinian." '■'*
This prince was probably the eldest son of Cinncdidh, biut how he was
killed, we do not find recorded. 9.i This Cenneth had a son named Cear-
nach. Again, it is stated, Cinaeth was the son of that Cearnach.
In the year 8SS, Cearbhall, son of Dunlaing or Dunghall,9'J king of
Osraighe, died suddenly, according to the " Chronicum Scotorum." 97
In A.D. S97, Dunghal, the son of Cearbhall, was mortally wounded by
the people of Laeghis.99 In the " Annals of Clonmacnoise," at 897,'"'-'
is the record, that Lann, mother of the king of Ossory, alid I\ennydy
McGoyhinn, lord of the country of Lease, then lived, and that tlie same
Kennydy l)roke down Uoim Awley, now known as Clondalkin, near
Dublin, killing man\' of Awley's men, and chasing himself into the city of
Dublin. Awley was then the Chief Dane in Ireland, and his residence
was in Clondalkin. In 89S, the death of Cinneidigh, son of Gaeithin,
Lord of Leix or Laighis and of the Comauns, is recorded. I'^i Cenneth
was father to Faolan. The latter had a son named Amergin, who is
considered to be the ancestor of Bergin. I"- In the year 890, Finbuidhi.
son to Cuileannan, lord of Ui-F(iirchellain, was mortally wounded. '"i
8^ Sec William M. Ilennessy's "Chroni- ancient list of tlic Kinc^s of Osraiqhe,
Cum Scotorum," pp. 104, 105. as found m the " JJook of Luinsttr,"
'•"■ See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of at fol. 20, d sl(j.
the Four jNIasters," vol. i.. pp. 338, 53'). ^^ See William ^l. Hennessy's edition,
''1 See i'.iul, pp. 554, 555. pp. 170, 171.
•'-See ibid, pp. 500, 301. '■'s He renewed the fair of Ma'-;h
"^ He was a progenitor of the O'jMoores l^aighne in d^sorv, a.d. S59. See
and the son of Bearach, from whom the Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the Four
O'.Moores were called the Sil-Bearaigh. JNIasters," vol. i., pp. 494, 495, and n. (t).
■■' Dr. O'Donovan states, that this was ■''■* See ibid., pp. 55O, >^/.
otherwise called Bealach-Galjhruain, an I'^o See the edition ol I\ev. Denis
old road extendinc; across Sliabh Mairj^e, Jliirphy, S.J., p. 144.
in the Queen's County. See " Leabhar i"i See Dr. O'lXjnovan's " Annals of
na-gCeart," or Book of Rights. Intro- the Four Masters," \-ol. i., pp. 55.S, c;e>.
durtion, p. Ix. "'-See John O'llart's "Irisli Pedi-
■'•J See Dr. O'Donovan, i!)id., pp. 53S, grees ; or, the Origin and Stem of the
539, and n. (h). Irish Nation," vol. i., part ni. ir.
■"' So he is called in the " Amials Genealogies, p. 324. Fourth edition,
of Ulster," and the title is adopted ni the '"'' See Dr. O'Donovan's " Ann ds
" Annals of the Four iNlasters." This of the Four Masters," vol. i., pp. 560,
name likewise agrees with tliat in the :;6i, and n. fn\ Hid.
5O2 HISTORY OF THE QUEEX's COUNTY.
CHAPTER III. — Annai.s of the Tenth Centi'ry.
The accounts contained in the Irish AimaJs during this century reveal
a series of disorders and crimes, having their origin m a state of social
disunion and the clan system of semi-indepcndence, which gave free
scope to the ambition and passions of rival chiefs and factions. The
Northmen invasions had their share in producing this demoralization,
as the invaders formed settlements in the country, and had some-
times been the allies of the native chieftains in their acts of inroad,
spoliation and ambition. Thus \vu read, at the year 901,1 Cerv'cll mc
Moregan, king of Leinster, and Cahall mc Connor, were deceitfully killed ; 2
and again at go2, the " Annals of Clonmacnoise " 3 slate, that Wallaghan
or Holahan mc Cahall, prince of AlTalie (Ophaly), was kilkd.i The
cause for these murders, however, is not more specifically assigned. In
the cclel:)rated battle fought at Ballaghmoon,5 a.d. 903,'' in which the
Momonians, under the leadership of King Cormac Mac Cuilenaan of
Cashel, were utterly routed by a combination c>[ the Meathmen,7 Conna-
cians,s and Lagenians,9 CeaUach, of " the hard fights," i" sonof Cearbhall,
King of Osraighe, fell, with many others. This event is placed at 907,
in the " Chronicum Scotorum " ; ^ and it is slated, that six thousand
of the Munster forces fell in this sanguinary encounter. i- According to
the Abbe Ma-Geoghegan, this battle was fought on {he 6th of August,
A.D. 913.^3 In the year 906, Gaithine, son of Aughran, Tanist of Leix,
died. 14 Also in the same year, Buadhach, son of Gusan, Tanist of
Ui-Bairrche-tire, died. This very same year also Aedh, son of Dubh-
ghilla, lord of Ui-Drona of the Three Plains, Tanist of Ui-Ceinnsealaigh,
was slain by the Ui-Bairrche.i5 During the year 908,1*^ Ughran, son of
Cennedigh, was King of Leix.^/ He fought with the conquering Leinster
1 This event is placed at a.d. 904, in 10 Thns styled by an ancient Irish
the " Annals of the Four Masters," vol. poet. He is called Ceallaqh mc Keavill,
ii., pp. 572, 573. See Dr. O'Donovan's prince of Ossory in the " Annals of
edition. Clonmacnoise." where the battle at Beal-
- Afterwards is obscnrely added: !a.t;lini(jwna is set down at a.d. qoo. See
" It is thought that he was so killed by edition of Ile.v. l^enis jMuriiliy, S.J.,
Murtagh O'Neale Anno Dni. 909 by p. 144.
Danes." — "Annals of Clonmacnoise," " Si-e William M. Hcnnessy's "Chroni-
cdited by Rev. Denis Murphy, S.J., cum Scotorun'.," pp. iSo to 183.
p. 144- '" From a historical tract intituled,
3 See ibid. Cath - Bealaigh - Mu.qhna, Dr. Geoffry
* By the O'Clerys this death of Iveating gives an account of this battle
Ullachan is set down at a.d. 905. m his ""Ceneral History of Ireland."
"-• Situated near the eastern brnik of i^ t^^.^, •■ Histoire de I'lrlande," Tome
the River Barrow in the County of i., partie ii., chap, v., p. 398.
Kildare, and about four nnles north of ** See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of
Carlow town. the Four Masters," vol. ii., pp. 576, c.yj.
^ See a detailed account of it, in Dr. i^ c;(^q j7j;'(/._ pp. qy,). to 577.
O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four i"^ See Dr. John O'Donovan's " Three
Masters," vol. ii., and nn. (b, c, d, e, f. Fragments, copied from ancient sources
g, h, i) pp. 56410571. by Dubhaltach Mac Firbisigh," with
'Under king Maelseachlainn, also translation and notes, pp. 212, 213.
recognised as Monarch of Ireland. Dublin i860, 4to, I.A.S.
^ Under Cathal, son to Conchobhar, i'^ He is stvled Ugrau, of Mairge, the
king of Connaught. great-deeded,' by Dalian, son of Mor,
•' Under Cearbhall, son to Muirigin, and poet to Ceairbhall, King of Leinster.
king of Leinster. See ibid., j-.p. 216 to 219, ami nn. (h, v).
ANNALS OF Till-: TENTH CENTL'KY. 3G3
host, against Cormac, King and Bisliopof Cashel, at the battle of Bealach
Mughna, now Ballaghmoon, in the southern part of the County Kildare.
When Niall III., surnamed Glundubh, began his rule over Ireland,
A.D. 915, the Northman incursions proved exceedingly disastrous to the
people of this island. ^s That monarch, in the very commencement oi
his reign, led his northern forces, with the men of Bregh ^9 and Midhe,-'^
into Munster, where, united with the people of that province, the
foreigners were defeated. This occurred, after an oljstinate conllict, in
Magh-Feimhin, on the 22nd of August. However, on this occasion,
he lost a great number of his people, together with the King of Teabhtha
and the King of Carraic-Braichaidhe. Meantime, the Irish of Leinster,
at his request, pressed the siege of Ceann-fuait,-i in the east of the
province, and near to where Si trie, grandson of Imhar, with his fleet,
lay.-2 But this leader and his forces attacked the Lemstermen at Ceann-
fuait, and signally defeated them, with the loss of many among the
most celebrated of their chiefs. Niall III. was amongst the slain on this
Wednesday, 16 kalends of October, a.d. 917. -3 Six hundred Leinster-
men fell in that battle ; and distinguished among then- host was Mughron,
son of Cinneidhigh, lord of the three Comauns and of Laighis, as also
the Archbishop Maelmaedhog, son of Diarmaid, who was one of the
Ui-Conannla, Abbot of Gleann-Uisean, a distinguished scribe, anchorite,
and an adept in the Latin learning and in the Scotic language.-4 In
918, Teig mc Faylam, King of the west of Leinsterj-SHlied ; and that
same year, Kenny mc Connor, King of Affalie, was lost in the wilderness
of Athlone,-^ with many of Donnogh's army that went to Connanglit.^:
This Donnchadh was then recognised as King of Ireland.-^ In 920,
Maelmordha, son to Riagan, Tanist of Ossory, died.-9 At 922, the "Annals
of Clonmacnoise " 3o announce the death of Colen Mc Ceally, prince of
Ossory. However, the true year is said to be 927.31 Again, Dermott
Mac Kervall, king of Ossory, died a.d. 924.32 The O'Clerys place this
event at a.d. 927,33 and in 92S is recorded the tieath of Diarmaid, son
^s For an accouiit of their invasions However, the O'Clerys, who liave his
the reader may consult that work death at g-o, call hiin lord of South
published by the Irish Arclueoloyical Leinstcr, Dcasqabhair, or Ui-Ccinn-
Society " cojAX) gAe-ott Tie gAllAib. " sealach. See Dr. O'Donovaa's " Auiuds
" The War of the Gacilhil with the of the Four Masters," vol. li., pp. 6o(.i,
Gain," edited by Rev. James Henthoni 607.
Totld. -« Also c.dled Duibhtliir-Atha-Luaiii
''-•That territory, at present known or the Black District of Atlilone.
as the County of I-outh, and the northern 27 5^,^ t^ji^. " ,\nnals of Cluumacnoise."
part of Dublin County. edited by Kev. Denis Murphy, S.J.,
-'" JSIeath. See William M. Henncssy's p. 747.
" Chronicum Scotorum," pp. 188, 189. -^ fie rei,L;ned from a.d. 919 to 944,
-1 Dr. O'Donovan says this was Confcy twenty-five years. See Roderick
near Leixlip, in the County of Kildare. OT'daherty's " Oyygia," pars, iii., cap.
It lay on tlie borders of Leinster. xcui., pp. 424, 42;.
-- This was in Dublin Bay. -■' See Dr. OT)onovan's " Annals of
-■'■ See Gratianus l^ucius, " Cambrensis thu Four blasters," vol. ii., pp. 608 to
Eversus," vol. ii., cap. i.x., p. 31. Rev. 611.
Dr. Matthew Kelly's edition. ^" See edition of Rev. IV^un ;\Iurpl;y,
-^ See Dr. O'IDonovan's " Annals S.J., p. 148.
of the Four Masters," vol. ii., pp. 588 ^^ See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of
to 591. the Four Masters," vol. ii., p. 618, n. (y).
-'■ This account, contamed in the '■^- According to the " Annals of
" Annals of Clonmacnoise," seems to Clonmacnnise," edited by Rev. Denis
have been another name for Ophaly. Muruhy, S.J., p. 149.
364
inSlORY OF THE QUEKX S COUNTY
to Cerbliall, king of Osraiglie, in the" C hroracuni Scotorum." 34 In
the year 926, Cinacdh, sou of Oghran, lord of Loix, was killed. 35 In
QcS IS also recorded 36 the slaying of Finn, 37 son to I\Iaelmordha, heir-
apparent of Ui-Failghe, and Flann, his brother.
At 931, the death of Cathal, son of Odhran — most probably Oghran
also- -lord of Laeighis, is recorded. 3S Moreover, Cuilen.39 son of Ceallach,4o
king of Osraighe, died the same 3'«jar.4i 'pij^ " Chroniciim vScotorum "
has this death of Cnilen at a.d. 932,42 ^^^d it calls Cuilen the son of
Oghran. Tlic " Annals of Clonmacnoise " have his death at a.d. 923.
Tlicsc also relate at 932, that Conor Mc ?kIoylekeyne, King of Affalie,
and his two sons were killed by Lorcan ^Ic Fo3'lan.43 The following year
is recorded the death of Maelmnire, son to Ceanndubhan, Tanist of Leix.44
In tlic year 933, the celebrated Ceallaghan,45 King of Cashell, and a rival
for supremacy with i\iuircheartach,4'' son of Niall Glandnbh, made a great
slanghl(>r of llic ])eople of Ossorie, according to tlie " Annals of Clonmac-
noise." 17 This event is referred to the following year by the O'Clerys.4^
Again, in Q34, ]\Iortough mc Neale with the forces of the north spoiled
Ossory, and the same year the people of Ophaly and the Kynaleagh 4'*
killed 1,200 Danes. 50 In 937, Flann, son to Ceallach, Tanist of Ossory,
died. Also, Cian, son of Aenghns, was slain by the Ui-Failge, and
Murchadh,5i son to Finn, was mortally wounded by Tuathal. This year,
hkcwise, Ccallachan, King of Cashel, with the men of ^Munster, jNIacca-
Cuinn and the foreigners of Port-Lairge 52 made an incursion into IMeath,
and took a great prey. During this foray, tlu.^y plundered and spoiled
the monasteries of Killeagh and Clonenagh, and made prisoners of then-
two abbots, ^luireadhach Ua Conchobhair and Coibhdeanach, son to
Breagdha ; l)ut they left behind as a hostage Oilill, son to Aenghns,
lord of Ui-Fotliaid.53 and many others in the hands of Aimhergin, lord
of Ui-Failghe. 54 In 93S, a great slaughter of the Osraiglh was made
^" See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of
llie Four jMnsters," vol. ii., pp. 622, 623.
^' Sec William M. Hennessy's edition,
pp. 1 98, 199.
■'•■' See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the
I'our Masters," vol. ii., pp. 620, 621.
"'"' See ibid., 624, 625, and n. (k).
^" He Avas the ancestor of O'Conor
Faly. l^rian O'Conor Faly, who lost
Ollaly by his attainder in the reign of
Philip and Mary, Avas the twentieth in
descent from him.
■'^ See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of
th'- Fonr Masters," vol. ii., pp. 626, 627.
■'■'lie is styleil " optimus laicus," in
;hc " Annals of Ulster."
"'^ See " Annales Ultonienses," Dr.
O'Conor's " Rerum Hibernicarum Scrip-
tores," Tomus iv.
■'1 See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of
the Four Masters," vol. ii., pp. 626, 627.
This too a.^rees with the ancient list
of the Kings of Ossory in the " Book
of l^einsler."
■'- See William M. Hennessy's edition,
pp. 200, 201 , and n. 3.
^3 See the 1 d.ition of Rev. Denis
Murphy, S.J., ]>. 151.
■•'Se'.' Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of
the Four Masters." vol. ii., pp. 630, 631.
'^ H(> is regarded as the ancestor of
the O'Callaghans, Mac Carthys and
O' Keetfes.
"'" See Thomas D'Arcy McGee's
" Popular History of Ireland," vol. i.,
T3ook ii., chap, iv., pp. 79 to S3.
^'' See Rev. Denis Alurphy's edition,
p. 151.
*s See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of
the Four Masters," vol. ii., pp. 030, 631.
^'■^ Doubtless resolvable into Ciml
Lea — a sub-denomination of Ophaly.
"•'^ See tlie " Annals of Clonmacnoise,"
edited by Rev. Denis Murpliv, S.J.,
p. 152.
'' 'I his Murchadh was l:rotlier to
Conchobh.ar. ancestor to the O'Conors
of Olfaly.
■^^ The Irish name for Waterford.
=^'' Now the I'.artiny of Ilia and Offa
West, in the CnuiUy of Tip|)erary.
■'■■' See Dr. O' DoiKivan's "Annals of
the l'"our l\h:sters," vol. ii. pp. O3S, 639,
and nn. (n. w, x), ;///(/.
■'•■ See il)id., PI). 640, t'K\i.
-''' See ibid., i)p. 640 to 643.
ANNALS OF Tllli TENTH C1':N'1UI;Y.
365
by Ceallachan, King ot Cashel.55 In 930, ■\Iuircheartach, sou of Xiall,
with the men of the North and Bregia, went into llie territories of the
Osraighi and the Deisi, totally plundering and ravaging the country as
far as Leas-Ruadracli. The inhabitants subnnlleil to hiui. In this
year also the Osraighi and the Deisi gamed a battle over the King of
Cashel, and in it many were slain. 5^ Moreover, a slaughter was made
ol the foreigners by Aimhergin of the Ui-Failghe and by the Cinel-
Fiachach, who slew twelve hundred of them at iMagh-Cisi.57 The same
Aimhergin gained another battle over the foreigners of Ath-cliath, where
a thousand of them fell, with Aedh Albanach, and many other chief tains. 5^
In 041 died Awargin Mc. Kynaye, King of AITalie.59
In 015, Cuileannan, son to Coibhdhenach, lord of Ui-liairche, died."^"
From A.D. 044 is dated tln' first year of Comglialaeh, sua of Maelmithigh
in the sovereignty of Irehmd.''^ In the year 945, according to the
O'Clerys,^- a battle was gained by the renowned Donnch.adh L./^i son
to Ceallach,'^4 king of Osraighe, over tlu; Lagcnians, in which were slain
Hraen, son to Maelmordha, King of Laighen, Ceallach, son to Cmaedh,
King of Ui-Cennsealaigh, with many others. "^5 The " Chronicum
Scotorum " has these events at 946.'"-" In 946,^7 IMiurcheartach, son
ot Niall, with the men of Fochla and of Bregh, invaded Ossory. A victory
was gained over the Ui-Failghe at Birra in 949.'^'=' There man}- were
slam, with Cinaeth Cruach.
W'e read that in the year 050, ^^9 a victory had been ga'^ned over the
})eo{)le of Laighis and the Ui-Faircheallain, by Tuathal, S(.)n of Ugaire,
m which many were slain, and Cuilen, son of (iusan, was taken prisoner.
This Tuathail was the King of Leinster, and he was ])rogenitor of the
O'Tooles. He died m 956./° At the year Q53, it is noticed, that Donnell
Mc Moylemoray, King of Affalie, died./i At the year ()56 7- is recorded
a \'ictory obtained by the Ui-Failghe and the Clanii CeallaiL^li 73 over
the Ui-Dunchadha 7-1 at Fidh-Chudm,75 uow Feirl
giicullL'U, a small parish,
•'''' The ancient name of a pl.iin near
Ralian in the Kind's County.
'^^ See ibid., pp. O44, 64^, and n. (o).
^3 See " Annals of Cloninacnoi^c "
ciliteil by Kev. Denis IMurphy, S.J.,
p. 154-
•^^ See Dr. O'l^onovan's " Annals of
the Four IMaster-," vol. ii., pp. 054,
'■' II:; reipned for twelve years, and
was killed in war with the Danes,
A.D. 950. See Roderick O'Flaherty's
" 0,i;v;-;ia," pars, iii., ca}!. xciii., p. 435.
^^ See Dr. O' Donovan's " Annals of
the Four Masters," vol. ii., pp. O56,
657.
'■3 He was head of the Clann Donn-
clunUi or O'Dunphys of Ossory, and
over this principality he had a prosperous
rule of forty-seven years. Sec John
Hogan's "Kilkenny," &c., pp. 132 to
142.
"* He was slain in the lialtle at
Balla^^hmoon.
'■'' According to an Irish poem, four
hundred is mentioned as the number.
and the battle is stated to ha\'e occurred
at AUi-Cliath.
«o Etlition of William M. lleiuu-ssy,
pp. J06, 207.
''^ See William M. Ifennessv's "Chroni-
cum Scotorum," pp. 202, J03.
S"^ See Dr. O'Donovan's " AnnLils ot
the Four I\Iasters." vol. ii., pp. 664 to
667.
'^^' See ibid., pp. 666 to 6c ^9.
■^0 Ibid., pp. 676, (.77.
''^ According te> the " Annals of
rionmacnoise," e<liti'il by Rev. Denis
IMnrjihy, S.J., p. 157.
"- See Dr. O'Donovan's " .Vnnals of
tlie Four jMastcrs," vol. ii., pp. O7O. 677
aivl nn. (q. r, s).
'3 Otherwise the Ui Ceallaigh Cualann,
seated in the northern part of the present
county of Wicklow.
■"' This tribe was settled in that district
of the present county of Dublin, through
wliich the Dodder flows.
"•'' The 0'(Terys continue the account,
namely, o\'er ] )omlinall, son of Lorcan,
and i)on;hnall, son of Maelmordha,
306
HISTORY OF THE QUEl-X S COUNTY
situated near the Hill of Allen, Co\inty of KiUlare. x\lso durinq thi
year, Clonvickciiois was preyed by the people of Ossory.
Ui 037 ^■^'''''■l
Domhnall, son to jMaelmordha, lord of Ui-Failghe.77 The departure
of Fearghal, son of Augh.ran, and Lord of Laoighis-Reta?, is ehroniek'<i,
at A.D. 95S. This Laoighis-Reto; is said to have been the most dis-
tinguished of the seven septs of Leix./S During a.d. 958, Faelan, son of
Fearghal, Tanist of Laeighis-Reta, was slain.
In 960, Eoghan, son to Muireadhach, was slain by tlie Ui-Failghe."^
Also, Clonmacnoise was plundered by the Osraigh.'^'^ in q']^,'" the
latter gained a victory over Amleibh, son of Sitric, at Tnis Teoc,'*^- where
many of the foreigners were slain, together with Batharr, son of Niia.
In 965,'''3 Maelruanaidhe, son of Flann, Tanist of Ossory, and who aided
Mathghamhain, son of Ceinneidigh, m his victory over the Danes at
Limerick, was slain in the heat of conflict. Meantime, Murchadh, son to
Finn, King of Leinster, led an army into Ossory, where he remained four
nights, and plundered I\Iagh Raighne ; but :vlalli,'^hamliain and the men
of Munster, with the Deisi and Osraighi, o\'crtookhini from Atli-Duanna'^4
to Commur,''^5 nevertheless h.e escaped in safety without leaving horse or
man behind. ^^ In the year 967, Echthighern, son of Eitech, lord of the
Comauns, dicd.s? He was most probably a sub-chieftam under the
O'Moores of Leix. Iii 969 Domh.nall Ua Neill, with the forces of Tyrone
and Tirconnel, marched against the Meathians and foreigners, wlien he
plundered all their forts, and left a camp in every Cantred of Meath from
the Shannon to Castlekieran,'"^^ near Kells. On this occasion he alsc
spoiled Ui-i'^ailghe.^? In the year 972,90 ^^ victory was gained by the
people of (Jsraighe over the Ui-Cennsealaigh, in which their King
Donnchadh, son to Ceallach, with some chiefs and a great many others,
were slam. Immediately afterwards follows the account, that a slaugliter
was made of the Osraighe in Tartliar-Li);]:ii/'i in which wei;e slain two
by the Ui-Faclain ; namely, by ^Iiircliatl,
son of Finn ; in which were slain
Cearnach, son of I.orcan. chief ot
Clann-Ccallaiyh, and Naeideanan Ua
Domhnaill, v.ith many others of the
nobility.
'"' Sec the " Annals of Clonmacnoise,"
edited by Rev. Denis Murphy, S.J.,
p. 157.
^■^ See Dr. O'Donovan's " Aniuds of
the Four Masters," vol. ii., pp. 676, 677.
''^ See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of
the Four Masters," vol. ii., pp. 678, 679.
Dr. O'Donovan says it contains the
fort of Rath-Becain and the rock of
Deac-Reda. Ibid., n. (a). This, however,
is not so certain.
"" See ibid., pp. 680, 681.
^° The monastery of Clonmacnoise,
founded about the middle ot the sixth
century b}' St. Ciaran, was for a long
time the most celebrated religious
community in Ireland. A chief seat
of learning, it was singularly rich ni
objects of art. For a history aiul
illustrations, the reader is referred
to that admirable work, " Christian
Inscriptions in the Irish Language,"
chiefly collected and drawn by George
Petrie, LL.D., and edited by 'Margaret
Stokes. Dublin, 1S72, Roy. Svo. This
plundering seems to have been placed
at A.D. 956 in the " Annals of Clonmac-
noise," edited by liev. Denis Murphy,
S.J., p. 157.
^1 See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of
the Four Masters," vol. ii., pp. OSO, 6S7,
and nn. (s, a).
"- Now Inistioge, on the River Nore,
County of Kilkenny.
**^ Sec; ibid., pp. 686 to 691.
^* Now A.ughboyne, a ford on the
River Snir.
■■"^ Nr)w Castlecomer, a town in tlie
County of Kilkenny.
•■"'' This, as a repetition, is more cir-
cumstantially related at 967, and
through an oversight the entries were
piob-il'ly copied from different sources.
^' Se ■ Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of
the lour Masters," vol. ii., pp. 692. C93.
'^^ The Irish name, Bealach-duin.
^'' See ibid., pp. 604. 695.
'"' See Wilham M. lleiinessy's "Chroni-
cu:ii ScLilorum," p}). 2JJ, 225.
•■" Western JJflev.
ANNA!.?; 01' Till': Tl'.NTir CKNTURV.
3'''7
thousand men and sixty young lords, among the rest Diarmaid, son to
Donnchad, Tanist of Osraigh. Again, the Ui-Ceinnseaiaigh were plundered
in Osraighe, where Domhnall, son to Ceallach, lord of Ih-Ceinnsealacli
and many others were slain.*^-
In 973,93 jMuireadhach, son to Donnchadh, son to Ceallach, Tanist of
Ossory, died. The next year94 his celebrated father Donnchadh died,
and he was succeeded by his son Gillaphadraig I. in that princi{)ality.'J5
In Q76, fcctc 07S, Conghalach, son to Flann, lord of Leighc"'' and Reehab,07
with many others, was slain, in a battle fought at Bithlam'''^ by the
foreigners against the Leinstermen.')9 At 977, rccic qyq, Conchobhar,"-"'
son to Finn, lord of Ui-Failge, died.io' The same year, Dunghal,
son to Donnchadh, Tanist of Ossory, died.i'"'- In 981, /-ccti; qSj,"'^
Osraighe was plundered by Brian, ^04 son of Ceinneidigh, still better
known in Irish History a> the celebrated Brian Boroimhe. Again,
in 982,105 Gilla-Phadraig ""J plundered Leighghlinn ; but in atonement
for this, besides doing penance, he gave his two sons to Molaisi
for ever. This was the Irish name for St. Laserian, patron of Leighlin ;
and the sons of that chief seem to have embraced the religious rule of
the place. That same Gilla-Phadraig joined the people of the Decies, and
the Danes of Cork and Waterford in hostility against Brian, son of
Ceinneidigh, who invaded Ossory, and took him a ])risoner. Hostages
were also given. '^7 In 9S5, the Leinstermen led an army into Ossory,
the northern part of which they plundered, and they slew there Riagan,
son to ]Muireadhach, and the son of Cuiliun.i^s As no mention is made
of Gillaphadraig, it may be inferred that he had not then been lil.ierated
from captivity. loy The " Annals of Clonmacnoise " incorrectly ante-
date at 991 the death of Gillapatrick ?tlc Donnogh, lord of Ossory.' "^
His elected successor or Tanist was his brother, Tadhg, slain by the
'•*- Dr. O'Donovan states, that tlie
foregoing events belong to a.d. 794.
See " Annals of the Four Masters,"
vol. ii., pp. 698, 699.
^3 Dr. O'Donovan adds yectc 975.
Sec ihicL, pp. 700, 701.
'■'* See ibid.
■'^ Sec Jolm Hogan's " Kilkinny,"
etc., pp. 142, 14:,.
■"' Now Lea, in tlic bnrony of L'orlna-
hinch, Queen's County.
'■''' Now ■\Ioiett, adjoining the (ireat
Heath of Maryborough, Queen's County.
'"^ Now Belan, about four miles east
of Athy, County of Kildare.
'''-• See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of
the Four ^Masters," vol. ii., pp. 704 to
707. The " Annals of Clonmacnoise,"
edited by Rev. Denis Murphy, notice
this battle, at a.d. 971. See p. 15S.
100 According to Dr. 0'L)onovan,
he was ancestor to the Ui-Conchobhair
Failghe, or O'Conors of Offaly, and
e\-idently the progenitor, from whom
they took th.eir surname, although
Duald Mac Firbis says that the surname
was taken from his grandson Conchobhar
son to Conghalach. His father, I'inn,
was slain in Q28.
"^' See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of
the Four Masters," vol. ii., and n. (o)
pp. 70S, 709.
*°- See ibuL, pp. 710, 711.
i°3 Sec iliid., pp. 714, 715.
If* This was the celebrated Brian
Boroimhe, an account of whom and of
the period when he h"ed, may be found
in the author's " l.ivi 3 of the Irisli
Saints," vol. iv., at the 23rd day nl
April, pp. 276 to 450.
lor. S(^p p)j-_ O'Donos'an's " .Annals nf
the Four blasters," vol. ii., iip. 714, 715,
and n. (d).
""' Meaning the Servant of l^atrick'.
This \vas Gillaphadraig, son to Donn-
chadh, and the iir(.),penitor after whoni the
Ttlac Gillaphadrai^'s or l-'itzpatricks of
Ossorv have taK-eii their hereditary
surname.
"'' See Thomas Moore's " History 01
Ireland," vol. ii., chaji. xx., pp. 91, 92.
io« See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of
the Four Masters," \'ol. ii., pp. 718,
710-
1°^ See John Hogan's " Kilkenny,"
Ac, p. 143.
*i° See the " Annals of Clonmacnoise,"
edited by Rev. Denis Murphy, S.J.,
30^ HISTORY OF THE OVlil.S'S COUNTY.
men of Mimstcr in C)()u."' At a.d. i-.o;, is rrcoidixl the siayiii!^' of Cuim,
son to Conghalach,'lord of Ui Fail.glie.'i- In (ju4^^i or 095,114 (iilla-
Padraig, son to Donncliadh, King of Osraighc, was slain by Dnnnal^lian,"'!
son to'lmhar, wlio it would appear had afti-rwards been slain bv ihe
Lagenians."6 This record in Tighernach at a.d. 996 represents (".i!la-
f'adraig as having been slain by Donnabhan, son of Tmar, and by
Doinhnalb son to Faelan, king of the Deisi. Gilla-Phadraig ruK'd Ixycnty-
one years over Ossory, and left behind him four sons, viz., Dunghal, Tadhg,
IMuircheartach 01 Mortough and Donnchadh. By tlic latter, he was
succeeded in the principality, and in the order of chieftain descent he
is recognised as Donnchadh" II. i'? In a.d. r,()S, Maelseachlainn Ua
IMaclruanaidh, lord of Crcamhthainn, was slain by the Ui-Ceallaigh ; "^
vel it is no' known if the district in question be referable to I.eix or
Meath. hi 999, a great hosting was led by Brian, son to Ceinnc'digh,
against Maelseachlainn II. monarch of Ireland. In this confederacy
were united the chiefs and forces of South Connaught, the men of Osraighe
and Leinster. with the Danes of Dubhn. The latter set out before the
arrival of th( Irish contingents at Tara, and sent a jdundering party
into Magh Breagh,"*^ where Maelseachlainn opj^used them. After a
spirited battle, the foreigners were defeated, and fqw of them escaped.
Afterwards, Brian proceeded to Fearta-neimheadh i-^ in Magh I^reagh,
but returned back without battle, without ].lundering, and without
burning.
CHAPTER IV.— Annals of the Eleventh Century.
When Donnchadh I. was King of Ossory, he had a son named Diarmaid.
who had been elected as Tanist or his successoi- in that principality, but
who had been killed, a.d. 972, in a battle fought in Magh Liphi, by one
of the Wicklow O'Tooles. He left a son named Ceallach, probably a
minor at the time of his father's death, but who, on the death of Gilla
Phadraig I., twenty-one years later, obtained the headship of his tribe,
which he held from a.d. 995 to a.d. 1002. However, he had a first
ron-in, a man of cool, cruel and unprincipled ambition, who violently
removed him from that position, and usurped his principality.
p. 194. The O'Clerys record his death Danes of Waterford, was married to
at A.D. 997. a c!anp;hter of this Donovan.
I'li See John Ifo.t,'an's " Kilkenny," ^1*' He was killed by Ciuluili£;h, son to
&c., p. 143. Cinaedh, one of the Ui-Fail;^!^-, at the
112 See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of end of a week, and in revcn.'^^e f.M- his
the Four Masters," vol. ii., pp. 730 10733. slaying of Diarmaid, son to Dondmall,
113 See WilUam M. Hennessy's lord of Ui-Ccinnsea!niL;h.
" Chronicnm Scotorum," pp. 234, 235. i-^ See John Hogan's "Kilkenny,"
Again this record is entered at a.d. 996, &c., ]>. 143.
apparently an oversight. See ibid., i'^ See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of
pp "^36 237. " the Four jMasters," vi)l. 11., pp. r3.S, 730.
11* According to the O'Clerys. See n'' Called the Beautilul Pkun, and
Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the Four extending from the northern part of
Masters," vol. ii., pp. 734, 735. Dublin County into the County of "Meatli.
nfi Anglicised Dcmovan, and thought i^') Sui>posed by Dr. O'Donovan to
by Dr. O'Donovan to have been the have been Feartagh, in the parish of
grandson of Donovan, rex Nc[^olinn Moynalty, barony of Lower Kells,
Fidlii^cinte, who was slain by I^.rian County of Meath.
Boroimhe in 977. Ivor, king ol the '-' S. e //'la'., pj). 742, 743.
ANNALS OF Till-: ELEX'F.NTII Ci:XTl'I\V. 3GQ
I 111 lOOT, arcdidiiiL; to (lir " riiroiiicuiii Sr(!l' nuin," ' or a.d. looj,
i accoi'diii.i; to the ( )'(_'lri"ys,- Ceallach, son to DKirinai.l. !\ii!- ol ( )^,i-aii;li,.5
f was killcil l)y the son of his father's brother, i.e.. 1)\- 1 Joniuhaih!, son to
I (iilla-Phadraic 1. Whether this unnatural action was the i e_-.nl t of
I ])rivate assassination, or of open rebclhon, is not kiM'.-, ii : hnl noiinrliadh
! II. immediately- succeeded his \-ictim, and tins haii!)ened nea!l\- ron-
I temporaneous with Brian Boroimhe's usr.rpation of [\iv so\'erei,L;f it\- of
^ Ireland. 4 In 1008, Gusan, son of Ua Trea^sach. lord ol Ui-ilairrehe,
[ died. There is a double entry of his death, at this war."; .AIoi( o\-cr,
\ in the year loio, Fealan, son of Dunlaint.;, li)r(_l oi ri-landlie, dn-d.''
I When in 1012, Maelmordha, K'iiiij; of i.eiusler, haxan^ (|i'.airelled
I wit II .Mnrro,^]i ()'Brian,7 an,uu"ily quitted the 1 onrt of Ifi'ian lloroiinhe
\ at Ivlncora, the messeiii^cr of this latter monarch, C'o;_;aran, overlook tlu
I former i;uest at the ])lank bridge of Killaloe, on ilie (\ist side, \\!iil>t
I monntin:;- Ins horse. The Kin.i:; of Leinster, stun,i; with the fantaed Ui>uli
[ he had receiwd, not onh' refused to listen to explanation or a])olo'_;\ ,
i but lie a(^tuall\- struck the messen,<er with, a stiel:, and " broke all tfi-.'
I bones ol his head." lie then returned in all haste lo Lemsier, while
I leaN'ini; Kdlaloe he rode without sloiipiuc.^-, and he >!>ent the lirst uudir
{ at Sen Leas .\bainn, t)r Killabban in the OieeMi's * ount\', wlieif ihvelt
I . tlie son of l>erdai. King of tln' Ui md3huidhe. Alter a loiv^ and fatn^ning
f jonrney, thus to his house ^"^ escaj^ed ^laelmordha. Soon afterwa'tls
I Maelmordha formed a confederacy with the Danes of OuIjImi, and their
f allies in Scandinavia, when Brian Boroimhe led an arni\' ol Miin>i(rmen
; Vviio encamped on Sliabh Mairge, and thev i)lnndcred Leinster as far as
! ■ Ath-Chath.'' ( )ssory wa,s ravaged in ioi_;."J bv -Maelseaelilamn, and th,e
I L'a Xeill, and by l-a Maeildoraidh, wlio led a hosting into Leinster, when
': they ga\'e that kingdom to Domicuan, son of Bnnlaing.
I In the beginning of T014.'* iirian Boroimhe asseiuMi'd a great army
\ of jMomonians and Connaeiaus, with the forces of .Maelseaelij-jiu, Kin:;
I of Meath ; and, marching into Leinster, they advanced [o Duldm where,
I
I ' See cditien of William M. Ik-mu-^sy, irritated fci-liii-, ]\raclrnordlia .spent the
i YV- -A*-'. -41 ■ ni^ht at tin- Ik.usv cil tlu- rhu-f of
I -Sec Dr. ( VI ionm'an's " Annals of the I'l ni-f iiiidiii, \\\\<\ \v:is n.iiiu-il Al.ic
I iMUir .Masti-is," vol. ii., ]^\>. 74S, 74c). JJcnlai, now llirrs-. See tin- C(i;;,\-(ili
f •' Ills death at a.u. iuoJ (aliis 1003) ,s.\et)l)el Kc 5;,mLI .m1>1i, edited li\- 'Ucv.
I is t,iniply conmieinorated in William M. Janies lleiuliom Todd,
j llennessy's AtuK\LA llU\-uli, \-ol. 1., pp. '' See at a.i>. loij (ali.is ioi 3), Willuuu
I 5o.Sto5ii. AI. Henne,-.s\-'s .\ihksL.\ UIa-oIi, vol. i.,
!; ■* See John llo^an's " Kilkenny," &c., pp. 5^0, 5^1.
j pp. T43, 144. ' 1" See William :\I. l!<-nne>-,y's "Chrom-
1 5 c^L-e Dr. (3' Donovan's " Annals of the cnn-i Seoloruiii," po. J44, jqq.
\ Foiu- Masters," vol. II., pi>. 7O0. 761. I'ldie ()'Cder\-s' place tfi'e h.ittle ol
j « See -//;/(/., pp. 7(q, 70^. Clonlart ,it loi':;, bnt Dr. O'Donovan
I ■^ Rev. Dr. (ieohrey Ki^-atm;.; has a ,!;i\es the triK- date at a.d. 1014, addiiV'
I roinanlic account of the causes which a nuinlier of ilhi^tritive nott-s to their
t ()riij;inated this dispute between Mryaii ai-eount in hi- edition of the " Ann.ds
I Ixiroiinhc, the suiareme Monarch ol ol the l-'our Masters," vol. 11., pji. 770
I Indand, and Maelmordha, Kin^' of to 7S7.
j l.i-iusti-r, in his "General History of '^Mari.inus Scotus iixes the date at
j Irel.ind," I'art ii. " I>ar,isce\-e l',l^chae, se\ta fi na o
'^ Idle distance between this place and C'alendas Mail " in his ChroniC(ju.
Killaloe cannot be much under sixty Hence, I^oderick O'ldaherty with other
j miles, which may be regarded as au data gives the 23rd of April, 1014. See
] unusual day's jtjurney on horseback. " Osv^'ia," Pars iii., cap. .xciii., p. 435.
I He:e. a,-ubi!ess, under the iulluence of ' ' fdiere are a variety of accounts m
!
370
HISTORY OF THE QUEEN's COUNTY
under the cominaud of IMaelmordlia the Lagenians and Forthuatha had
concentrated, and united with the Danes and other Northmen, that liad
arrived from Scandinavia and the Tsles of Scotland. Without the walls
of Dublin a sanguinary and long-contested l)alile took place on Good
Fridav, April 23rd, i^ on the jdains of Clontart,i3 in which many chiefs
with their followers on both sides were slain. H This celebrated battle
has been placed under the heading of 906, in the " Annals of Clonmac-
noise," i5 where it is stated, that with Mulmorev IMcMurrogh McFtiun,
King of Leinster, his ally McBrogaroann, jM-ince of Affalie, and many
others were slain. .\m()iig these, doubtless, were many Chiefs and clans-
men of Leix and Ossory, as these were ranged on the King of Leinster's
side.i'' Soon after the battle of Clontarf, the victorious Mimster forces
under the leadershiii of Donnchadh O'Rrian, son to P)rian Boroimhe,
took tlieir journeN' liomewards, and marched into Magh Cloiiuie Ceallagh,
in the territory oi Ti Gaibhla, represented by the O'Kelly's territory.i7
Tlirre Donnchadli Mac Giolla-f^hadhraig had drawn out the men of Ossory
to o]i])ose tliem ; '"^ but linding a resolute determination on their ixut
to advance, tlie Ossorians declined the battle and withdrew troia
obstructing the Dalcais.^''
In the year 1014 or 1015,^0 Flaitlibheartach O'Neill came into Meath
to aid ?ilaelseachlaiim, and aft(;rwards the\' led an army of the men of
?*h'Olli and Bregia into Leinster. He plundered the comitrv as far as
Leitligiilinn. He can-jed off spoils and prisoners. During this e\])edi
tionirv raid, he slew thi; lord ot Ui ni-L^huidhe ;ind many otlxn-s.-i Alael-
seachlainn brought away tlu' hostages of Deinster.^-' Cinneidbigh, son ot
Fearghal, Lord of Leix, died, in the year 1014.-.5 Gaeitlrin Ua Mordha -1
was slain .\.i). ioif< [rccfi- loiy].-"^ In loif). Connm'iach, lector and
abbot of Achadh-Urghlais,-6 v.as slain by the lh-Bairrclie.-7 Cearnach
Ua Mordha, Lord of Laeighis, was killed a.d. 1017.--'' In a.d. 1018
[rede loiq], Gillacaeimlvdiin,-') son of Dunlaing, son of Tuathal, royal
heir of Leinster, was slain liy the Leinstermen themselves, i.e., by the
jK'opk' of Laeighis. In 1021, the " Annals of Ulster," 3<> record a shower
of wheat to have been shed in Osraighe. This ajipears to have been the
reference to this celebrated battle, and
several details ,ij;ivcn, characterised more
by exa'^'geratiou than accuracx'.
1* See William M. Hennessy's Ann,\LA
ut.\T^li, vol. i., pp. 530 to 535.
'^ See the Rev. Denis ^lurpliy's
edition, pp. 165 to i(\y.
18 It is to be rem, irked, that the Irish
Annals seldom ha\'e ■listiiictive mention
of the Leix chiefs or contingent in con-
nection with the I,einster forces, as
from old eni^af;ements and tribal allini-
ties they usually served as allies.
I'' See Kev. John Francis O'Searman's
" T.oca Patriciana," No. .vii., p[i. V'5.
366.
'■"^ It is also stated, llie men of Leix
ami of Leinster, were their allies on
tins occasion.
^■> Various versions of this a Hair are
<;iven, and different places within the
(Jueen's County are naineil for the
position selected by the Ossorians to
oppose the Munstermen. The O'ivelly's
country lay westv/ards from Atlu'.
-'^ According to the .Annals of l.'lster.
-1 See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of
the Four Masters," vol. ii., pp. 7S2, 738.
--See William M. Mennessy's AntuU .\
llUvTiti, \-ol. 1., ]i[). 530, 537.
-■' Sei' l)r. O'Donovan's "Annals of
the Four Masters," vol. ii., pj). 784, yS^.
-^ Anglicised Gahan O'More.
-^ //'/(/., pp. 790, 791, and n. (i.)
-'• Now .\gha, where the ruins of an
old church may be seen, in the barony ot
Idrone East, County of Carlow.
-' See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of
the l*''nir Masters," vol. ii., pp. yi'-<^, 7S9.
-See I )r. (^'Donovan's "Annals of
till- r'our Masters," vol. ii., pp. 79^, 793.
-"' The denomination Gillacaeimhghin
mea.ns the Servant of St. Coeinrhgin or
Ke\in. Me was the grandson of Tuathail,
the [Drogenilor after whom the Fj-
Tuathail, or O'Tooles of Leinster, took
i ANNALS OF THE ELEVENTH CENTURY. 37I
[ incident alluded to in the " Annals of C]onniacnois(;." where it is referred
to T014.31 Perhaps this was only a figurative way of expressing an
abundant harvest.
I Donnchadh, son of the monarch Brian Boroiinhe, in 1024,32 led a
I hosting to carry off hostages from Midhe and Bregh, as also from the
I foreigners, the Lagenians and Ossorians.33 This same year, Aimhirgin
I Ua Mordha, King of Laighis, was slain. 34 In 1025,3^ Donnchadh, son
\ of Brian Boroimiie, led a division of his Munstermen against the
IOssorians, hut he was signally defeated, and. a great numln'r of his
adherents was then slain. This event is r)laced at a.d. 1027, in the
J " Annals of Ulster." 36 In 1024, the people of Ossory and the TAinstei-
k men went to Taylclioynne — interpreted the Tolka River — and brought
I a rich l)ooty of jewels and ]5risoners from the Danes. 37
I In or about the year 1026, a battle was said to have been gained by
I the 0'P)rcnans over the O'Moores, at a place called Boherovora, or the
I Bloody Road, a quarter of a mile, north by east, from the village of
I Timahoe. According to other accounts, the Ui Duach were defeated.
[ In this battle were slain Aimhergin 0'More,3''! Lord of I.eix, and
[ Cuiduilegh O'Brenan, Lord of Ui Duach, with many others. 39 If we
i Jii'iy ji-idge. however, as in the instance of the Offidy OToiiors, by tli(^
I ghairm-sluagh, i.e. " call oi tlie tribe," or slogan, the O'Mores had tor
f' their war cr3^ " Conlan-al)oo," and this seems pointing to s«me i)atriarrh
[ bearing the name of Conlan. No such name appears in the " Annals of
ithe Four Masters." Hence, the origin of this clan slogan has still to be
discovered. In the year 1026,40 among the other liostages held by
Donnogh, the son of iBrian Boroimhe, were those of Oss()ry.4i During
J this century many shameful acts of perfidy and l)arbarity — even among
i members of the same family — are on record. In 1027 Teige McGille-
i patricke had his eyes put out by Donough lMcGillc]")atrick.4- The sauK.'
I year,43 Donnogh McBrian with his forces went to Ossory, where the
I inhabitants of that country gave an overthrow to some of the army
I of Prince Donnogh, and killed several of his adherents.4^^ In a.d. I02(),i>
I ^^hielseachlainn, son of Maelruanaidh, lord of Crumthann,!'^ was killed
[ by Brian O'Conor, royal heir of Connauglit, who afterwards fell by his
i own people.47 Moreover, Donnsleil.ihe, son to Tjrogarbhan, King of thi-
Ui Failghe, was slain by his own people this same war.-i'"^ His name occurs
i in that list of the Kings of Ui-Failghe contained in the " Book o(
Leinster," where he is said to have reigned for three years. -lo In 1031,
their hereditary surname. The O'Toolcs "■'' See Wilham M. Hennessy's "Chroni-
j descend from his brother Donn, or cnm Scotorum," jijx 264 to 267.
j Donnenan, who was appointed Kiuy of "■ See Wilham 1\L Hennessy's edition,
j Leinster, by the monarch IMaelsechlainn vol. i., pp. 5 50, 557.
I II., in 1015. -'^ See the " Annals of Clonmacnoise,"
j 30 See William M. Hennessy's edition, edited by Kev. Denis Murphy, S.J.,
I vol. i., pp. 546, 547. p. 174.
j ^' See Rev. Denis Murphy's edition, ^'^ This Aiiiiu-^in was the son ol
j p. 170. Cinaeth, who was son ol Ceinneidigh
I 32 See \/vil]iam M. Hennessy's "Chroiii- who was son of Mordha, the progenitoi
I cum Scotorum," pp. 264, 265. alter whom the family of O'Mordha,
i 23 xiiis expedition is placed at a.d. or O'More, took their hereditary surname.
j 1026 in William M. Hennessy's edition '^ According to " The O'Brenans and
of AnriAlA tilATih, vol. i., pp. 556, the ancient territory of Hy-Duach." A
557. lecture delivered to the members of the
3' See ibid. Ballyragget Temperance Club. By the
37'-^
HISTORY OF Tin: queen s couxty.
a hosting was k-d by Donnchaclh, son to Brian Boroimhe into Ossory,
wliL're a slaughirr of his I'lcojtle \\'as made, incduchng Maelcolaini Cain-
raighech,5o and many others. 5i In 10:3, after assuming the Kingship
of Leinster, Donnchadli Mac Gilla Phadraig celebrated the Fair of
Carman. 5- This same year, a quarrel toolc place among ilie i)eoi)!e ot
lUi O'CarrolI. 111 which fell Braen Ua C]''irii(h and Muiredach Mac Gilla-
Phadraig, with a great many morcss In 10J4, Donnchadh, son to Briaii
Boroimhe, plundered all Ossory. 54
A barbarous action of Donnchadh Mac Gillapadraig is recorded at
A.D. 1034.55 He blinded Donnchadh, son to Dulamg, King of Laighen.5'1
In the " Book of Leinster,"57 it is stated, that this outrageous act was
committed after the victim had beiTi brought out of the Chiu-ch ol
Disert-Diarmata,5S where lie had jnobably taken refuge. At a.d. 1037, 5''
the death of Donnchadh Mac Gillapadraig, chief King of Laighen and
Osraige, occurred. This event is set down in the " Annals oi Ulster," at
A.o. io3Q.'j'J The King of Leinster, Dinmogli McDuwlen, had lis e\es
l)ut out m 1037, by McGillapatrick, King ot Ossory, and soon after he
d:ed from grief. "^ In I03<), Glenn-Uisnenn, now Kileshin, in this territjiy.
was plundered, its oratory was broken, 100 jiersons were slain tlicicin,
and 700 persons were taken out of it by the son of Mael-na-Mbo.<J- in
revenge for the plunder; n.; of Ferna.^3 The " Annals of Ulster " have
this outrage at a.d. 1042. "4 In 1041, the Ui-Cein»iscalaigli undertook
a preying excursion into Ui-Bairrche. But, Murchadh, son of Dnnlaing,
overtook them, and defeated them with great slaughter at C!ll-Mola[)j)oc.'J5
Domhnall Reamhar, i.e., the Fat, heir to the lordship of Ui-Ceinnselaigh,
fell with them. ''"J In 1041,6/ Muirchertach iMac Gilla-Phadraig was
treacherously slain by the Ui-Caellaidhe or OTvelh's.
In the year 1041, Donnchadh, son of Aedli, chief of Ui-Bairche,
J^cv. Nicholas ]Miir]i!u-. See als() the
" Annals cI Loch Ce," edite'l by Wilhani
M. llennessy, M.R.I. A., vol. i., pp. jS, 29.
^" See the " Annals oi Clonniacnoise,"
edited by ivev. iJenis IMurjiliy, S.J.,
*^ lliis i,-5 also stated in the Aniu\L<i
Ul.M.h, edited by William M. Henne.'^sy,
vol. i., ])n. 55'J, 5 57-
*-' See the " .Vnuals of Clonmacuoise,"
edited by Rev. Denis ]\hu"i)hy, S.J.
p. 175.
*3 See ihul.
** See tlic ^mitiaIa niAXjh, edited
by William M. llennessy, vol. i., x)p.
556 to 569.
*^ See Dr. O'Donovan'a " Annals of
the Four ]Ma.sters," vol. ii., pp. S16, 817.
*'' It is not known if this refers to
the Lei>: district of LJi-CreanUhainn.
•*" See tiie Anti.\l.\ tn..\-oh, edUcd
by William i\l. ilenne.-,.-.)-, \-ol. i., pp.
5O0, 5O1.
^" S'ee ibiu', pp. SS^> 559-
*^ See at p. 40, col ^.
5° That is of Caenrai^he, a tribe and
t(.rritovy now ropreseuted by the
barony of Kenry, County of Limerick.
"i See William i\L Hennessv's ^\n)u\i,A
UL^-oh, V(i!. i., p[). 564, 56-;, and. n. 3.
PP- SSfJ. 5 57-
Hennessy's
pp. 272. 273.
A.D. 1030, m
See Willuim
.^70
of
the
'■- According; to Williani M. Henuessy,
this place was in the j)resent County of
Carlow.
^^ See thid., and n. 8,
^^ See ;/'/(/., t;():S, 50^.
'-■' See Wllham .M
" Chrmiirum Scotorum,'
■''" 1 his is recorded at
the Annals of I'lster.
M. Hennessy's edition, vol. i., pp.
to 573 anil n. 8.
5' At p. 39, col. 3.
^^ Now Castledermot, County
Kildare.
■'■' His death is recorded in
Annals of Clonniacnoise at 1039.
See Ivev. Dems ■Murphy's edition, p.
176.
"" See William M. Hennessy's edition,
vol. 1., pp. 574, 575.
•"^ See the " .Vnnals of Cloninacnoise,"
by Rev. I.^enis JNlurphy, S.J., p. 170.
''- Apparently by Diarmait, at first
King of Ui-Cemnselaj^h, and ulti-
mately King of Leinster.
''^ See William .M. Hennessy's
" Chronicuin Scotorum," pp. -'74, J75.
'^* See ^\iiiu\Ia UlAuh, etlilion of
William M. llennessy, vol. i., pp. 578,.
579, and a. 7.
ANNALS OF THE ELEVENTH CENTURY. 373
took Faclan Ua Mordlia, lord of Leix, prisoner. The captive was then
delivered up to Murchadh, son of Dniikung, Kin^ of Leinstcr, who
ixirbarously blinded him.^^ And at the same date, Cnciche U Dunlaing,
lord of Laeigliis, and his son, and Cailleoc, his wife, were slain by Mac
Conin at Teach-Mochua-mic-Lonain.'^.' Mac Conin himself was killed
on the following day, by Ua Broenain, for this actJ"^ The circumstance
was regarded as a great miracle by JMocluia,"' pioWably owing to the pro-
vidential retribution which followed after such murders. Speedy
retribution seems rikewise to have overtaken Murchadh, son of Dunlaing,
King of Leinster, and Donnchadli, son ot Acdh, Lord of Ui-Bairrche,
for their deeds of treachery. They fell in the year 1042, by (iilla-Phadraig,
son of Donnchadh, Lord of Ossory, and Cucoigcriche Ua Alordha, Lord
of Leix, and ALicraith Ua Donchadha, Lord of Eoghanacht, at Magh
Muilceth,?- ni Laeighis. In this battle of Magh-Muilceth, Gilla-Emhm
Ua h-Anrothain,7o Lord of Ui-Cremhthannain,7! and Eachdonn, son of
Dunlaing, Tanist of Leinster, with many others, were slain." i In 1042,
Macraith, son of Gorman, son of Treasach, Lord of Ui-Bairrche, and
his wife, were slain at Castle Dermod,/*^ by the- Ui-r5alkun.77 Li k^j
at Maclcoennaigh 7^^^ on the brink of the Snir, a victory was gained over
the people of Ossory and Ormond,79 by Carthach,'''^ son to Saerbrethach.'^i
m which Ua Donnacain, King of Aradh, was slain. Li the year 104G,
Conchobhair Ua Lomgsigh, or Conor O'Longsy, Lorc[ of Dal Araidhe,
was slain in Ui-Buidhe, in Leinster, by the son of Domhnall Ua Loingsigh,
or Donell O'Longsi. This happened, also, ni violation of a guarantee
given by Niall, son of Eochaidh, King of L^lidia, and of Diarmaid, son
of Mael-na-m Bo.^- A hosting was led by the son of Brian to Magli-
n-Airbin 1047,^3 when he carried olf the hostages of Laighen and Osraighe.
In 1050 Donnchadh, son to Gilla-Faelain, King of the Ui-Failge,
was slain. ^4 Again, Donnchadh Ua Ceallachain, royal heir of Cashel,
was killed by the Osraighi, a.d. 1053.^1 This same year, the death of
Gillapadraig, King of Osraige, is recorded.^<J In 1055, Gillepatncke,
King of Ossory, died of grief. ^7
^^ An old graveyard in the townland '"' See Dr. O'Donovan's " AiinaLs of
of Donore, parish of Lorum, and County the Four Masters," voL li., pp. 840 to
of Carlow. 8.13.
''''' See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of "'' This ancient town is in the southern
tlie Four Rhisters," voL ii., pp. 840, S41. part of the County of Kildare.
'■'' See WiUiani M. llennessy's *\niiALJk ■'' See ibid, pp. 842, 843.
UlA-oh, voh i., pp. 578, 579 and n. 3. "" Dr. O' Donovan thoutjht this was
•^^ See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the place where the river Multeru unites
the Four Masters," vol. ii., pp. 83S, 839. with the Suir, about three miles to the
''"Now Tiniahoe in the (Jueen's west of Cashel, County Tipperary.
Comity. '■' See William M. llennessy's A.\nnokLA
■" See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of ULatjIi, vol 1., pp. 580 to 583, and nn.
the Four Masters," vol. ii., pp. 840, 841. 13, 14, 15, i.
"1 See AnnAlA ULa-oIi edited by "" From him the Desmond Mac
William M. Ilennessy, vol. i., pp. 580, Ciirthys derive their name.
r;8i. 81 Literally " noble-judj^inj;." Hence
'2 Dj- O'Donovan states, that this tlie southern MacCarthys have adopted
place, which he Anglicises " Muilceth's their lavourite Christian names of
Plain," is now unknown in Leix, or the Justin and Justinian.
Queen's County. "- See I3r. O'Donovan's " Annals of
■^ Now Anglicised O'Hanrahan or the Four Masters," vol. 11., pp. 850, 851.
Hanrahan, a name still known in the ^'^ See William M. Heunessy's"Chroni-
Queen's County. cum Scotorum," pp. 27S, zyg.
'* Around the rock of Duuamase llii.'^ ''' See William M. llennessy's ^nriALxi
tribe was seated. UIatjIi, vol. 1., | p. 588, 589.
374 HISTORY OF THE QUEEN's COUNTY.
ft
In the y^'ar 1063, Laeighseach, sou of Foalau Ua Mordha, Lord of
Leix, was sl.wn.ss In 1064/'''-' Muircheartach Ua Neill, Lord of TuUaghog,
was slain by Ui Criinlithainn.9i> In 1065,'" Culen O'Domhnallain,
chief brchou of Ui Failge, was slain by the Ui Crinihthannain. Most
]n'obably this territory was in Leix. Moreover, Gillamaire, son of Dubh,
chief of Crimthannain,''- was slain at Timahoe, by O'lMore, a.d. 1069.'^
fVbout this time also the " Annals of Clonmacnoise," state tha^ IMurtagh
O'Connor of Aff^ilie was blinded of both his eyes, and by his own brother."*
In the year 1069, Maciairn. sou of Dul:)htach, Lord of the Comann^,
died. This very same year, also, Fealan. i.e., the Bhnd, Ua Mordha.
died at Achadh-bo.'-*^ He was the son of Aimirgin, slain a.d. 1026 ;
and he probably sought a religious retirement at Aghaboe, to be the
more consoled for a privation, which unfitted him to discharge the
active duties of his worldly station ni life. In the year 10G9, according
to the " Chronicon Scotorum," the battle of Odhbha, in Meath, was
fougIit.'"J Diarmaid, son of Mael-na-m Bo, King of the Foreigners, of
Laighcn and of Leth Mogha, at the head of a confederated force, seems
to have entered the territory of Conchobar Ua Maelseachlainn, King of
Meath. The contending forces met at a place called Muillenn-Chul/)7
or " the Mill of Cul," near Navan, on Tuesdav, the seventh of the Ides
of Febraary, a.d. 1072, according to the " Annals of the Four ]Masters,"v8
where a desiderate engagement took ])lace, in which the Jving of Leinster
was defeated and slain, '.lo together with hundreds of the foreigners and
Leinstermen. Among others on his side, the valorous King of Riada
was slain. This title he derived from Magh-Riada of Laeigliis or Leix.
We lik'ewise read, that Lorcan, son of Flaithniadh Ua Duibli, Lord of
Creamhiliannain — apparently of Leix — with many others, was slain
in battle, a.d. 1071.100
In 1074, '"1 Ivmg Turlough O'Brian, willi ail his forces of Minister
and Ossory, ;uid with a great army of Meathmen, Connaughtmcn,
Leinstermen, and Danes, invaded Ulster, to get hostages for its sub-
mission to his rule ; but he was defeated with great loss of his armv at
Athfirdie,!"- and obliged to return without accomplishing the objects
^^ See AnnAl.A tllA-oh edited by the Four Masters," vol. ii., jip. 896, 897.
William M. ^le]^^e^^y, \'ol. i., pp. 594, ■"'Set' William M. Heiuiessy's editioQ
595- PP- -00, JO I.
■'^" See William M. Hennessy's "Clironi- '•''' '1 lu-re is no place near Navan, at
cum Scotorum," pp. 282, 283. the present time, bearing this name.
^^ See the " Annals of Clonmacnoise," '■^'^ See Dr. O'Donowin's " Annals of
edited by liev. Denis Mur[)hy, S.J., the Four Masters," vol. ii., pp. 902, 903.
p. 178. '•''•' Caratlc, of Lancar\'an, has referred
'^'^ See Dr. O'Donovan's " .\nnals of his death incorrectly to about a.d. 106S.
the Four Masters," vol. ii., pp. 184, 185. He is called there " Dermitium Mackeit-
"'■' See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of ' And, di;:^nissimum et optimum jirin-
the Four Masters," vol. ii., pp. 886, 8S7. cipem ([ui unquam in Hibernia regnavit."
90 Possibly of Meath. 100 See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of
'■'' See Dr. O'Donovan's " Anna ofsl the Four Masters," vol. ii., pp. 900, 901.
the Four Masters," vol. ii., pp. 888, 1°' See the " Annals of Clonmacnoise,"
889, and n. (s) ibid. edited by Kev. Denis Murphy, S.J.,
"-This territory was "undoubtedly in p. t8i.
Leix. ^"'- This place has not been identified.
'■'3 See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of In Dr. O'Donovan's " .Annals of the
the Four Masters," \'n\. 11., pp. 89O, 897. Four Masters," the place of his defeat
^* See edition of Ivev. Denis IMurphy, with great loss was at Ardmonnan. See
S.J., p. 180. vol. ii.
•'■'' See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of i'" See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of
AXNALS OF THE ELI'VENTIl CENTTKY.
375
of his expedition. In 1078/03 a victor\- was obtained over the Ui
Cremhthainn i*^4 by the men of Fcarnniliagh. ;it ShalMi Fuatlh. In
the 3'ear 1079,105 it is stated, the men oi Teathl)hvi and of Cairlire set
out on phnidering exeursions into Hy-Failt^'e, and took many cows ;
however, the people of tliis district overtook tlicm at Clnain-fearta-
Mohia.io^ There a battle was fought Ijetween them ; and the Hy-
Failgeans killed MacCongeimhle, the King of Teatliba and Cairbre,
while they made a great slaughter of his Inllowcrs.'^: In 1087,^°^ Conor
O'Conor, Prince of Offaly, killed Donnogh i\I(l)LUhll Reawar (the fat),
King of Leinster, and Donnogh McDonnell ?\Ic(iillai);itrick, Prince of
Ossor^'.io^ In 10S9, Donnchadh, grautlson of (lilla-Patraic, King of
Ossory, was slain by his own kinsmen. He was son to Don null or
Domhnall, who died in 1087.11°
In the \-rar JO()i, Cincalh Ua Mordha,^ la)rd of Laeighis, and the
son of :\Iaeimanaidh, son of (."ucoirne, who was head of the Ely-0'Carroll,
mutually fell by each other in the house of Ua Briain, at Caiseal.i'^
In 1094, King Moriertagh O'Brian assembled the people of Munster,
Leinster, and Ossory ul Dal.:)lin, togetlier with Donell McFflynn
O'Melaghlin. King of ^Ieath, Donnogh O'lleaghie of Ulster, and Godfrey
oi Dublin, witli ninety ships. Connor O'CoiuKjr of Ophalv, called King
o! Leinster, was made a captive by him.i'3 In the year 1096, Gilmurry
McDuh, the clnef of H^'-Crimhthannan, was Icilled l)v ^.lac^rath O'More,
in the doorway' of the Penitentiary or Oratory of Tecli-?\Iochua, after
both had hrst mutually sworn on a re!ir|ucu-\-. call'^l the caimin. At
the time, this was in the possession of ^.IcDutf. Unless the d(_)(jrway
in the Round Tower be that of the penitentiary alreiidy alluded to, no
other now remains. On recording this act of treachery, the annalists
remark, that the caimin, at the time of this murder, was stained with
McDuff's blood, and that it should continue for ever so marked. It
is a common belief among the Irish, that a stain caused by the blood of
a murdered person can never he removed. Duff was the ancestor of
O'Duibh, now O'Deevy or Devoy, a family seated in Ih-Crimthannain,
at present the barony of Maryborough East m the 0;;een's County. "4
The etymon of the word Caimin, meaning a crooked little tJiii"^, might
the Four INIusters," vol. ii., x^y. 0T2, 013.
i"-* Apparently the ])! oplr in Meath.
los Tins event is iilacei! at .\.D. 1078'
in the " Annals of Clonnuicnoisc," which
state, that tliev preyed and si)oiled the
vhole Termonland of Killeigh in the
King's County. See edition of Rev.
Denis Murphy, S.J., p. 182, and n. j.
1"" This ajjjiears to have be':'n ;i wrong
inseriion, as the true place was Cluain-
fearta Muphaine, now Kilclonfcrt, in the
barony of Lower Philipstown, and Kiu'^'s
Conutv.
"^^ i^ee Dr. O'Don^ ■\':in's "Annals of
the Four Masters," vd. li., y\i. giz to
915.
^^^ See the " Annals of Clonmacnoise,"
by Rev. Denis Murphy," S.J., p. 1S4.
'lO'JSee the *.\nnAlA uIa-oIi, vol.
ii., pp. 42, 43. After the death of
William M. Hennessy, the Council of the
Ivoyal Irish Academy entrusted to Very
Rev. BarthoKnnew M:vCarthv, D.D.
the editiM- ol tlie Si-Cdud and succcinlin;^
\'olumes of tlu'se wdnalile Annals.
This most critical and 1' arned of luam^
Irish scholars assuin 1 the task, wlucli
he completed in a hi dily satisfactory-
manner.
11^' See the Ann a' A iUahIi, ediited
by Very Rev. liarl'ic' nu'-w MacCarthy,
D.D., vol. 11., ijp. .;'■ 47, and n. ;,.
m Anuhciseil Kenny O'M.n-e, lord of
Leix.
"-See 1 »r. O'DoiMvan's " /\nnals of
th'- Four Miisifi.-,," V
and n. n. ('• /..).
i''i See the " .\nn.i
edited by Rev. D
p. 18^, 1 8^1.
i'< See Dr. O'Pon
the Four ?,Iasters," \-
and nn. (f. g.)
"■'' Said to be .\n''
I. n., pp. 040, 941,
4 Clonmacnoise,"
: ; Murphy, S.J..
/an's " Annals of
ii., pp. S96, 897,
ised " the mill of
37^3 HISTORY OF THE ouken's county.
become the local name for a crozier. We liiid it related, that in punish-
ment of his treachery and impiety, ^lagrath O'^Iore was afterwards
killed at Mullen na Crosan,i'S in the vicinity of Aghaboe, having the
caimin then in his possession. His death was a consequence of liaving
violated or disrespected the saints Fintan, ]ik)chua, and Colman. Hence,
we may inler, that the cairnin was sour- venerated reliquarv, either
l-)elonging to one or more of the aforenK'ntionutl saints, or containing
a portion of then' reliques. Nothing is now known o!' tliis sacred object
in the neighbourhood of Timahoe, and it is [jrolnibly Jost or destro^/ed.
In loo!) '"-" or 1007, Aimhirt^in Ua Mordha. Lord of I.aieghis, died.""
The iollownig year, the son of Ciaeitliin Ua ^lordha. Lord oi Leix, \v;is
killed by his own jjeoide.' '^"^ In 1007 is noticed flie death of Di'rvorgill,
dauglitei- to Teige i\Ic(iilla-Patrick,motlR'i- ot Morirrlaeli O'lhicajdonari'li
of Ireland, and of Teige O'Brien. i'" Thu battk' of Magh Cobha took
}.>Iacc in ioo(),'-o when the Ming of the Cinel Eoghain Domhnall the son
of Mac Lochlain, attacked the invaders ol Ulster who were there, and
these were defeated, with the loss of several of their kings and chiefs
slain in that battle. Among the Lagenians and Ossorians fell IMuirertaeh
Mac Gillamocholmog, King of Laighen, and Gilla Padraig Kuadli, King
of Ossory.
niAPTKR v.— Annals of the T\v!:lfth Century.
At the commencement of the twelfth century two powerful rivals con-
tended for supremacy in Ireland. These \vere Muircertach Ua Briain,
King of Munster.' and Domhnall Ua Lochlamn, King over the Northern
Cinel-Eogain.' The latter in\ adcd ^lunster, and caused great destruction
of life and property ; but soon was Mnirchertach in a position to retaliate
on the North. In iioo the forces of Ossory and Leinstrr were joined
with those of Muircertach or Murtogh (J'Brian, King ol Munster, in
that destructive invasion of Ulster, where he ruined many towns and
forts — among tlie rest Ro\-al Aileagh ^^ — and tocik hostages to enforce his
supremacy in Ireland.-i The " :\nnals of Idster," refer this northern
invasion to a.d. iioi. The following year tin- Cinel-Eoghain marchinl to
Magh Coblia,.^ but peace for a year was made between them and the
the Crossans," so calleil fnnn the family 1 He siuxceded Turlon-h on the
of Crossans or Mac Cr(jssans. Unc ot throne of AliinsU-r, a.d. kjSo, aUer the
these l)ecame distuimushed in tin- i"ri,^n e\|niNicin ol his hrotlKr liriinut to
ot Charles II., and he tnolc the name of Connuu^ht, where his cansc was espi. used
Crosljy. See ihid., n. (h.). hy the King of thai ]ir(AinLc, and bv
'"' See the " Annals ol tlonmacnoise," I)omnall I'a Lochlaimi. Whli united
edited by Rev. Denis .Minpiiy, S.J., lorccs they marched a-amst Muir-
P- i>!7. cheartaLh, and laid his pahe (• cjf Knuoi.L
•1" See Dr. Od)unovan's " .\nnals of in ruins. See |ami_s Wills' "l.ivr-, ol
the Four Maslirs," vol. u., pp. 954, 955. Illustrious anil 1 hsinejiiished Irishmen."
''** //'/(/., J)]). o'H). 901. vol. i., jiart ii., |i|). J30 to 241.
'1" She IS also styled Queeu of Ireland - lie belone.ed to the lly Niall race,
in the " .'\nnals of Clonmacnoise," and survived his rival .Muireheartach,
edited by the Rev. Denis Murphy, S.J., when he was ai l<no\vledc;ed as supreme
p. 187. monaich ol IreLind lor a .short jieriod,
'-"See William .M. Hennessy's ha\'in.L; dud ai Lkrry, .^.\^. lui, in t!ie
" Chronicuin Scotorum," pp 306 to 309. sevnt y-third year of his age. See
ANNALS OF THE TWELFTH CEMfKY. 377
Ulitlians, for which hostaL;os wore i^i\on. Ai_;aiii r.i rio',. 'Muirci-rtarh
Ua l^riain, having uiiilcd uiulcr his Iraderslu]) tht' men oi ?.Itiiis(or, of
Leinster, of Connaught, of Ossory, and of Mcath, wuli their chieftains,
marched against the Uhthans, under Donihnall Ua Loi-hliiini, io I\higli-
Cobha. The army of the north lield a position in I'idh^saihMacha,''
and the Cinel F.oghan forces were assembled at a ])l,L(e cahi'd ("elbiia-
Conraire,/ on tlie Plain of Armagh, where they remained for a weel-:
besieging Armagh. Not l^eing able to obtain his re'.jnest, >bnrcertach
turned into INIagli Cobha, where he left the lifth part of his beinster forci's
with a detachment of liie men of ^funster, and then apojiod himself 1()
])illaging in I3al-Airaidhe.'^ However, during this expedition he lost
Donnchadh, son of Toirdelbach, and the son of Ua Conchohiur, Kin,;
of Ciaraidhe and Ua Ijcoam, with other brave warriors. >b'antimi',
Domhnall Ua Lt)clilainn seized the opportiuiity of tliis di\'ision of forces.
and led the Ulster arm\' into ^lagh-Cobha, where on the 5th of August,
he fell upon the Lagenians, Ossorians, Ahtmonians, and the Forcigneis
allied with them. There he inthcte'd a disastrous defeat, attended
with great slaughter. Tiir CinebEoghain '' returned in great tiium|')h
and with many spoils and trojdiies, including the ro\-al paxalion and
banuca" of Ua-13riam.'''
About tlie year 1103, Cowlcaggrig de ObMordhn, chief of ClannnTiglilen
in Ijasca, founded and detlicated the monastery de I-Ci»e Dei in bease,
known also as Carraghain in bageiiia." In 1107.'- the Ui-
Cremhthaiuii 'i wounded Catliasach Ua Tuamain, loid of Ui-llrinam
Archaille, and lie died m couseciuence. In ii<i() DoinhUcdl .Macliilla-
Patra'c the Ived, King of Ossory, was killed l)y aiioiher youth in playing
a game.'-l
In iiii, the celebrated Synod of Fidh-Mic-Oenghusa '^ was held
under the presideu'-y of (^'Uach MacHugh, Archl)isho]:) of Armagh,
and there Mael-JNluire I'll Dimain, the eminent senior of Ireland,"' with
more than fifty Bishops, together with three hundred and sixtv priests
and }iriors.i7 ■\Iore(jver, we are told, three tliou^and eccUs'.istics
met -Muircertach Ua Ilriain, together with the nobles of the Half of
Mogh, to enjoin rule andi good conduct on every one, f>oth laic and cleric. '.s
1.'A1.Ik'- :\Ia-C;eO',;lic-an'.s " Hi^U-iio de 'i Sec Tluulv D.nvlin-'s Annals, p. 7,
riiiaude." Tome i. Seconde I'ailie, Riv. Ivicliard IJinicr's Ldiin hi.
cluips. vi., \-ii., ]>j). 4J9, 4jO. '- Sie Dr. 0'L)oiio\'an's " .\iinals nf
■' A celel)ratecl lurtress in tlie present the L'our Masters," vol. ii., pp. 9S4, 9S5.
(-'ounty of Lundouderry, a lew nriles '-^ It seems uncertain whetlier tluy
norlli of the City of Derry. were the septs so denuniinated living in
' Si.-e the " Annals of ( I .aniaennisc," Li ix i >r in jMcatli,
eilited by the liev. Denis }.iurp!i\-, S.J., "See <\niK\t.\ lUAtih, edited l>y
[). 18S. Very Rev. V,. MaLCarthy, D.D., vol. n.,
^ Rev. Geolfry Keating places it in pi'. .'^-, S.v
Ui Eathach, i.c\ Ivea,i.;li in Ulster. '^ 'I he wood nf the Sons of .Ent^ns.
'■ A territeiry in the preseiu County of '" He bidoneed to tlu; pro\anee of
Armagh. Mnnster.
" Tfie name of an old church near ''^ See Dr. (Jeotiry KccUing's " Gemi.il
Armagh, but its exact position has not History ot Ireland," p. 510, Dully's
been identified. edition.
■^ A welbknown territory in the ^a^t ' ^ St e .\inK\U\ uLa-uIi, edited by
of ITster. \'ery Rev. Jj. .MaeCa.rlliy, vol. ii., pp. 04
'•' The people of Tyrone. to 87.
"^^' See ,t\ntiALA tUAi.i!i. edited by ' ^ This is -plai i d at A.n. ill?, by Dr.
Very Ivev. ii. MacCarthy, D.U., vol. 11., Ceoltry Kcalm- in his •" (ieueral History
pp. 00 to 7^, and un. ibiJ. of Ireland."
378
HISTORY OF THE QUEEN'S COUNTY.
The exact site of Fidh-mac-Oengusa is unknown, but its location is
thought to have been near ihe Hill of Usncagli. in the County of Wcst-
nieath. Soon after this, another General Synod '" was assembled at Kath
Breasail,2o under the presidency of Gille or Gillebert, Bishop oi Limerick,-'
The locality of Rath Breasail has not been identilied ; but, as there was
a district called Hy-Brcssail, that formed part of Hy-Failgia in I,einster,
it may have been there.-- The principal affairs transacted at the Ss'nod
of Rath Breasail were recorded in the ancient Book of Clonenagh.-.^ In
it, the number and boundaries of the former dioceses in Ireland arc defined,
with their respective grouping under the prnuate of Armagh's jurisdic-
tion, and under that of the Archl)ishop of Cashel.^-t Twenty-five bishops
sat in that assembly, and they passed very necessary and useful decrees for
the good government of the Irish Church. Clencs oi various ranks and
distmguislied laics were present at this council, which was convened
A.D. iiiiS,=5 and it appears to have been the earliest systematic attempt
to mark out the dioceses of Ireland with jirecision.-'^
In 1113,-7 Domhnall, son of Donnchadh, grandson of Gilla Phatraic,
King ol iJssory, was killed by his brother Goll Gabiaiii. In 1115 -■'■• a
battle was fought by Domnall Ua Briain and the foreigners of Ath-
cliath against the Leinstermen, in whicli Conchobar Ua Conchobair, King
of Ui-Failgi, Donnchadh, grandson of Mael-iia-ml:.o, King of Ui-Ceinnsc-
laigh, their sons, and many others were slain.-' In 1118.30 Toirdelbach
Ua Conchobhair took pledges from the Danes of Ath-c*iiatli and froin_
Leinster and Ossory. This year a mermaid was taken by iishermen of
the Weir of Lisarglinn 3i in "Ossory, and anotlier was taken at Port-
Lairge.3^ In 1119 33 Donagh MacGillpatrick's -on and heir of Ossory
was killed In- the Ossorians themselv(^s.3t
Toirdheallihach Ua Conchobhair, King of Connaught, in 1122 mai'.e
an incursion to the south of Osraighe, when lie <.-ffected a slaughter of
the people, together with Ua Car6e.35 In 11 2;;. 3;' Donnchadh Mac Gilla-
Patraic the Red, King of Ossory, was slain bv Iiis own kinsmen. In
T124, ^luireadhach ]\Iac (jormain, lord of Ui-Bairrche, the ornament
*" Dr. O'Douovan was of opinion tliat
this was tlie ancient name for Mouuirath
in the Queen's County ; but Prolcbsor
O'Curry shows that lvathl-)rasil was the
name of a place contiguous to the C it\'
of Cashel, and in the territory tiicn
subject to Murtat;h 0'13rian.
21 ]Ic was then apostohc legate ui
Ireland.
-- See Rev. Dr. Lauigan's " Ecclesias-
tical History of Ireland," voL iv., chap.
XXV., sect, xiii., p. 38.
-^ From it Dr. Geollry Keatin.i; derives
his account of the Synod of Kath
Breasail.
-* See an account of these divisinus in
the Life of St. Gille or Gillibut m the
author's " Lives of the Irish Saints," vol.
ii., at Fcbruarv 4th, Art. v., pp. 322 to
336.
-5 See Kev. Wilham R 'e\-es' " Lccles-
iaslical Antiquities of Down, Connor,
and Dromore," Appendix, p. 139.
-'^ See ibid, p. 141.
-'' See AmiAlA ULa-oIi, etlited by
Very Rev. B. MacCarlhy, D.D., \(il. li.,
pp. 8S, .S9.
2" See ^\mu\l.\ ULat)1i, by \'ery Kev.
B. M.ieC.irlhy, H.D., vol. ii., pp. 92, q^.
-•' Sei.' l>i. O'DoiKAau's "Annals of
the ]'"our I\laslers," \u!. u.,p p. i.ooo,
l.oui.
^" See .A»inAl.\ t1l.\x)li, Rev. Dr. ]\Iac-
Carthy's edition, vol. ii., pp. qS, 99.
^t Isow Bisterlin, near Inistiogue, in
the l>ar(jny of Ida, and County of Ivil-
kenny.
=i- See Dr. 0'r>onovau's " Annals of
the Fijur Masters," vol. li., pp. 1006,
1007, and n. (l).
^■•' Sec '• .miiiaIa t1lAT>li," Ivev. Dr.
MacCarthy's edition, vol. li., pp. 100,
loi.
'•>* See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of
the Four Masters," vol. li., pp. i,uo8,
1,009.
-'■■ See William M. Hennessy's
•" Chruuicum Scotorum," pp. 326, 327.
sii See ^muiaIa IIIat)!), echtion of Rev.
Dr. M.hX' rthy, vul. ii., pp. ti"> to iii.
ANNALS OF THE TWELFTH CENTURY. 379
and glory, and tlie chief old hero of Lcinsfcr, died. 37 la ii27,3''' a vacancy
having occurred in St. Bni:id's nunnery at Kildare on the death of the
abbess, a quarrel arose between the Ui-Faelain and the Ui-Failghi in
the centre of Kildare, regarduig the succession of a nun to represent
either tribe. In this contest, Ceerball, son of Mac Faelain, and several
were slain. 39 However, this very same year, Diarmaid Mac Murchada
had his revenge ; for collecting the Lagenians, the people of Hy-Kinsellagh,
and the Scandinavians of Dublin, he marched against Conor O'Brian
and the Munstermen, with the people of Ossory and the Foreigners of
Port-Lairge, when the latter were defeated with great slaughter. Several
of the Ossorian chiefs fell in this battle. In the year 1133, Donnogh
O'Conor of Offalie was liilled by the Clamnahre people. This same
year also, King Turlough O'Conor spoiled portions of Leix and Ossory.40
In 1135, the " Annals of Clonmacnoisu "i' only repeat what (he
Chronicum Scotorum has at a.d. 1130, regarding ihe war between the
Lagenians and Ossorians.
Toirdealvach O'Conor, the tierce and cruel King of Connaught, was
recognised as supreme monarch of Ireland from the year 1136.4^ His
warlike })i-oclivities and vigourous proceedings maintained this ascendancy-
for the twenty years succeeding, and these were marked by continuous
disturbance. During his reign also the infamous Diarmada Mac
Murchadha, through treacherous and barbarous acts, contrived to sub-
jugate the chieftains of Lemster, by killing Dumhnall, Loi'd of Ui-Faelain,
royal heir to that principality, and :Murchadh Ca Tuathal. He also
blinded ^hnrcheartach Mac Gillamocholnuic, Lord of Feara-Cualann.
At the same time, no fewer than seventeen of the Leinster nobility,
with many others of interior rank, were either killed or bluuled by hiin.43
The people of Laeighis appear to have resibted the t\'rant's power.
This same war likewise Donnchadh 44 Ua Conchobhan' Fculghe was
killed by the Clann MaeJughra. 15 In a.d. 1141, an army was led by
Conchobar Ua Briain to" Ath-Chath, and the foreigners submitted to
him as their king. Some of his people died on their return from the
east, after having eaten the green corn at a certain place m Laeighis.
A i)redatory excursion was made by Diarmaid Mac Murcliada into
Laeighis ; and the people of Laeighis defeated him, after he had
carried off a great prey from them. In the ye:ir 1142, an army was
letl bv Toirdhealbhach Ua Conchobhair, King of Ireland, accompanied
b\' the men of IMeath, Breifne, and Lemster, to march into
xMuiibter ; but they returned without cows or hostages— save
^7 See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals m '-Sec Kodcrick O'Fhilurly's " Ogy-
tlic Lour Mahtcr.s," voL ii., pp. i.oks, -ia," I'ars. 111., cap. xciv., p. 439.
J (j,y_ I- Sl-c Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals ot
'j»See AnriAlA ULa-oIi, by 1\<-V. Dr. tlif Four iMastcr.-,," vol. 11., i)p. 1064,
MacCarthy. vol. ii., pp. 116, 117. 1,005.
^'■> See William M. Henncssv's" Chroni- " Lk- is called son til Doll CraiblUe
cum Scotorniu," pp. 334, 335- ''"- ^'iiitl Man ot I'idh C.aibhle, a
<o See the " Annals o£ Clonmacnoise," tanious wood aloni,' the l-Liver Liyile, ni
by the Rev. Denis Murphy, S.J. , [i. 192. the parish ol Cloonsast, barouy ot
'liie year loUovviug this raid is apparently Cnulcbtown and Kinj^'s County^ See
repeated with a statement lluU he Dr. O'Donovan's leAbhAH tiA ^,Ce.inc,
burned " som corncs in the countrycs or Book ot Ivi-hls," p. 214, n. (o).
of Lease and Ossery "—;/';</., p. 19^ '^ See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of
*i See the edition ol Rev. Deius the L^our I\Listers," vol. n.. pp. 1064,
Murphy, S.J., p. 194- ^^'^5. ^i"*^ "■ i'ri)-
38o
HISTORY OF THE OUEEN S COUNTY.
f;nlv tlic liosta,c;('S (_)f Leinster — alter luix'ini; traversed Osrai,c;lic
and Laei;_;liis, and destroyed some of their corn. In the year 1146.1^
Ciillaiiatriek, son of Donnchadh Ua (iillapadraii;, Kini^^ of Osraighe,
was slain by tlie sons of CiMiglialacli Ua Brenain, in Cill-Cliainigli. In
the year 1140, Laeighseacli I'a >h)rdlia,47 Lord of Lacighis and tlie
Comaims, died after penance, i"^ lie was tlic son of xA.imirgin, son to
Fealan. The wife of this chief, a danghter ol I'a Ceallaighc, died a.d.
1152.49
King Mnrtagh 0'I>rian of ^funster and his forces invaded Ossory in
1153, and we are told that they wasted and spoiled it withont respect
of church or chapel. v» This same year, he compelled Dermot jMcMiirrogh
to give him hostages. 5^ In the year 115J, Niall I'a Mordha, hord of
Lacighis, who had pre\-iously been taken jnisoner by tlie infam(,)us
Diarmaid Mac Murchadha, was released from his fetters. But, notwith-
standing the guarantee of the laity and clergy obtained for him, the un-
princijded Mac IMurrogh blinded his unfortunate cai^ti\'e.^- Li 113^),
ilied Toirdhellnich or Turlough O'Conor, snrnamed the tireat, ^Monarch
of Ireland, aiul he was buried m Clonmacnoise, bijide the altar of Teniplr-
Ciarain..''.i
In the \-ear 1156 54 or 1157, an army was led by Muircheartach,sonof
Niall Ua Lochlainn, accompanied by the peo])le of the North of Ireland,
into Leinster ; and the King of Leinster, Diarmaid j\|ac^Iurchadha,
Ljave him hostages, while in return he was allowed to rule over that
j)rincipahty. The Cinel-Eogain and the Oirgialla also went to the Plain
of Derrymore in (Issory, whrre its chiefs made submission to Ua Loch-
lainn. The people of Lacighis. Ui-Failghe, and of the half of Osraighe,
then lied into Connaught..^5 In a.d. 115S, an armv was led by Kuaidhri
Lki Conchobhair as far as Leith.ghlinn, arid he took hostages of Osraighe
and Lacighis : and he fettered ?ilacraith Ua Mordlia, Lord of Lacighis. 5^
Soon after this period weru maturnig those events, which led to
*'^ See William M. Ilcnnessy's " Chrmii-
cum Scotornm," p[). VI4, 34?-
*' In Iuv_;lisli, Lewis O'More. Iliis
irime Lewis is still a fa\'ouritc one
unong the families cjf O'iMore or ^Mdore
m the Queen's Cnunt\-.
'*^ See Dr. O'Dunuvan's " Aniuils of
the Four ^Masters," \'iil. ii., p. 108S,
1089.
^'-^ See ibid., pp. 1104, 1105.
■^o See the " .Vnna'.s of Clonmacnoise,"
by tlic Rev. Denis Murphy, S.J., p. 201.
•'1 See iliid., ]■). 202.
5- See Dr. O'Donovan's " Ainuils of
the Four JNIasters," vol. ii., pp. iiC),
1 107.
^^ See Miss Margaret Stokes', " Chris-
tian Inscriptions in tlie Irish Language,"
vol. i., p. 79 and n. (c).
^'' According to AutuvLa IUatjIi, edited
by Very Kev. Dr. MacCarthy, vol. li.,
]>p. 1 28, 129.
^5 See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annab oj
the Four Masters," vol. ii., pp. 1124,
1125.
^^ See ibid., pp. 11 30, 11 si.
5^ He is named Maurice Regan.
'^ It has the fdlluwing introductory
lines, in the old Xiirinan b^nucli : —
" i'arso'/n di'm.mde L.dinni-r
L'moi conta de sini lli.itorie
Dunt far ici la ^leinnne,
Morice Regan int eelui
louche a buche par la alui
Ri cest gest endita
Lestorie de hii me nio-,li-a
Jeil Morice iret Latinner
.\l rei re jMurcher
Ici lirrai del Bacheller
Del rei Dermond, vous voil conter."
The foregoing has thus been put into
Englisli l)y Su" George Carew : —
" At his own desire thi; Interpreter
I'o me related his History.
Which I ill-re commit to Memory
Maurice Regan was the man,
Who Face to Face indited to me
lliese actions of the King,
And of himself shewed me this llist(jry.
This Maurice was Interpreter
To the King, King iMurcher.
These thiIl^s this I3atchellor
Of King 1 )ernii id read to me ;
This is his storv."
ANXALS OF THE TWnLrill CKNTURV. 3S1
the Ani^lo-Norman Invasion of Ireland, and the territories of Leix and
Ossory were destined to suffer also, from the troubles which ensued. The
servant and interpreter 57 of Dermod MacMurrough, King of Leinster, pre-
pared a composition, afterwards put into French metre .s^ by one of his
acquaintance, and th.is well-known Norman jioem, describing the Conquest
of Ireland, declares " O Mortha le sire de Leys " to have l)een Io^mI to his
sire, or senior, Dermot MacMurrough, whilr the " Mac Donchad seigneur
de Osserie." or King of Ossory, was a most determined and formidable
enemy to the King of Leinster. With hmi was associated " Mac Kelan
roi de Ohelan." Both of these were rebels to JNIacMurchad's authority.
This same \-ear Hugh O'Dcmpsey, Prince of Clanmaliere, died. 39
In iif)0. Melaghlin MacMurrougli, King of Meatli, took hostages
fri)iu Olialy to ensure its subjection to lum.'J" Domhnall 111.. King of
Ossory succeeded his father as dynast in the yeai" 1162.'^^ He was the
son ol Donnchadh, the fourth of the name, who had been King of Osraighe.
This Mac Doncliad, also called Donald, as likewise Donall Ramhar, or
tlie Fat, had a quarrel with O'More a little before that period, when the
Anglo-Norman Invaders had landed in Wexford. Having engaged some
of the newly-arrivcd warriors, ]\Iac Donchad invaded Leix, which he
overran for four cku's. These ravage's were only arrested by O'More's
submission. This chieftain, however, to be revenged, presently applied
t(j Dermot for ])rotection, cdthough he had been obliged 1X) give hostages
to the King ol Ossory before his dei)arture. Accordingly, the King of
Leinster marched thither, with his Anglo-Norman allies. Their united
bands chased the King of Ossory away. Then, by way of precaution,
hostages were taken from the " sire de Leys," whose lidelit3'Mac Morrough
ai)peai's to have doubted. In iiOj,'^- Cerball Ua {raic Mac) Gilla-
Patraic, King of the South of Ossory, died. In 11O4 died Donnogh
IMcGillepatrick !\IcDonnogli. King of Ossory. ^3 Tins same 3'ear, also, when
Robert Ficzsteplien landed in Ireland, with twenty English Knights,
and fifty Welsh archers, and a great army, l)esides those Leinstermeii
that joined them, he preyed and spoiled the territory of Ossory, and gave
the inhabitants a great overthrow at Slieve Margie. ^4 In the year 1166
we read, that Domhnall Mac Gillapliadrig, Lord of Osraighe, was slain
by the people of Laeighis Ui IMordha, i.e. by the O'JMores of Leix. ^5 This
entry occurs the jnevious vear in the " Annals oi Ulster," '■''' in which
it is said. Ih.at the same King oi Northern (.):^sory and Concliobar La
I'^roighte, King of Cenn-caille, and Paitiii Ua Aetlha, the candle of all
s'-* See the " Annals of CloniiKicnoise," ITe reigned but three year-." — John
edited by Rev. Denis JNiur()hy, S.J., llogan's " Ivillcenny ; the aneient City
p. 203. i>l Ossory, the Seal ot its Kings, the See
"" Sec the " Annals t)l Clonniacnoise," ol its f-.ishops, and the Site of its
edited by the Kev. Denis Mur[)hy, S.j., Cathedral." I-'arl n. Tiie Rise and Fall
p. 205. ol the Clann Mac Ciillaphadraig iu
'■■■See John Hogan's "Kilkenny," Osraighe, p. loi. Kilkenny, 1SS4,
iN:e., ]>. 1 01. tivn.
'■- See AtiiiAlA lilAX)h, edited by \'er\- '■" Edition ol Kev. Dr. ■MaeCarlhy,
Rev. Dr. ^NlacCarlhy, vol. 11., pp. vol. ii., pp. i.|'>, 1447.
14J, 14 ^ ''^ rills is set lorlh iu the " Annals of
'"^ See the " .\iinals ot Clonmaenoise," Boyle."
edited by the Rev. Denis ]Murnhy, S.J., "^ See .Annoil^ uLatjIi, edited by Rev.
p. 206. I^r. I\IacCarth\-, vol. ii., jip. 158, 159.
'■* See ibid., pp. ::o6, 207. "'■' See Dr. U'Donovan's " Annals of
''3 " This cineltain is olteii surname<l the Four IMasler^," vol. ii., pp. 1180.
Rlagh Laeighis, i.e. oi the Plain of Keix. 1181.
^.8:
HISTORY OF THE Qc'EEN's C(DUNTV
Ui-Ceinnselaigh, were killed by Mac Craitli Ua Mordhai, and bv the
Laighsi for evil caiiscs This same year 1166, Ruaidhn Ua Conchobair
with Diarmait Ua Mael-Schechlainn and Tighernau Ua Riiairc, came into
Leinster, Ossory, and Munster, wlicn tlie Kings of Mn-h's Half pro-
claimed him their Arch-king/'? ' ^
In ii68,6S Ruaidhn Ua Concobuir led a hosting to Athlone where
he was met by Mac Gilla-Patraic, King of Ossory, who on that occasion
gave him four hostages. We read, that Petrns Ua Mordha, lilishon of
Uuain-fcarta-Brenamn, who, at hrst, had been a pious monk, was
drowned in the Shannon, on the 27th December, a.d. 1171.69 He belonged
to the family of Leix, and he is called a man of authority in the " Annals
of Loch Ce 70 In 1171,71 Domnall Ua Focarta, King of SoullK^rn Ely,
was killed by the Ossorians. ^
Notxvithstanding the apparent hdelity of O'More to the An-lo-Normans
and^ to Dermod MacMurrough, his territory was invaded and conferred
by btrongbow upon a comrade m arms, named Geoftrey de Constantine 7 2
lo lum Kelben and Rathei Marthi were granted.73 The first ol these
local denominations represents Kilberry, on the River Barrow a lew
miles above Athy, and m the present county of Kildare. By the second
the rath of " O'Morthe," as that chieftain's principal fortress, or residence'
is called, musf be sought for m the modern denomination of Rathmore'
And there is such a phice, not far from Dunamase ; \shile it seems to
have derived its etymon either from the wry extensive circular en-
trenchment, yet visible, and shaded all over with aged hawthorns or
from the family name ol the ancient Dynasts of Leixy. Kilbixie 74
however, as Kilberry is found incorrectly wiillen, is thought to haVe
been elsewhere located, according to the snpp'usition of Hanis • 75 and
a charter from Walter de Lacy to Geoffrey d<; Constantine is cited to
prove that these lands were in Meath.70 However, this statement is
quite erroneous. We learn that Leix, the land of Geoffrey de Constantine 77
had been assigned by Henry 1L7S It was granted to pay feudal suit and
service at Wexford, and as a part of the lordship of Leinster. Notwith-
standing, the grantee's descendants lost possession of that territory
alter a brief tenure. Hugh de Lacy, who was aj)j)ointed to govern Ireland'
l.niilt a castle at Tah-melis,79 or Thaghe Meehoe lor Me3-L-'r Fitz-Henry to
htec
14-1, 145-
1 l)y W. M. Iletmessy, vol, i., •"- See Dr. U'Donovan's " Annal^^
of
tlic l'"our Masters," vol. in., pp. oj Uj 0 ;
■ bee Aiin.\lA UlATih, edited by Rev. and n (x.) ibid
Dr. MacCarthy, vol. ii., i^p. 16S, 169. '^ Sac ''The Miscellany of th-- Irisli
^- lie was one of the magnates of Archaeoloj^ical S>.Lietv " vnl. 1 p --:
Ireland in the fifth year of Henry Til. quotinR liovetkn ■ i- - •
r^ee Wdliani Lynch's "View ol the "« His rei^n -lates from Simda,-
Lcgal Institutions, Honorary Hereditary December iQih, 1154, to his death on
Oi.ices, and Feudal Baronies established the 6th July, 1189. See Sir Harris
m Ireland during the reigu of Henry H., Nicholas' '• Uutlines of History" np
chap. X., pp. 2S9, 297. (^S. 300.
I'/Y ^^f Anylo-Norman poem states. ■'■' IVobably Timahoe in the Oueen's
■Mn the year 119J, the Castle of County is here meant
Kilbixy in Meath, was erected. This «Mt is jx.ssible, this may stand for
place alterwards became a town of very Omey, a district west of the Barrow
considerable importance. See Sir Henry betwei:n Athy and Carlow. See
1 lers Lhronographical Description of " Calendar of the Carew Manuscripts,
.'Vestmeath preserved in the Archiepiscopal Library
■'See Hibernica, a Fragment of the at Lambeth," edited by J. S. Brewer.
History ol Ireland, by Maurice Regan, M.A., and William Bullen, Esq. Tfie
n. (F.), p. 4J. Cook uf Hov/th, p. yd.
ANNALS OF THE TWELTH CENTURY. 3S3
whom his niece was married; another at Obovry.^'^ orObeye for Robert de
Bygaz: a third at tlie Barrow River, antl a fourth at Norrach.^' Rut
among the rest, it is said, hv lortiiii'd an aneient castle called
Donemavvs.''^- This is known to have Ijecn in J, rase, charactc^-ised as a
woody and a boggy district.''^
After 117.^, Meiller Fitx-Henri changed Kildare for Lease, in order to
subdae the Omoordha by force ; for Harvey could not effect this object, as
they were little disposed for peace. '"^4 Soon after the Anglo-Norman
Invasion, the adventurous colonists came in great numbers, and havmg
established themselves in Dublin, Wexford, and Waterford, they over-
powered the natives of Leinster and ]\Iunster in various districts. Tliey
took possession of many fertile plains, where strong castles were erected,
and they drove the aborigines into waste or remote places. During that
time, the Clan O'j^ioore and their adherents seem to have been chiefly
confined to the woods,**^5 to the skirts of Sliabhbloom,'^^ and probably
to some villages and kinds, where they were allowed to settle, so long as
they observed neutrality, or rendered services to the invaders. Here
they were mostly employed in tillage, or in the i)ursuit of a pastoral
life ; while some of the most expert were engaged ni handicraft employ-
ments. The clergy an.d religious apjiear to iiave discharged their sacred
functions without hindrance or molestation. ^7 lu 1193,^^ the death
of Cnbrogam Ua Diumasaigh (O'Dempsey) chief of Clann-Maihghra
(Clanmalire), and for a long time King of Ui-Failghe, took ]:)lace.
One of the first entries in the Irish Annals rcspectmg the (J'Mores,
and subsequent to the Anglo-Norman Invasion, is at a.d. ikjO. At this
date, we read, that ]\Iahon, or Mathghamhain, tlie son of Conor or Con-
chobhar RIaenmhaighe or Moinmoy, Roydamna ^'^ of Connaught, v/as
slain by Domhnall or Donnell O'Mordha, and the men of Lei.x, who
attempted to prevent liim from bearing off the spoil which he had taken
from the English. This act was jierpetrated by a mercenary of the
Laighis. But O'More was killed by Cathal Carrach O'Connor, m revenge
for his brotlier Rlahon's death. '^o Donnell O'More was then seigneur among
the tribes of Lei.x. He is declared to have resisted in defence, and to have
*"' Prdbably Narraglimore, in the pre- " The people of Yellow Wood," a])plie'l
r^ent County of KiKlari'. to a sept of Leix, by O'llnidhrin ; but
''-Tins inuloubtetlly nn\.ns Diina- his learned etlitor, Dr. O'Donnvan. luid
niase. not been able to deternnne its exact
•''■' Sec a cnrions little work which situation,
has been pubhshed, and this Elzeiverian ''^ .Mr. Herbert F. Ilorc cuiijrel lui.-.
edition is intituled, " Respublica sivc that these monntainecrs had been called
Status Regni Scotiic et Hiberuice." " The Claudebuoy."
Divcrsorum anthorum, pp. 167, 168. "'See " Tlie Topographical Poems of
Lugd. Bat. A"CL0i-3CX>:vi[. Cum John O'f^ubha^ain and t'.ioUa n.a naoinh
Privilegio, 24 mo. The uilormation in OT Inidhrm." Edited l)y John O'lnmcvan
this tract is usually from Camden and LI..D., M IM.A., pp. S(., ^;, and n.
Speed. (4-5). P '"■■ "''•^- '
8* See Thady Dowling's " xVnnals," "^^"Atcordmg to the " Annals of Loch
p. 13. This is differently expressed in Ce'."
the Book of Howth. See " Calendar of ^^This word Koydannta. in Irisli
the Carew Manuscripts, preserved in tlr, nu■j^K^nln<^, signifies in Latin uia/crios,
Archiepiscopal Library at Lambeth," /.< . of a king. Sucii term is applied to
edited by J. S. Brewer, M..\.., and t!ie sons of a king. .\ prince is the
William Bullen, Esq., p. 9S. London : modern acceptation of the word.
1S71, 8vo. ''"See "Annals of Loch Cc." Edited
^5 In tlio commencement of the by W. M. Mennessy, vol. 1., pp. 196,
lifleeiitli century, wc find as an etymon, ly/.
534
HISTORY OF THE QUEEN S COUNTY.
killed, as a manifestation of loyalty to the An^^lo-Nornians, that Trisl;
chief. Thus, when Mahon was hearing off spoils, taken from English
people, the "Annals of Kilronan"''i state, that he was slain by an
archer of Donnell O'More's people, and that Donncll O'Morc fell in the
same day by the hand of Cathal Carragh, in revenge of his brother.
The " Annals of Bovlc " refer this incident to the \'ear 1197,9- while
iMahoii's death is attributed to one of O'^More's archers.
CMAPTER VI.— Annals of the Thirteenth Century.
The alliance of Dermod MacMurrough, through the marriage of his
ckuighter Eva with Richard de Clare, surnanied Strongbow. Earl of
Pembroke,! brought the whole province of Leinstcr under Anglo-Xorman
domination ; and soon it was parcelled out among the leading nivaders,
so that during the whole of the thirteenth century, the original possessors
of the Queen's County, the O'Moores, the IMacGillapatricks, the O'Conors
Eailghe, etc., take no prominent position in our Annals, under that
suzerainty estal)lished over them. By the Lady Eva, Strongbow
k'it only one daughter Isabel, who married William Marechal, Ear!
ol Pembroke in 1198, at the age of fourteen, and as a 'consequence of
that marriage, he claimed the proprietorship of Leinster. The result
of this connection was the birth of hve daughters,- who married re-
s})ectively great barons of the period. I\Iaurice Eitzgerald.3 who had
})receded Strongbow in the invasion of Ireland in iiOg, obtained a grant of
the barony of Oflaly and the territory of Ollelan 111 the County of Kildare.4
in II 76. He had a son named Gerald. 3 who succeeded him, and sat
in the Irish Parliament as Ikiron Offaly. lie. died a.u. 1205. Raymond
i'ltzGerald, surnanied Le Gros,^ had alread}' seiAired large landed pos-
^1 In tliL'se we read at this year 1196 :
tUAcj-MiuMn nu'C ConcobAtn niAomiwM v;e
X)o nu\]ilj,.\-u Le |U']"|'enAch .1. Con.S'J^"-^"! ""O
iiiuniri|i "DoniiKMiL Ui niun\)A. 'Ooniiu\LL
ti,\ niein'iA yC- Tu) rvnriKi ip in ikmh ce"uiu\
iMi l.Aiiii CacaiL C.\ii|u\ii;.
■■'-It iis thus eiULiid, "a.u. myy:
nVvc^AniAiii iiiAC OoncubAin nu\enituMt;i
(U'lsits ah aliqiis sdi;!tti'.yio de iaviilia
bomriAitL ^ll niojnJA, ct in cadcirt Jioia
T)umnAtt tu\ tUotmA cccidit dc maun
CACAlt CAjin^ij;."
1 Also liiiowu as Kichard Filz-
Gislebert. His inarnaj^e took phicc in
1170, soon after liis arri\'al in irehind,
and when Waterford had been captured.
- " On this e.xtinction of the male
line of the Marechal family, the Lord-
ship of Lemster was jiartitioned as
follows, according to An^lo-Norraan
law, between Ansehne's live sisters,
Kin;:; Dermot MacMurrogh's great grand-
tkuighters, who married into the noblest
houses of England ; to Matilda, Catlier-
lach. or Carlow ; to Jeanne, the (A)unty
of Wexford ; to Isabella, Kdiceniiy ;
to Sibilla, Kildare ; and to Eva, Dnna-
inase, comprising the gn^iter jiart of
l.eix, subsecpiently called the Oiieen's
Cuuuty," — Jnhn T. Gilbert's " llistory
ot the X'iceruys of Ireland," chap, i^,
pp. 101, lOJ.
■' Descended from the noble familv of
the Gherardmi of Florence, of whom
some account may be seen in the
'■ Journal of the Roj-al Historical
a.nd Arch.Tological Association ol Ire-
la lul," vol. iv. Fourth Series, 1877, pp.
246 to J (,4.
■' Maurice i-ltzCerald, baron of Offaly,
was ancestor of the historic Geraldiiie
family in Irelaiul. An interesting
account of him and his clescendaius is
given in the Marquis of Kildare's
" Harls of Kildare an^l their Ancestors,"
two vols., Svo. Duiihn, 1858-1SO2.
^ Married to a <laughter of Hamon de
X'alognes, an Anglo-Norman ol Suholk,
allied to 'ihecjbald FitzGanltier, an-
cestor of the Orinond family,
•^ He was sou of William Fitzgerald,
and a iu'[>he\s' to Maurice idtzgerald.
ANNALS OF THE THIRTEENTH CENTURY. 385
srssions in Wexford. On the deatli of Stroiigl)o\v in 1176, he niarch.ed
from Limerick to Dubhn, where the King's council chose him as successor."
In ii()i). when John succeeded to the" crown of ]<:ngland, that antl Ins
lordship of Ireland centred in his jicrson ; and lie entrusted the vice-
royalty of the latter Icingdom to ]\Ieiller FitzHenry,^ who had received
from Strongbow a grant of Kildare and adjoining lands. This grant
he subsequently exchanged for Leix, where a strong castle was erected
lor him by Hugh de Lasci.9 We are told that 1)\- desire of (icofircy de
Costentin, the land of Leis and Houkreuthenan i" were granted by King
John to lAIeyler Fitz-Henry, in exchange for a cantred m Coniiaught,
called Tirieghrachbothe.il He was to hold of the King m lee, by the
service of live knights. This grant i- is dated Xovember bth, a.d. 1200,13
and it is said to have been accepted by that vigourous commander, to
repress the native septs of Leix, who were formidable foes, and on the
l)orders or marches of the Anglo-Norman settlements. ^4
Meantime other brave and adventurous Anglo-Norman nobles were
engaged i)ursuing their career of ambition and confiscation in different
parts of Ireland ; sometnnes waging war with the native chiefs, some-
times taking advantage of their mutual dissensions, and profiting by
the occasions that continually offered for rapine and conquest. The
strong government already established in Dubhn, and the security of that
position, formed a sure basis for enterprises which at worst could result
only in partial failures against the disunited and frequently warring
septs. The clashing interests of the invaders led to broils of frequent
occurrence. Thus a great feud broke out, which developed into
a war,i5 between Meyler and Geoffrey De Marisco i^ and William
jMareschal. Karl of Pembroke, in i207,'7 during which both Leinster and
3Iunster suffered severely. Meyler and Hugh De Lacv had also a
contention in Meath, where siege was laid against the strong castle of
Ardnurcher.iS The castle of Athronny 19 in Lease was spoiled by
Moriertagh ]kIcBryen an He3^re and the sons of O'Conor of Connaugh't
in A.D. i_'o7; many of its inhabitants were slain, and after taking away
all the cows, sheep, harnesses and other things therein, the town was
burned.-" During the first encroachments of the Anijlo-Nonnan
colonists, it may be supjiosed, many of the old septs of Leix
took into cultivation and settlement those almost inaccssil)le heights
■'See AUred Webb's " Compeniliuin tlu' Viceroys oi Ireland," ciiap. ii., pp.
of Irish Biography," p. iSu. 58, 59.
« lie was so named because his lather i'' Tliis is related in the " Annals ot
had been the illcLjitimate sou ot Henry Clonmacnui-.e," translated by Ma,L;eo.^-
I., King ol Kni^laud. hcgan, and edited by Rev. Denis Ahir[)hy,
" Uncle to his vvife^ S.J., p. 221.
1" This locality has not been identified. i** Also called Geffry De' JManscis by
'1 PTnknown by this name. English \\ nters. See Meredith Hanincr's
1- This deed is witnessed by S. Bishop " Chronicle ot Ireland," pp. 343 et seq
of Bath, Godfrey Fitz f'eter, Karl of 3SJ to 3«5. Dublin edition ot 1809,
Essex, Hugh Bardolf. Ilamon de 410.
Valoignes, Geollrey de Maiisco. Leil- ''See Dr. O'J )c>novaii's " Ann.ds of
Imry. Chart., 2 John. in. 20. the hour ^Masters," vol. iii., pp. 154, MS-
'•' Sec " Calendar of Documents re- 1^ In Westmealh.
lating to Ireland, preserved ui bkr i'-' By Rev. Denis Muriiliy, this is
Majesty's Public Record Office, London, identilied with the present Ballyroan,
1171-125 I. I'Zdited by H. S. Sweetman four miles south of Maryborough.
B..\., Trin. Coll. Dublin, M.R.I. A. 20 y|^^> x\-^^ •• .\nuals of Clonmacnoise,"
Num. 137, p. 22. edited by Rev. Denis Murphy, S.J.,
^* See Joiin T. Gilbert's " History of p. 222,; and n. (4).
2 C
3Sb
HISTORY OF THE OUEEN's COUNTY.
of Slievemars;y, wliich were then gradually reclaimed from a state of
comparative waste. The entire province of Leinster was granted by
King John, in the nintli year of his reign,-' to William Mareschal or
Marshal,'- Earl of Pembroke. He had a son, William Marshall, who
sircceeded him in the title, and who married Alienor or Elenor, sister to
King Henry HI. 2^ This Wihiam appears to have died about or a little
before the month of April, 1231.24 When his brother Richard came
from Ireland to I'mi^dand in 1232, the King conferred with him regard-
ing a dower to I'^lenor in Ireland, and among other possessions to be
assigned her was the new \ill of ]^cys.-3 Measures were taken, that
the countess should obtain her right dower, and lands of reasonable
extent.
In 1212 we read in the " Annals of Clonmacnoise," 26 that Murtagh
O'Bryan, DoruK'H McDonnell O'^h'Iaglilen, Cowk'n O'Dempsye and
Donnell Clanna'rh McGille])atrick gave an overthrow to Cormack McArt
O'Melaghlin, and that on this occasion Gihechrist McMurrogh McCoghlan
and Donslevic McConnor McCoghlan with many others were killed.
In 12 13 27 Finn O'Dempsy and his brother Donogh were treacherously
taken by Gefiry March and conveyed to Dublin. There he was bound
to a horse's tail, dragged through all the streets, and afterwards hanged.
In 1215,28 the people of Offalv killed Morough 0'Mollo\', i>rince of Fercall.
When the five so u'^ of the Elder Willini'ii ^fareschal died without
issue, 2y the ]nanci[jahty of Leinster devolved on their sisters liy Anglo-
Norman tenure. That nobleman had five daughters, who were co -heiresses,
and each inherited severally the lordslho of a coimty as a dowry, except-
ing Kva, who was the eldest daughter, according to some writers, 3'^
though others state she was the youngest. Syini, the fourth daughter,
is said to have married Thomas, Earl of Derby, and to have had the
lordship of Kildare for her inheritance. 3' Eva married William D '
Braos,32 or Braose, lord of Brecknock, and it is said they inhabited
Dunamase,33 supposed to have been the Dunum of Ptolemy, 34 in remote
times. It is stated that it had l)een erected into a fortress by Laighseach
O'More, about the beginning of the third century, and it is thought to
2^ A.D. 120S.
-■-= He is called ^JnxfieM l>v Hanmer,
who gives his jiedigree m the " Clironicl ;
of Ireland," pp-343. 344- Dul)lui
edition of 1809, 4 to.
-■^ See " Calendar of Documents re-
lating to Irelantl," 1171-IJ51. Edited
by H. S. Sweetnian, 13. A., Num. 1886,
pp. 280, 281.
. -* See ibid., Num. 1S72, p. 278.
25 This seems to mean the Castle of
Lea, and an Enj^lish settlement around
it on the banks of the River Barrow.
See ibid.. Num. 1950, p. .;■ ;.
2'"' See Rev. Denis Murpiiy's edition,
pp. 225, 226.
27 See ibid., ]">. 227.
28 See ibid., p. 2J>.
2y According to HaniU'/r, "He !iad
five sonnes and live tlau'^hters, ins
sonnes all succeeded him in the Llarldome
of Pembroke, and office <jt Marshalsie,
together with the Principality of Leinster
and dyed all without issue." — " Chron-
icle of Ireland," )). 344.
•'" Dr. Meredith Hanmer makes her
the first daughter of William, Earl
Alarshall.
^1 Her daughter by this Earl was
married to William de Vesey, who
became possessed of the Kildare estate
as a palatine.
■'2 ilis name is foimd attached as
One of the witnesses to the Royal
Charter of King Henry XL, granted to
the city of Duljlin, 1171-1172. Se>'
Joiin T. Gilbert's " Calendar of ancien
Records of Dublin," vol. i., p. i. Dn.Miii,
1889, Roy. 8vo.
^^ It has been .Angliciseil " the Fni'l
of the i^laiii," and this epithet well
applies to the district lying between it
and the Sheve Bloom Mountains,
towards the west.
2* The geographer
^^ See an interesting engraving of the
ANNALS OF THE THIRTEENTH CENTURY. 387
have been the patrimonial residence of the chiefs of Lcix to the period
of the An.c^lo-Norman Invasion. WilHam De Braose erected Dunaniase
into a manor, and there cstabhshed a court-baron, (o which tenants
should resort, for the purpose of rendering suit and service. 35 Eva
became entitled to the manor of Dunamase and its d( priideiicies, with
certain other lands, situated in the County of Kildan;. Ihr heiress
Maud i'' married Lord Mortimer.
In 1225,3 Moylemorey O'Connor of Offaly was killed at Rossglassie,
now Monastrevan, l\y Cowlen O'Dempsy. In the year 1226, 3-"^ or 1227,
(iilla-Colum O'Mulloy was slain by 0'More,39 and Melaghhn O'Conor
Faly was slain by Cuilen O'Dempsey. With the })articu]ars of their
deaths, however, we are unacquainted. In the year 1227, Dionysius or
Denis Ua Mordha- -probably one of the Leixian O'Mores — and Ihshop
of Elphin took the cross as a crusader ; his object ai)})arently not bein;;
to go in person to the Holy Land, but to gain an indulgence, l)'y attachin;;
himself to some religious sodality, and by contributing to the Crusade. -v''
This Denis or Dionvsius O'Mordha appears to have been consecrated
bishop of Elphin after the death of Denis O'Mulkyran, who departed
A.D. 1224.41 IJishop O'Mordha resigned the See in 1229. He embraced
a religious life to apply more sedulously to devotion, in Trinity Island,
Lough Key,-!- where he died on the xviii of the kalends of January—-
corresponding with December 15th, a.d. 12 ]i.43 -
At the year 1249, the " Annals of Clonmacnoise " have the following
notice : '' Donnagh mc Anmchey mc Donnogh mc GiJlcpatrick the best
head of a company that ever descended of Ossery of thr race of Colman
mc Patrick Keigh or Scanlan mc Kinfoyle Donne, Ixjth for manhood,
valour and bounty, was killed by the Englislnnen of the forgie as lio
deserved of the English divers times before, fc)r he killt-d, preyetl and
burnt many an Englishman before that day. Donnongh was (he thud
Ireishman that warred against the Englishmen after tlicu'e lirst looting
in this land, vidzl. Connor O'Melaghlin, Connor of the Castle mc Coghlan
a.nd this Donnogh mc Anmchy, for the sone of Annichyi? in his owiie
[jersone did use to goe to take vew of the Englishmen's towns and fforles
m the Habbitt of a poore man, Car])enter, Turner or other Tradsman." ii
" In the year 1250 Mac Canewei, a son of Belial!, was killed in Leix."is
In the year 1260, H' William de Vesey is said to have built the castle
of Lea, on the banks of the River Barrow. This fortalice was intended
Barbican of Dunamase, in " The IrisVi the Four ^Masters," vol. iii., pp. 252,
Pt'uny Magazine," voh i., No. 3, with an 253, anil n. (m.), [i]). J58, j>9.
article accompanying it, and written by ^^ See " Annals (jf t.och Ce." JCdited
John D'Alton, pp. 17, 18. by \V. M. Hennessy, .Al.R.I.A., voL 1.,
■"' See John T. Gill.iert's " History jip. 30S, 309.
of the Viceroys of Ireland," chap. iv. ^ ' See eihtion of Iv'V. Denis Murphv,
p. 136. S.J., p. 240.
■" See Rev. Denis Murphy's " Annals *^ See Jacobi C'.race, Kilkenniensis,
of Clonmacnoise," p. 231. " Annales Hil)erni;p," edited by Very
'■^^ See ibid., p. 232. Rev. Richard Butler, p\y. 34, 35. To
3^ See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of this account, I^embridgi.' adds, " sicut
the Four Masters," vol. iii., pp. 242, 243, bene meruit."
*" See Ann.\LAr iiLATjh, edited] by ^'' Accordmrr to a small Tract, intituled
Rev. Dr. MacCarthy, D.D., vol. ii., pp. " .\ most mteresting Historical Account
27.S to 2S7. of the Castle of Lea, Queen's County,
^1 See Harris' Ware, vol. i., " Bishops including some entertaining .Vntiquities
of Elphin," p. 628. of the Rock of Dunamase, the Castles
^2 See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of of Geashill, Maryborough, Carlow, etc.
3^'^ HISTORY OF THE OUEEX's COUNTY.
to secure his property from the claims of other daughters of Earl
Maresclial and their heirs, as also to protect it from the incursions of the
Irish. Its foundations \\ere laid in the marshes of Ince or Inch ; where-
fore it was called Port na Ince, or the castle of Ince, and from it the
present barony of Portnahinch is said to have derived its name. How-
ever, the English more generally denominated it Lea, Ley, or Leigh,
from having been erected on the frontiers of Leix. It consisted of a
quadrangiilar building of three storeys, flanked by round bastions.
The whole was surrounded by an outer ballium or court, and each
corner had a round bastion, flanking its curtains or sides. The
outer entrance was a gate or l)arb!can, defended by a portcifllis,
and flanked by rouutl bastions. In the rere of the castle was an inner
court, a tilt-yard, a tennis court, with otluT ]-)laces lor recreation and
con\-enieuce. In the outer court or lawn, the horses, cows, and other
cattle v.ere secured in times of disturbance or during the night. The
walls of the castle are S feet in thickness. There was a town m front of
the barbican or great entrance. Its inhabitants were chiefly farmers,
artisans, and labourers, appertaining to the castle and its domain. These
townspeople were trained to the use of arms, and they formed in case
of need the ward or garrison of the castle, while they acted under the
command of the governor or warden. In the year 1264, a war raged in
Ireland between the Geraldines 47 and Walter be Burgo, Earl of Ulster.
The latter seems to have prevailed in the west of Ireland, for he took all
the castles that Fitzgerald possessed in Connaught, burned his manors
and plundered his people.4S This involved the kingdom of Ireland in
great family dissensions, which brought it to a state bordering on utter
ruin ; and reprisals naturally followed, on the outbreak of hostilities.
During this year also ^Maurice Fitzgerald, son of Maurice, took Richard
de la Rokcley 49 — also called Richard de Rupella, or Capella — who was
Lord Justice of Ireland, John de Cogan,5o and Theobald Butler, prisoners
from the consecrated church of Castledermot m the county of Kildare.
He conflned them in the dungeons of Uunamase and Lea castles, 5i then
in possession of the Geraldines.
In the year 1265,5- Hugh O'Conor, King of Connaught, made his
first and regal prey upon the country of Oifalie, and thcre'burned many
houses and committed other outrages. Jealous of the encroachments
of the English, in 1284, the Irish attacked and destroyed the Castle of
Lea, on the River Barrow. 53 However, it was again repaired, and taken
possession of by De Vesci. At that time he was Lord Justice of Ireland.
The O'Dcmpsies and their followers, in that part of Olfaly known as
Glenmalire, claimed those lands of which they had been dispossessed ;
and accordingly, they rose in arms, A.u. ij'vf, when the Castle ot Lea
and a Description oi the Town of ^'^ The I'our Masters call him John
Portarlingtou, copied from an old Cioi^yan.
Manuscript in the Possession of a ■■' See Fratris Joannis Clyn's " Ann<djs
Gentlenuin of that Town," pp. 7, 8. HitKniu;e," p. S. Very Rcw Kichaid
MaryboroLiL^h, iSino, no date. Dean Tiulki-'s edition.
" Their liead at this time is called ^2 ^^x- Kl-v. Denis Murphy's " Annals
MacGerald, in the " Annals of Clon- of Chjnmacnoise," pp. 245, 246.
inacnoise," at .\.D. 1264. '^^ Fraths Joannis Clvn's " Annales
■*=^ See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of Hibernia;," p. 9. Edition of Very Ivcv.
the Four Masters," vol. in., pp. 394. 395. Dean Riciiard I5utler.
^'' l\o is thus named in the j\nnals of ^' See Jacobi Crace, Kilkenniensis,
John Clyn. " Annales Hibernue," edited bv Rev.
AXXALS OF THE THIRTKENTH CENTURY. 38c)
Nvas besicp;cd by Ihom. They succeeded in buniin,c; tlie town, and they
arc said to have destroyed the castle. 54 In 1285, Gerald FitziMorevshe
was taken by the Irishmen in Offale.5.s There is extant an allocate ^>^
to the Barons of the Conrt of Exchequer, Dirblin, to allow in the account
of John de Saundord, escheator of Ireland, for ,^oing with the Justiciary
of Ireland, Robert de Ufford, so far as the new \iir of Leyes, to resist the
Irishmen of Offalv, rebels against the Knig lidward I. He was attended
by 23 sutlers and 46 horses, for which service he was allowed 2gs. 11 M.,
remaining there two days ; also, for going with the said Justiciary to
the vill of Leys, with 38 sutlers, 40 horses, and 171 retainers, on
February gth, 1278-9, and on the three following days, to conquer the
said Irish. However, when the town and castle had been wrecked, bot'i
were soon afterwards repaired, and they came into possession of the
founder William de Vesey, Lord Justice of Ireland. Finding the mani-
tenance of his Irish estates too troublesome and expensive against the
attacks of the natives, and that they were likely to be litigated by the
heirs and successors of the Earl Mareschal's daughters, in the year 1204,
William de Vesey delivered them up into the hands of the King. The
latter devised and granted them to John Fitz-Thomas FitzGerald, Earl
of Kildarc, who, as a consequence of such grants, obtained the castle
of Lea and its a])purtenances. In it he was obliged to maintain a ward
or garrison for the King, and to act as lord of the IM^rsht.'S. ]\Ieantune,
a dispute arose between William de Vesey and John Fitz-Thomas.
They mutually accused each other of treason and mal-practices ; while
their case came to a hearing in the King's court. 57 However, the cause
proved to be so frivolous that it was dismissed. sS Wearied and dis-
gusted with the troubles m which he was involved, and wishing to go
abroad for the beneht of his health, after the surrender of his Irish estates,
De Vesey sought refuge in France, where he resided for some time.5y
In 1283, Lord Theobald Butler lost his horses and family in Ophaly,
where many of the English were killed. '^o This event is placed m the
" Annals of Clonmacnoise " ^^ at 1285, when McGerald Geffry Gcnnil
and Bermingham made up a great army and with the forces of i\Ieath,
marched to Oithaly. where they seized upon a prey of cows. Tlie inhabi-
tants sent to Carbry O'Melaghlen, King of ]\Ieath, Clann Cohnan and
the Irishry of Meath, to come and help them against their plunderers.
The Offalians took possession of the straits and jiassages of the country
to defend them. Under the leadership of Carbry O'iNIelaghlin, the
Irishrie of Meath and the men of Ofialy attacked the English army, and
Richard Hiitlcr, M.R.LA., jip. 40, 41, II." vol. i., book ii., cli.ip. ii., pp. 251,
anil n. (d.). It was taken on tJic morrow 25-'.
ol St. IJarnabas, June 12th, accortling ■"""' TIrtc is a curious nccouut (jf llie
to Pembriilj;c. This event is placed at dispute and of a duel helween William
12.S5, in the Book of Howth. "Calendar de Vesey, Eord Justiciary of Ireland,
of the Carew Manuscripts in the Archie- and John I'"itz-Thoinas, l-"arl of Kildare,
piscopal Library at Lambeth, p. 125. in Ilolinshed's " Chronicles," vol. \i.,
''^ See zbid. p. 241. London edition of iSorf.
58 This is dated September 13th, ^'-' See Grace's "Annals of Ireland,"
1284. See "Calendar of Documents edited by the Kev. Kichanl Butler,
relating to Ireland," 1252-12S4. Edited p. 43.
by H. S. Sweetman, B.A., Num. 2291, "^^^ See " Annales Breves Ilibernia?,"
p. 529. auctore Thaddxo I'owling, edited by
^'^ See an account of this transaction in Very Rev. Richard Butler, p. lO.
Rev. Thomas Leland's " History of *i See Rev. Denis Murphy's " Annals
Ireland from the Invasion of Henry of Clonmacnoise," pp. 255, 256.
3Q0 IirSTOKY OF TlIK QUEEN S COUNTY.
gave them a great overthrow, in which nimihers of tlie invaders were
slain. McGerald and Sir Adam Petit weie taki'n prisoners, with ahont
three score knights and freeholders. In the \ear 1204, l^icliard Earl
of Ulster was taken prisoner by John Fitz Thomas''- soon after the
feast of St. Nicholas (December 6th) and detained in Lega or Lea Castle
to the festival of Pope St. Gregory (March i2th)/'3 following, when he
was set" at liberty by the King's Parliament held in Kilkenny, and as a
penalty, John lost his possessions, Sligo and whatever else he had in
Connaught, as also the Castle of Kildare.64 [n the year 1297, ^^^^ Irish
of Slewmargy burned Leighlin.65
CHAPTER VII. — Annals of the Fourteenth Century,
1300 TO 1350.
The brief record of events, contained in our Irish annals, is for the most
part unsatisfactory and obscure, because unaccom])anied by a statement
of their causes and consequences. This is especially the case in the
centuries about which we are now treating. Yet, as in medieval times,
Leix, a great portion of Ossory, Clannmalirc and llyrRegan were the
denominations included within the Queen's CountN', wherever reference
is made to them, their chiefs and peo])le projierly belong to its history,
wliich it is desirable fully to give in annalistic and chronological order,
however meagre m detail and isolated in position the entry may appear.
And in this connection must also be placed the O'Conors, and their
territory of Offaly, although outside the bounds ; yet, the D'Dempsys of
Clannmalirc — if not the O'Dunnes of Hv-I\egan — owed fealty and
service to them. Besides the O'Mores, chii'fs of Eeix, were usually an
terms of friendship and alliance with them ; more particularly when
throwing off their submission to English domination, motives of mutual
interest and policy rmited their action in tlie local wars waged at that
]X'riod. The authoritv of the English deputies! sent over as rulers was
scarcely acknowledged beyond the confined limits of the English Pale,
and some of the Barons of English descent or birth had practically
asserted their separate independence, and conformed to Irish laws and
usages.
When the power of the Irish septs had increased, while the strength
of the colonists waned, the aborigines emerged and reassumed large
portions of their ancient territories. This they were the better able to
accomplish, as nearly all the great barons of Ireland and their retainers
attended King Edward I. in the invasion of Scotland, which took place
early in the fourteenth century. In 1303, the death of Garrett Fitzgerald,
'^^ On the Saturday before the Feast full enumeration of the Chief Gover-
of St. Lucie, Virgin, according tt) Friar iidius, or Lords Licntt-'uauts, Lorils
John Clyn's "Annals of Ireland," edited ChanceUors and Lords Treasurers of
by Very Rev. Kichard Butler, p. 10. Ireland during the several reigns of
•^^ According to L\'ml)ridge's Annals. English monarchs, from the Angln-
"* See Jacobi Criace, Kilkenniensis, Norman Invasion to a.d. 1745, ^vill
" Annales Ilibernui'," edited by \'ery lind it in Walter Harris' edition nl
Rev. Richard Butler, pp. 42, 43. Ware's works, vol. ii., " Antiquities
•'5 See ibicL, pp. 44, 45. of Ireland," cluip, xv., ]>[>. 102 to 116.
1 The reader, who desires to see a 2 ^^e Dr. OT)onuvan's " Annals of the
ANNALS OF THE FOURTEENTH CEXTURV, I -JOO TO I35O. J,')!
the eldest son of John Fitz-Thonias, Baron of Oftalw is irnirdecl.- In
i;,o5, Mortagh O'Conor of Ofiahe, MacUmorcx- his hrothrr, and Callagli
O'Conor, with twenty-nine of the chiefest of then faniilv, wwv treachei--
onsly killed by Pierce or Peter Bermingham within the Costlr of Carrick
Feorais, near Castle Carbury,3 County Kildare. This ma.^sai ic i> referred
to in the Remonstrance sent by the Irish Chieftains to Po])'' [ohn XXll.
It is stated, that 13crmingham invited these victuns to a l)an(|uei. whieli
in the spirit of unsuspecting hospitality they accei)ted. ar.'.l were set u))()n
unexpectedly when they arose ironi tal)le. ' Conijilaint ol l]:;s foul deed
was made to King Edward I., but no retlress wa'^ ever ubtainetl.
In 1307, Thomas lut/. Maurice,4 the Lortl ot C)f[;ili;;, built the castle
of Geashill ; and this was justly interpreted by the O'Conors a'^ a nunaee
which threatened their territorial possessions. In like manner the building
of the strong castle of I.ea was an mfringement on the ijilieriiaiiee of the
O'Dempsies. W'herelore, in 1307, the Irish chieltams and jieople of
Offaly rose in arms, and pulled down the Castle of deashill. 'rhe\- abo
burned the town of Lea, and laid siege to its castle. 5 However, dW
English force, commanded by John Fitz-Thomas Fit/gerald and his
son-indaw lidward Butler, appeared, and raised the siege.'' The F.arl of
Kildare then rebuilt the town, and repaired the castle. He abo erected
there a new church, to which was added a stee])le or tower lurnislied
with bells. John the son of Thomas, and Edmond Butler soon afterw.irds
removed the de]')redators,7 who had sacked the town and c;!-tle of l.ea.
To counteract the jealousies of his English nobU'S, and tu cpu'll the
jirevailing disorders of the period, Edward IL. sent over his la\-ourite
Piers de (laveston as his vice-gerent to Ireland, in 1 ;o.N.'^ He sailed from
rJristol with a large reinforcement ol men-at-aiiiis, ami kept great state
m Dublin. The hostile Irish septs soon engaged his soldiers with some
of the English colonists in scenes of actual warfare. Soon alter his arrival,
an Irish chief of the O'Dempseys had the hardihood to uicouuter Pieis
de Gaveston. However, CJ'Dempsey was signalK' defeated with his
forces.'^ He was slain on the field of battle. i^- lieside.-^ his Inutilities
against the Irish se]:)ts, Gaveston was oldigcd to contend with the
mutinous Anglo-Norman nobles. ^i In 1308, the coroner ol the county
of Kildare, being aged, was superseded. The reason assigned for this
Four IMasters," vol. iii., ]^^. 478, 479 ami
also Cox's " Hibcinia Anglicana," or the
llistory of Ireland, the conquest thereof
l)y the English to this present Time, p.
X7. London, 1689. Folio. This event
is yilaced at a.d., 1304.
■' A imi'tion ol its ruins yet reniains.
See the i<ev. Denis Murphy's " Annals
of Clonniacnoise," p. 260, and n. 3. And
Dr. MacCarthy's AthiaIa UIa-uIi or
Annals of I'lster, vol. ii., pj). 402, 403,
and n. 2.
' See " The Earls of Kildare and their
Ancestors from 1057 to 1773," by the
Marcjuis of Kildare, p. 20. In this year
also tlied Edward I., Kmg of England
having reigned thirty-four years, si'vcn
months, and twenty-one days, having
comjili>tcd the sixty-eight year of Ins
age, with twenty days in addition.
Si'i- l\l;iHhew of Westminster's " i'dores
llistoriarum." ;
['■ -1<'-
'' See " Ann,
lI -, HrrVL
•s lldierni.e."
anctore Thadd.i
■o noulm ■
, ji. iS. Ver\-
Rev. Dean Rw]
!,ird Hull.
■ 's edition.
" See John
Uidge's
" I'crrage of
Ireland." vol.
cdlllnll.
r, 1'. 7S.
ArclKl, ill's
■ " the D.iok
" See (^ox's
Part i., p. 00.
of Huwlh
" lUl.rim,
." p. ■'■'O.
1 \iiehcana,"
■' See " Ann;!
lies l'.n-\- '
s llil)erni,e,"
anctore Tluidd.i
o l),,wlm
. p. IS
'" See K'cv. 1
)r. L.,1 !•!>!'•
" Ili-.torv of
Ireland, Irum th
e 1 nx'.i'^ion
.1 llrury 11.,"
vol. i., honk 11.,
i-h.ip. iii.
n . J ' ' ^ .
" See John '1
:'. C.ii; a-n'
" 1 lisiory of
the ViceroN-, wf
Irelanil,"
'hap. IV., ]i.
i-:9.
'- 'llu^ i> eve
Patent Rolls.
n slated 1
a llie i>rinted
'•* She was
wife
of Mortagh
392 HISTORY OF THE QUEEN S COUNTY.
dismissal is alleged to liave been his inability to execute his offtce, because
of the turbulent lK^ha\'i(~>iu- exlubited by Irish (.■neniies in I.eys.^- Bv
a patent, dated 1310. lulward IL. conunittcd to Icyssagh Ouiurthe th^-
custody of his ancestral lands, which then belon,m-d to Patrick dj
Rochfort, at Kildebrenyn, in Leys. In 1310 Joan, daughter to O'Conor
of Offalie, difd.i.'^ Sir lidnrond Le Botiller was appointed Viceroy, ia
131J, and ni that statijn he continued ruitil he was succeeded by Sir
Tht.'obald de Wn'don on December 31st, 131.^.1 1 Fhe Earl of Kildare had
a dispute with Richard de Burgo, Earl of Ulster, and war was waged
between them. The latter was taken prisoner, and confmed in one of
the round towers of Lea Castle. There he was ('ctaiucd, until tlie
meeting of an Irish Parliament in Kilkenny, A.n, 1311. liis case was
theii considered, and as it a]:ipearcd his ]m])risoniii(nt was owing to
private malice ratlu-r than from a regard to tlu: inii)lic weal, the Earl
of Kildare was ordered te) release him without ransom. The chieftains
of the O'Mores were then primarily obedient to the crown, and the
records bear testimony of the confidence reposed in tlK)se Celtic clans.
An epoch of great importance in Irish history opened when Donall
O'Neill andothernortherncliiefs, together withDe Bissetand the DeLacys,
resolved on offering the Kingdom of Ireland to Robert Bruce's bro__ther
Edward, the brave and anilntioas Earl of Carrick. He readily accepted
the prolerred Crown, King Robert ^promising to co-operatu in the project,
and accordingly in May, 1315, Edward Bruce landed on the Ulster coast,
near Carrickfergus, with se\'eral knights and an army numbering about
six thousand men.i5 He laid siege to the castle, while Donall O'Neill and
the Irish allies stormed Dundalk ; after a determined resistance Richard
de Burgh, Earl of Ulster, was also defeated, and Edward Bruce was
crowned ?,Ioaarch of Ireland, at Carrickfergus. During the invasion of
Ireland by Edward J3ruce, the O'Mores laid waste a 'part of f.eix, in
Leinster ; but they weTC defeated by Echaund Butler, Justiciary of
Ireland. Having killed a great number of theni, he brought back Soo
heads as a trophy of his \-ictory to Dublin. The Scottish invasion, by
the Bruces, and which created great commotion in Ireland from 1315 to
i;iS,i" had the effect of greatly weakening the Strongi)Ownian settle-
ment and i)ower in Leix, and to such an extent, that the English settlers
there were driven from their castles and lands. Among others Lord John
Bisset died in the New Town of Lexe and the bells of the church were
burned bv tlie Scots. '7 Thus it became an easy matter for the Leix and
Leinster chiefs and people to throw off their yoke, so long impatiently
borne, and to take rank as independent possessors. The English colonists
were then pressed on all sides. During that invasion, we read that
James Earl of Orinc»nd recei\'ed a gratvuty because he had bravely con-
tended with the O'Mores, O'Byrnes, O'Nolans, and MacMurroughs.
These various clans had taken up arms to esi>ouse the Bruce's cause. In
Mageot;!ie,L,'an, chieflain of KinnalL-at;!!. "' Sec the account of this Invasion, in
Sec Ivev. Deaib Mnrphy's " Anaals'of Kev. Dr. 'I'hunias l.elm.rs " History of
Clonmacnoise," p. 26''. heland, Iroin the Inv.ision oi 1 lemy II."
i-i See Cox's '■ llibernia An^Ucana," vol. i., tjook n., chai\ iii., pp. -:o3 to 27S.
Part I., pp. 92, QJ. 17 See '■ Calendar ol llie Carew
''■ The acconnt of Edward Bruce's Mannscripls, preserved m the Archi-
invasion of Ireland is most fnlly set episcopal Library at Lambeth, edited
forth in the Annal'? of Clonmaciioise. by J. S. Brewer and Win. Bullen, Esq.
See I^ev. Denis Miir['hy's edition, p]3. 208 Tlie liouk ot Ilowth, p. 134.
to 2S2. '"^ See Jacobi Clrace, Kilkenniunsis.
ANNALS OF THE FOURTEENTH CENTURY, I300 TO I350.
393
T315 the Scotch army under Edward Bruce laid sicm; to the castle of
I.ea, and it was soon destroyed, for he set it on I'nv.'^' In such cases
we are to understand probably that the floors, roof, and siMne out-
buildings were burned, as the walls seem to have withstood the destructi\'e
element. Durin.c; the Scottish invasion of lulward I'liice, Roger de
?vIortinier,T'' who was lord of a moiet\' of Meath and wlio claimed Leix
in right of liis wife, Jeanne de Joinville, as inliurited fiom his grandmother
Maud.-" had arrived from England to defend his Irish land'^.-' Having
sacked the Castle of Lea and beleaguered that of Kildari\ \'>r\irc and his
allies marched against him and signally defeated De Mortiini-r at Ivells.
Then abandoning his jjossessions and deserted by a errat ])art of liis
arm}'", Roger de Mortimer fled to Dublin.-- After a series of successful
encounters v.ith tjie English, during the three vears his in\asion of
Ireland lasted. 1]ie\' assembled a great army which marched to Dundalk
where Bruce av.aited their arrival. Su- John Bermingham, with sewi-al
distinguished officers in his tram, met hnu at Faugart, ami a licrcely
contested battle took place October 14th, 1318, which terminated in a
complete victory for the Imglish. Edward I'.ruce fell in this battle,
v/hich ended the inva-ion.-^
In 1319, John, son to Donat O'l^Iorthe, and his other brotliers were
^lain. He is said by his adversaries, to have never loved peace or those
who were peacefully dis])osed. In 1321, according to the .Annals oi the
Four Masters, a great defeat was given to the sons of the Chieftains of
Offaly by Andrew iMacFeorais Bermingham and the English of Meath -4
in which 300 of the O'Conors fell.-S In 1324 is recorded the death of
Doncnigh IMac Gillapatrick Lord of Ossory-'tJ In 132.^ the death of Cuilen
Ua Dimasaigh is recortled in the Annals of Ulster. -7 In 1325 about the
feast of St. Thomas Ihc Apostle, Bren O'Bren, with the a^histance of the
English forces in Ely (.^'Carroll, took a gieat i')i-e\' m Ossory. on the
confines of Slesblaine (Slievebloom), from t!ie people of Al
and
Aghmacart. They killed many faithful Englishmen-^ who were engaged
defending their iTopeinw-''
" Annale-; Ilihernin^," pp. OS, 69, edited
by Rev. l>:ichanl P.utler, ]\I.R.1.A.
''■'lie was alsu sl\led Banm of
Wygeinore.
-^ She was second dau^lUer and co-
heir of Guillaunie <1 ■ I'.raosr, by Eva,
daughter oi William Maresclial or
Marshal, Earl ot I'enibroke.
21 See Ecjwley Lascelles " Liber
Manernm I'nljlicorum IIiberni<e," ab
An. 1 1 52, us([nc ad An. iS_v, or the
Establishnienls ol Irelanil troni the
Nineteenth of King Stejihen to Seventh
of George IV., vol. i., Part, i., p. 20,
London, large foli<''.
-2 See John T. Gilbert's " History of
the Viceroysof Ireland," chap. i\'., p. 136.
-3 See John Speed's " I listory of
Great Britaine," t'^c B(^oke o ; chap, ii.,
p. 570. Hector Boctius' " Scotorum
Historic; a prima gentis origine,"
Kev. James Taylor's " Pictorial History
of Scotland." vol. i., chap, viii., pp. 141
to 14S. Lonilon, 1^59, 8vo. .Mso
Joannes De Eordun's " Cronica Gentis
Scotorum," cap. cxxxii, c.xxxiu, pp.
347. .vt'"^- Edited by William E. Skene,
EdmlnirL:li, 1S71, Svo.
-' See ■■.Vnnaliiim llib'.'rni.eChronicon,
ad Animm MCCCXL1.\." digrssit Prater
lohannes Cl\-n, Grdinis Minorum e.x
Cunv'.iUu Kdkenniensi, ]>. 14. Very
Rev. Kicha.rd i-Jiitler's edition, Dublin.
i.'540, 4to Ihe *.\nn.\lA tll.\T>h
places tins evtiit at .\.l). 131S. hei:
Dr. .MacCartln'^ edition, \-ol. ii., pp.
43''. A--
'-■' Vccordiug to knar Clyn.
-'^ See Dr. O'Donovan'.-. " Annals of
thel'Yiur Masters," vol. ill., i)p. 530, 531.
-" See Dr. MacCarthy's edition, vol. ii.,
pp. 44-\ 443. This entry is placed at
.•\.D. 1 ^j;. " Cnllen O'Dempsy died."
Lev. ' Dem^ Mnr[)hy in "Annals of
Clonmacnoisi-," ]>. 2S5.
-■* The Latin " hdeles .\nglicos " may
be reuderetl loyal Engll^hmen, as
distinguished from those, who were "U
the side of Bren OT5ren.
'-"■■' See Erat'-r Clvn's " Annalmm
394 HISTORY OF THE QUEEX'S COU'NTy.
In the year 1325, it is stated, the bold and enterprising chieftain, Lysagn
O'More, enianciixated himself and his clansmen from a state of dependence.
It is said, 30 that lie had been retained by the absentee — by whom is under-
stood Mortimer, Earl of March, and heir to h^va de IJraos over the lordship
of Dunamase — in order to act as his captain of war in Lcix, and to serve
in defence against the Irish on the borders. lU'traying his trust, it is
related, that Lvsagh 0'M')re seized on Dunamase, the i)rincipal castle of
Lord Mortimer, and recovered that wliolc tract of comitry which
depended on it for protection..^! Tln'sc events, however, cannot have
been correctly narrated, as must appear from the sequel. They
are referred to the beginning of the reign of Hldwaid 11.^- ; but we
should rather read towards its close. The suiiM'ise of Dunamase
and its subortliuate castles must have been veiy ileverly planned and
very prompll\' executed ; when, as has been stated, no less than eight
of these strongholds wi're taken and destroyed on one evening. 33 Thus,
was hysagh O'More enabled com])lete]y to reverse tlie fortunes of oppos-
ing races within that land, so long lield by his hjrefathers before the
Anglo-Norman invasion. 3 \
In the year i j2g, Donough Mac Gillapatrick was slain by the Earl of
Ulster. 3 5 \}n the Sunday before the Feast of the Apostle St. ]\Iatthew,
the sun being in the zodiac sign of Libra, the Castle of Lea was captured
bv 0'Dem])scy.3i' Llowever, we are informed, that in this very year,
the Castle of Lea, which had been occupied by O'Dcmj^sey, was given
up to jMaurice, Earl of Desmond. 37 Another account has it, that in 1330
the Castle of Lea was retaken from the 0'Demll^eys, by ?,Iaurice Fitz-
Thomas, h^aii of Desmond, and the O'Hrians, who with 10,000 men
were engaj^ed in war with s(jme of the combined Iri>]i septs in Leinster.3!^
There are scarcely any other notiees in our native annals, regarding the
O'Mores until towards the middle of the fourteenth century. But, on
inspecting that interesting and brief chronicle, coiupik'd by Friar Clyn,
who lived in Kilkenny until that j)eriod, and to wliom the contempora-
neous chieftains in question may have been jK-rsonaJly knov/n, some
characteristic particulars regarding these are lound on record.
In the 5'ear 1332, John Darcy was made Ju-^tuiary of Ireland,39 at a
Hiberni;u Chronicon, ad numiin MCCC popular traiUtioii. i.n lliis yicat fortress
XLIX," cilitcd l)v^ Very Iv^'v. KielKinl of I'linainase (K-pcniK-d the minor
Butler, A.B., M.R.I. A., Dean ot Clou- castles of ^Mordt, I 'vsarl, Palh^, Shean,
niacuoise, p. 17. Coolbana,<;licr, 13all\ inanus, Kilmarter,
-" In Harris' " Ilibernica," by Chief C".arr\anaddo(.lc, and Kallyknockan.
Baron Finglas, in his Breviale of Ireland, -"Si-.- d.x "llil)crnia An.^licana,"
written in the year 1^20. Pari 1., p. 103.
^1 See John T. Gilbert's " History of ■'■'Sec 1 )r. ( )' ! )nnovan's " Annals of
the Viceroys of Ireland," chap, v., p. 1.S9. tlie iM.ur A!a->lir>," vol. iii., ])]). 54+. 545-
:'■- Etlward 11. succeeded his father - ■"■See l^'riar hihii ('\yn'-.. ■' Annates
Edwaril I., on the 7th of July, 1307. Hiberni.e," ji. ji. Wry Kev. Dean
and he was deposed on the joth of Richard P.iitUr's edition.
januarv, 1^27. On the jSth of the ■'•See Jaeobi Clkc, Rilkenniensis,
same nionth anil year, Edward 111., " Annates Ihlierni.r," p\\ JP) 117.
received the great seal of England from edited by Rc^'. Richard liutler. M.R.I.A.
the Chancellor, and he continued to ■''^ See Tluanas iMo,)rr>' "History of
reign until tluMJay of hisdeath, June2ist Ireland." \ol. lii., chap, xxxvii., pp.
A.TJ. 1^77. See Sir Harris Nicolas' 84, 8;.
"Chronology of History," pp. 314 to ■''' See Jaiobi C.-ace Kdlcenniensis,
3-
\nnales 1 lii):-rin,i-," (■diled \vi!h
•'■'See Thr 1 n >.h Peiinv Ma-^azijir, ti an-.lal 1. .11 and ii.ar,, hy the Rev.
vol. i., No. 3, p. 18. According to a Richard IhilUr. M.K.I.A.
ANNALS OF THE FOURTEENTH CENTURY, 1300 T(^ 1350. 305
tiinc-io when great disorder prevailed among the Irish chieftains, no less
than among the great English barons in their various settleincnts.-u On
the Saturday which was the eve of St. Rcmigius' feast, a.d. 1333,
(lalfridus de la Frene-i- was slain l\v the O'Mortlu's or 0']\Iores of
Slemargys, or S!ieveniarig\ie. About this jK^riod, the Annals of the h^our
-Masters fail to give us })articnlars relating to I oinster, and we arc obligod
in a great measure to follow the statements of the Anglo-Irish chroniclers.
We read in Friar Clyn's Chronicle.43 tliat on the 4th May, a.d. 1335,
Raymund le Ercedekne. or Arsdekin,i4 with liis two suns, Patrick and
Sylvester, and Willelm le Ercedekne, or Arsdekin, with eleven other
persons of that family, had been killed by Leysagh, i.e., Lewis O'Moore,
ins sons, and retainers, at what appears to ha\-e been intended as a
conference. Thomas de Bathe, Gerald Bagot, with iifty other ])ersons,
also were slain. The place, called Clar-(ioly.4.s w'here this evnit took
l)lace, is probably that now known as the Gully River, which pjsses the
old castle of Gortnaclea and falls into the River Nore. It runs through
the i)resent barony of Clarmallagh, in the Queen's County, and it passed
along the border lines of ancient Leix and Ossory. This slaughter of
two distinguished Kilkenny knights and their kinsmen, at a parley,
aroused great apprehension in Dublin, while it created a mortal feud
between O'More and the English. It is noticed m the same Chronicle, 4'j
that the O'jMores were persuaded, encouraged, and aided ])y the Irish
of Leinster and of Munster to engage in war. The uo\>\c Kiiight, Fulco
de la Frene, appears to have led the Anglo-Norman settlers oi Ossory to
this encounter, and to have been aided by Scanlan Mac Giljiatrick, the
dynast of this Ossorian territory, and Herry OTvegan, perha])S, of the
Iregan district. We are left without sufficient accounts of this desjierate
contest, which seems to have been a desultory and an exhausti\'e one,
between the several parties committed to its prosi'cution. The result,
however, was favourable to the native clans of Eeix, who achieved their
independence from the Saxon yoke. This they bra\ely maintained
for more than two succeeding centuries.
It would seem, that John Darcy, the Justiciary of Ireland, felt called
upon to organise a force, in order to aid De la b'rene and to avenge the
■"'"Intravil Hibcrniam xiii. die p. 2(').
mensK I'Vbruarii." Peinlirokc/'Aiinalus." ■" Arcliidiaconus ; alias MacOdo, alias
*^ Sue Rrv. l.'r. Thuinas Lcland's Cody, accordin- tu John O'Doiiovau.
" History of Ireland from the Invasion See ibi//.. n., p. 61.
oi Henry II.," vol. i., book ii., chap. *^ It is marked Gouly F. (lliunen) on
iv., pp. 2S4 to 305. the old map of lliis district, preserved
*- According to Friar Clyn, " t^ui in the British Museum,
lu'redem de Obargi, Joannem Parcel ■"' We lind the followiiv^ account pre-
dnxcrat in uxorem." — "Annates sented at the year 1330; — " item in
Hiberni.e," d. 2$. estate iUa Init guerr.i inter dominum
*^ Tile following entry occurs in it, Fulconem de le i'"rene, teiienlem et
at the year of our Lord 1335 : — " Die et feventem jiartem .Anglicorum Ussorie,
jovis in crastino Invencionis Sancte et Leysaght O'Morthe ; (jue ortum Inibuit
Crucis, occiditur dominus Remundus le c.x morte domini Remundi I.ercedekne
Ercedekne, cum duobus filiis suis et suoruni ; nam idem O'AIorthe omnes
Patricio et Silvestro, dominus Willel- Ilibernicos coinmuniter totius Momonie
mus le Ercede'vne, et de illo cognomine et Lagenie suasioniljus, promissioaibus
:a. ]")er I.eyalh 0'j\Iorth.e, lilios et et muneribus alexit ad guerranr ;
iamiliam suam in parliamento apud solum autem Scanlan McGilpatrick et
Clar-Goly ; et Thomas de Bathe, llerry O'Regan partem tenebnnt Angli-
Geraldus Ra'jot, et alii, usque circiter corum et pacis." — " /Xnnales Hiberni;e,"
quincjuaginta." — " Annales Ilibernue " p. ::y.
30 HISTORY OF THE OUEEX'S COUNTY.
murder of (laUridus dc Li I'"rrnc and the Arsdrkinst? For this purpose
it. was necessary to lorm a coatcderacy with stJivie ol' the chiefs borderin;;
on Leix, and who probably felt a personal interest in curbing the ambition
of Leysach. In November, 1336, O'Dcmpsey, who becanie one of his
allies, had an order for /lo to defray his expenses in going with John
Darcy, Justiciary, against Lt^ssagh O'Moychc and the other Irisli who
had aided this formidable insurrection. Yet, strange to relate, the
English, soon after the Feast of St. ]\Iary ^lagdalene, during the year
133S, slaiightered O'Dempsey and many of his peoplei^ were killed.
In 1337, Donough son of Murtough More ]\Iageoghegan, Lord of Kinel-
Fiachacli, was slain by the i^eople of Offaly.-t9 In 1339, the O'Dempsies
were engaged in the Leinster insurrection, whicli was suppressed by
]\Iaurice the fourth Earl of Kildare.jo This defeat they experienced,
apparently from the men of Ki]dare,Si whom they invaded, and about
three hundred of the Irish perished in the River Barrow. 5^ It seems
most likely that, flying from their pursuers thither, they found no ford
at the place, so that tliey might escape to their own country of Clanmalire,
and consequently they were for the most part drowned in attempting
to cross it. In 1339, Lord Tilaurice Fitz-Thomas of Desmond invaded the
0']\Iores with a large force. They gave pledgi s to keep; the peace. At
this same time, the Castle of Lea, that the O'Dempsies took and kept,
was given to Lord Maurice. 53 Friar Clyn gives a ^uccinct account of
Lj'sagli O'Moore's heroic and puissant acts, when relating the inglorious
and probalily accidental, circumstance wdiich caused his death, in the
year 1342.54
hi the 5^ear 1346, Dermud ()'Dem])sey was killed bj^ a soldier
named Ivobcrt, the son of i\Laurice, on Friday, within the Easter
Octa\'e. The slayer seems to have been of Anglo-Norman birth or
descent ; and soon we find, that a fierce s]')irit was rr>used among the
neighbournig chieftains. Thus, on the \\cek ensuing after Low Sundav,
O'More, O'Conor, and O'Dempsey, on the day of Jui)iter, on tlie morning
of the Feast of the Holy Cross captured and destroyed the castles of
Lea, of Kylmehyde, and of Ballylethan.55 O'More was succeeded by his
son Kurv, or Rory. This appears to have been a favourite christian
name among the members of this great fanuly. This chief inherited that
•'■'See Jvymei's " Fuxlera," vol. ii., "■' Sec " Caleuuar of the drew Maiuis-
p. 951. scripts preserved in tlie Archiepiscopal
J'-^Sec Friar Clyn's " Annales iliber- Library at Lambeth," edited by J. S.
nia\" p. 2Q. Brewer, M.A.. and William Bullen,
•'•'See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of Esq., " Tlie Book of Howtli," p. 156.
the Four Masters," vid. iii., pp. -.62, 54 " p^^im^i ante Natale Domini obnt
563. And Rev. Denis :^.Iurphy's Leysart O'Morthe, a proprio servo m
" Annals of Clonmacnoise," p. 291. ebrictate occisus vir potens, dives et
3" See ]ohn Lodge's " Peerage ut Ire- locuples, et in gente sua honoratus.
land," vo"l. i., p. So. Archdall's~^edition. llic fere omnes Anglicos de terris suis
51 It would seem these Anglo-Irish et hereilitate violenter ejecit, nam
settlers were led by the Earl of^Kildare unosero, viii., castra Anghcorum com-
ou this occasion. See Thos. Moore's bussit ; et castrum nobilc de Dunmaske
"History of Ireland," vol. iii., chap. domini Kugen de Mortuo Mari destruxit,
XKXvii., "p. 94. et dominium sibi patrie usurpavit ;
62 Such is the account given bv James de servo duminus, de subjecto prmceps
Grace in his "Annates Hiberiiia-," at effectus."— Fnar Clyn's "Annates
A.D. 1339. We can have no doubt, but Hibernice," pp. 29, 30.
it form's one and the same event, re- ^^ See Friar John Clyn'f ^' Annales
ferred bv Friar Clyn, to the preceding Hibernii'," ]). 32. Very Rev. Dean
year. Seep. n3. Richard Butler's edition.
ANNALS OF TIIK FOUiaKENTII CLNTURV, I/.OO TO l/.^O. :',()/
restless spirit of enterprise which so mucii characterised his lather. He,
too, waged war on the Saxon colonists. In 134O, he was nrade a ])risoner
by Fulcan dc la Frene.56 The insurj^cnt clans 01 l.rix were active
during the trouliles ol contending Irish and English factions in recovering
their former patrimonies. During tliis century, their chiel fortress of
Dunamase,57 formerly in the possession of Lord Roger Mortimer, had
been held by Lysagh O'lMore. Even some of those native sents, who
a short time before contended in opposite camjis, seem to ha\\' united
for the purpose of destroymg certain strongholds, in i_;4('.''' This ra:d
occurred in the month of April. 59 These feudal castles serwd to connnand
that inland country, when the Irish were avenged on their Anglo-Irish
masters. The governor. Sir Walter Bermingham, the Earl of KiMare,
and the principal noblemen of the Pale, as the chronicle records, led an
expedition this very year against the O'Mores and the O'Demj^seys ol
Clanmalier, to re-establish the English power. '^"^ Th.e invaders, howex'er,
killed l)ut few men, although they succeeded in taking Rory O'i\lore a
prisoner. The lands and proeluce of Eeix were devastated and phmdeied
relentlessly during this expedition. The annalist, Grace, writes that
Justiciar}', and the Earl of Kildare^i invaded O'Morc, who hod burnt the
castles of Lea and Kilmehede. They compelled Inm to yield, although
he resisted obstinately.*^- The 0']\iores were obliged to give hostages
for their future good behaviour. ^3 Towards the expenses of ihis expedi-
tion, the clergy anel religious orders were oldiged to furnish a sn.'. l^idy,
which, however, they strenuously resisted. ^'-^ Yet, it was tlie fate of the
O'More family, to lind their worst foes within their own household.
Friar Clyn relates a domestic tragedy, which casts a deep slain on those
]iersons implicated by it. In the beginning of the year 134S, two brcjfhers
of the 0']\Iore famil\-, whose sons had been held as hostages by the
chiel eh'uast, Connell O'jMore, treacherously murdered the latter at a
banquet. But this base act was soon afterwards avenged by the English
of Ossory, who, entering Leix, with the unanimous consent of the people
'''' See ibid., p. 33. Kildarie, et 0']\Iorlhe et O'Dyniiscy ct
^' In a very elegantly-lithographed teri:;seorumu'iva3erunt etcoaibusserunt
serii-s of "-Picturesque Views ot the pancos tamea homines oecidcrunt." —
Antiquities of Ireland " — drawn on " Anuales Hiberniie," p. 33.
stone by Jas. D. Harding, from the "i Grace says the Justiciary -vvas
sketchcs'of "ivobert O'Callaghan Mevven- Darcy, but Sir Waller Beruiin^ham wa:,
ham, Esq., — vol. ii., there are two views, Lord Justice at the lane. See " I'he
one of the Fort ot Dunamase and one Earls of Kildare," eic, by the Manpiis
of the Round Tower and Abbey of of Kildare. p. 3,.
Timahoe, Oueen's County, in which, ^- See " Annales Hiberni.i'," edited,
however, some outlines are exceedingly with a translation and notes, l)y Ivev.
defective. London. 1S3O; 4to. Richard JJutler, JNI.R.LA., ]ip. 140, 141.
''8 ■' In hebdomada post Dominicam '^'■^ See John Lodge's " Peerage of
in Albis," says Friar Clyn at this year, Ireland," vol. i., p. 86. Arclulall's
" castra de Ley, Kylmehitle, et Baly- edition,
lethan, cai^inntnr et franguntur ]ier ''* See ;'/(/., n. (a)
O'Morthe, OTvonkur, et O'Dymiscy, die '^^^ 'treating about the disorders of this
jovis in crastino Sancte Crucis." — period, an nnpartial and a seJKjlarly Irisli
" Annales liibernice," p. 32. historian has remarked, that "it must
"■•'■' See Jacobi Grace, Kilkenniensis, be (observed, lor it may be of use in
" Annales Hibernin'," edited with a guarding against national prejudice and
translation and notes, by the Rev. partialities, that the internal disorders
Richard Butler, M.R. LA., pp. 140, 141. of England during the same period were
"" .-Vt 134b, Friar Clyn writes : — "Item not only as grievous, but precisely of
in hyeme ilia fuit guerra inter Anghcos, the same kind, anil derived from the
vidclicit, W. Bermegham comitem same sources with those which strike us
398 HISTORY OF THE OUEEN's COUNTY:
there, elected Rory, eldest son of the murdered chieftahi, to succcctl as
head of the septs. The murderers were either slain or banished from the
territory.'JS
CHAPTER VIII. — Annals of the Fourteenth Centuj^y,
1350 TO 1400.
The ncwly-ap]:)ointed dynast 01 Leix, Rory O'More, did not long contmue
his rule. I It was an age not only of truculent, but even of unnatural
violence. This domestic tragedy was one among numberless cases, in
which the svstem oi tanistry led to the coimnission of ferocious murders,
that could scarcely be surpassed in llii.' most savage slate of society.
Vet, these atrocities were not eou lined to Ireland ; and feudalism in
l.ioth England and France as in luirope generally, prodiieetl plentifulh'
its own crop of crime. It was neither thr' first tragedy in this family ot
the (3'Mores, nor the last. Again, we i'md it rteorded, that in 1354.
Rudhraighe O'^ilordha, or Rory (VMor.', Lord of Leix, died.- Another
account tells us, he was perfidiously slain by his own kinsmen and house-
hold.3 Whether this was in consequence of tlie former feud does n(A
appear, Tlie same Annals and those of Clonmaeiiois have the following
entry, under the year 135S, and it most probably refers to an invasion of
Leix, at that date, by some organised expedition from Dublin. 4 We an-
told that, O'Morcof the country of Lease gave a great discomfiture to thi'
English — who are also called foreigners — of Atheliath. On that occasion,
240 of them were -killed' on the field of battle'' The place where this
remarkable encounter took plaer; is not statud. During the long reign
so forcilily in Irekunl." — Rev. IV. Kildarie ct Callurlaht, in ([uodani p:issii
riionuis i, eland's "History of Ireland arcto aliiiu'js eipios, ((ui saicina et arnia
I'rom the Invasion 01 Henry II.," vol. i., Ossorieiisnini |)ortal)ant, abstulerunt,
book ii., chap, iv., p. 285. et ibi occisus ip-.e David, vir jxitens,
1 At i3^iS, the following account of divL^. el dis'.reliis post Conyl de san-
the l'()!"e;;t>in,L; transactions is furnished : L;uine par. in non hahens, et sic vitam
"Die INlarlis in crastino Purilicacionis, jierdidit, reeniini el :-;ermaninn ; alii viio
Connili O'Morthe, j^atrie sue ])rinceps et iiatres (iiunes c nnsenlienles e.Kulali
doniinus, per gernianos ejus in (jnibus patnain diiinl tere- co-nattu'." Friar John
eMufidebal, cnni (luilnis ipso die siiiud Clyn's "Aniiales 1 libcrni.e," p[). v>, ,v •
epulabatur conliilenler, quorum lilios - Ser " Ann.ds ot l.oeli t'e." Ivliteil
pro lulehlate et subjeccicmc sibi ser- by \V. M. Ileiiiiessy, vol. li., pp. lo, n.
vanda tunc habebat ofjsides, natoruni In 1353. See llie Rev. Denis Murphy's
suorum neccm non forniidantes, et " Annals <>l (donnuicnoise," |:>. .:i)S.
in jierjurii crimen inciclere non verenli/s, ''See Aniu\L.\ llLA-uh, or Annals of
ambicio doniinandi fraternum fedns tdster, Ui-v. Dr. ^NlacCarlhy's edition,
disjun.Kit el seperavit ; el mplo vinculo pp. jo'' b) .|Oo. And Dr. O'Donovan's
fralernitalis, sprelo amore et federt.' " Ann ds ol the Four IMaslers," vol. iii.
sanguinis, eum i>rodii:ie)se occiderunl, et pp. 01.4, i-.nc,.
quos venter et uterus unuis ninheris ■• Tins event is placed at .v.D. 135?, in
suscepit, tola ilia terra et ]Kitria the Annals of Ulster, Ivev. Dr. Mac-
recipere non valebat ; nee anferlur Carthv's edition, pp. 506, 507.
nee ctiam tliltertur inde vindicta, ■"■ See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the
nam octavo die Anglici de Ossoria, (pa lM)ur Masters." vol. in., \)\->. 612 to 614
partem ipsius Conyl fovebant, patria-.n and n. (x). .\l--,o " Annals ui I.och Ce."
uitrantes, C(Hnmuni ccjnsensu jiopuli liluis lulited by W. M. liennessy, M.K.I. A.,
ejus primogiuiitns l^ury in princiiiem est vol. ii., pp. iS. k).
electus et acceptus, et Anglicis Ossorie- '' See also .Mageoghegan's " Annals of
ad sua ut volebant revertentibus, David tdonmacuois," at the same year. .Also
O'Morthe, oceisi germanus, eis olistitit Dr. (J'J )onovaii's " .\nn ds of the Four
cum (pubnsdem Anghcis conhlatus M.islers," vu). ni., pi). t)ij, O13.
ANNALS OF THE FOURTEENTH CENTURY, I350 To 1400. 309
of Edward III.'' the aifairs ol Ireland were greatly ncj^loctcd, and were
in a state of the utmost confusion. Yet the Annals of Ulster state, that
the son of the Kinj,' came into Ireland in 1457, in (}r, ice's Annals, he
landed, Se]it. r5th, i3('i.'^.
The Annals ot I'lstcr state, under the year 1358,9 — rccte I3')ii" —
that Art iMac ^Murchada, King of Leinstern and Domlmall Mac iMurcdiada,
sr.rnamed the Swarthy,^- were treacherously ca]iturcd 1\\- tlie luiglisli
King's son, Lionel dnke of Clarence, in his own house. Thc\- (.lied ])ri-oners
with him, according to some accounts; according to oihcrs. Art ^lac
Murchada escaped to resume his wars with the English, until lie raised up
his dynasty in Leinster to a great eminence. '3 Again, the O'Clcries state
at A.D. 1375, that Donugh Kavenagh Mac Murrogh, King (tf I.einster, was
treacherously slain liy the English, among whom he had olten lielore sj^read
desolation. '"^ In T358,i.'5 Maurice, the fourth Earl of Kildare, had charge
certain forrcs assigned him to defend the County of Kildare, and with
otliL-r Connnissioners he was em])owered to levy a lax for the maintenance
ol twenty-ftjur m<;n-at-arms and their horses at 8d. a day, 200 hohfllars
at 4d,, and 400 foot at i!d. per diem for a fortnight, or as long as the
war should last. He remwd ()0s. from the County of Carlow, in 135S,
for j.jreventing tlie O'Mores from burning the town of Killah.ni.'" At
1367, the Annals of Clonmacnoisei? state, that " ^Melaghtcn mc Geftry
litz Patrick of Ossery was sincerely killed by the English."^ Again, it is
related that LaiseclT son to David O'Mordha died in 1368.1'^ In I3()7
according to the Annals of Ulsteri^ — rcctc 1370'''— Cahir O'Conor-" and
j\Iortough C>'}.lore were killed on a predator^' excni>'on by the lingli-h
of Leinster. The English snl^jects of the Pale in i-\i)y convoked a Par-
liament at Kilkenny under Lionel, Duke of Clare'nce, Loril Lieutenant of
Irehmd, which was intc'ided to restrain the Englrli lioni lorsa!-:ing the
English language, manners, laws and usages for tlie Ir;>!i, and torbidding
marriages and alliances with them.-^i Yet these had no binding lorce,
as there was not sufficient authority to sup|)ort them. Imoiu entries in
the Patent Rolls it seems — as they were often harried by the Anglo-
Xorman colonists — that Slcmargy was a chief ]ilace ol resort lor the
"lie ruled from January 25111, a.d. }>lart|uij of KiUlarc," p. J4.
1327 to the 2ist of June, A.n.i;i77. i'^ See liorl.e-e'.s " Ivcduction of
'^ llus was l.iiinel, Duke ol Clarence, Ireland," y. 5.1.
llunl sou of Juhvard III. '■ See the eihliou of Kev. I^enis
'■' See AmuvlA lllA-uh, edition of Kev. 1 )r. Murjihy, S.J., p. ;a>j. And l>r.
MacCavthy, pp. 512, 513. O'Donovan'b " .\nnah. ot the Four
"• See the " Annals of Clonmacuoise," Master.^," vol. ni., jip. C)^S, (i;<).
edited by Rev. Denis Murphy, and l-)r. i' See " Anu.des ol ],orhCe." Ivlited
O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four by W. ^I. Hennessy, vol. 11., pp. 3S, 30.
MasteTS," \'o\. iii., i)p. 61S to "-'i. '^ See Kev. Dr. 'MaeCarthy's edition,
o He was father of the .still more vol. ii,, p]i. 5.1.1, ^.[5.
celebrated Art AlacMurchada Kavana-h. i'' See Dr. ()' Donovan's "Annals of
King of Leinster, born m i^^;. See the Four Masters." vol. lii., pji. 050, 651.
Thomas D'Arcy M'C.ee's "Memoir of -"The " Ann.ds ot Ulster," remark
the Life and Conquests of -\rt Mac- that he was " our lit to be kin;.^ of Ui-
Morrough, King of Leinster, from .\.d Failghe."
1377 to A.D. 141 7," cliap. u., p. 7. ■-' See " A Statute of the I'^ortieth
1- Heir-appareiit to the kingship of year 01 King lulward III., enacted in a
of Leinster. Parliament held m Kilkenny, a.d.. 1367,
1- See z7.jrf., p. 10. edited by James Ilardiman, M.R.L.V.
'■• See Dr. O'Donovan's " .Anna.ls of for the Irish .Archrrological Society, from
the Four Masters," vol. iv., p]-). (lOh, 667. a IManuscripl m tlu: Library ot His
1^ See " The Farls of Kildare," by the C'.race the Archbishop of Canterbury,
-joo HISTORY OF THE QUEEN'S COUNTY.
most persecuted or turbulent of the native Lcix inhabitants. The
()'?*Iores were in threat force and held their own territory durm.L;
the reign of King Edward III. 22 However their lands and possessions
were not alwavs secured from their nivaders. In 1370 Cathal
O'Conchofilian- roval heir of Ui-Failghe and :\luirehertarh 0'I\Iordha fell
in a foray by the" foreigi'iers of Laighen.-^ It should seem ^ that both
chieftahis had confederated for defence on this .)ce.ision.--i Tlie Patent
Rolls contaui an entrv respecting lands in thi-^ region of Leix held by
colonists. there is one referring to John Wolf and dated in the year
1377- ^^ dccret-s, that he has no right to lands or lordships in Bally-
nr'agyllewan or in Loghdvok.^S Such an acknowledgment shows a
provision made for the O' Mores, and this may have been provided tor
a politic purpose, to pacify or conciliate those rampant chieftains, as
also their' clansmen, who could not have been conveniently evicted
from their liouses and lands witliin that territory.
Faghtna, son of David O'More, royal heir of Laighis, died in 1377.26
The Annals of Ulster connect with him Mael-Domnaigh the vigil
keeper.27 In the year ijij.s, the son of IMaunce Boy O'.Alore, Lord of
Slieve-Margy, fosterer of the learned and destitute of Ireland, departed
this life.2" "He does not seem to have been identical with Maelechlainn
O'Mordha, King of Laighis, who died this year.20 A writ was issued to
J^Iaurice, fourth Earl of Kildare, to remove O'Conor, son to Dough
O'Dyms'y, and the King's Irish enemy from the Castle of Kildare, where
he was detained, to the Castle of Dublin. This was to secure his safer
cus< odv as his escape from prison might have dangerous conseqacnces,3o
In i-^7"6' the death of Cunifne O'Conor Ealy, a worthy heir to the lordship
of Ol'laly and Bebinn, daughter of Donnell O'Dunne, and wife of
O'] )empsey, is recorded-.^i In 1378, the same Maurice presented a petition
to the Km'", in which he states, that having accompanied the Lord
Tustice the^'Earl of Ormonde, in a certain great hosting upon the
O'MorchoesJ^ of Slewmargy, he had lost six men, and four coats of
mail and other armour, for which he asked compensation. Accordingly,
he received a grant of ^10 out of the Exchequer.33 David O J->oyn or
O'Dunne. chieftain of the country of Irragann or Ily Regan 34 was killed
by the son of Caroil O'Dunne, in 1379. Again we read that m 13^1.
I.ninbeth, with a Transkuiou for the old W M Henncssy vol '-'■..PP- 54, 55-
French the court laui^ua'^e used by tlie -'hee Kcv. Dr. MacCuithy ^ edition,
English at that time. Tins is preceded vol. u., pp. 5'"'. S^i- , .. , , r
by a learned urtroductioa, and accom- ^-« See Dr. O' Donovan's " Annals of
pamed by valuable notes. Dublin, 184.^ the I'our Masters, ^/;''y,;^-; ^A ,(.^;;
2.; He ruled over England from the 763- Also, "Annals of I <.di Ce. Edited
.Uh Januarv. 1340 to^.he 21st June. by W M Ilennessy vol. '|, PP-^^ J.
I v/7 See Sir Harris Nicolas' " Chrono- ^■■' See ol Loch Ce. Edited by W.
lo' vof Historv," pp. 316 to 320. Hennessy, vol. n., pp. 82, .\:;.
'"■^^ See •' Amfa'ls ?/ Loch Ce.'' IMited - See John Lodge's " Peerage .,
bvW. M. Hennessy, vol. li., pp. 44. 45. Ireland," vol. 1., p. 81. Archdall ,.
'2* See at the same date. Dr. edition. , ,, , , ,r
O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four ^^ See Dr. O'Donovan s Annals of
Masters " vol. iii., pp. 650, 6.1. and n. the Four Masters," vol. iv., pp. 066,0fv.
,, . ' •*- ? O'Mores.
^ ^^Vme latter place, doubtless, uas -'See 'The Earls of K.ldarc, and
the LouQhty, Luchttighe, or ' mensal their Ancestors ; ironi 1057 ^^ ^77,.
land ol O'More l-'Y die Manpus of Kildare, ]). ji-
"«siei?r O'Donovan's " Annals of '- Now nu hided in the present baiony
the iMuiv Alasters," vol. iv., pp. OnS, 669. of Tinnahi.u h, 111 the north-west ot tli.
Also " Annals ot Loch Ce." Edited by Queen's Comiiy.
ANNALS OF THE FOURTEENTH CENTURY, I350 TO I40O.
401
O'Doyne was killed by the people of Fearkeall, as he was ^akiiiL; their
]:)rey.i5 The sa^ne year, the death occurred of Dowcoulew daii-jitrr to
O'Conor of Alialie and wife to Donell j\lac 'J'hoobald O']\lolloy, who was
ancestoi" of the sept of Ralle-ath-boy.
In the year 1383, a plague prevailed in Ireland, when Mac dillepatrick
prince of Ossury, and son of Keallagh Fit/patriek, tanist of C)ssory,
became its victim. 3^' Also, tiiis same year l)ermott O'Demjisey jninee
of ("lami Tilaliere was killed by the English. 37 In 1384, Murtogh O'Conm-,
prince of Affalie, died in his decrepid old age.3^ In 1385. Murrough
v)'Conor3'' prnice of the territory of Olialy, and the mliabilants of
Kinaleagh and of berkeall gave a gnxit overtlirow to (he English o!
Mealh at CJo-her Croughan. There Chambers with his son, and Nugent
of ]\Ie,'th, with many others, were killed.io This .ame year, Robert de
V'ere, Earl of Oxford, the great favomTte of Richard II., was nominaterl
Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, and invested with powers almost royal and
despotic.^ TIk^sc were set forth in a ixitcnt. and extended to 1he vt':ir
following, when he was created Duke ol Ireland, and he came over to
exercise in jK^rson those unheard of powers.42
At A.D. i3()0. Father Luke Wadding43 writes regarding the Franciscan
convent at Stradbally — which account lie derives from a work of
Hartholomeus Pisanus.44 a writer of the Franciscan Order — that it was
then distinguished as the " Conventus de I\Iortoto,"45 while the inhabi-
tants were accustomed to call it Stradbhaile Laoisc.4'J Great numbers
of the English settler-s of Ossory fell by MacMurrough, King of Leinster
in 13S6.47 In 1389, Morish or Maurice (the Bald) Conor of Affalie was
killed with an arrow by one of the O'KelIvs of Lea in Clanmalieri\4'^
A.mong the Irish enemies of King Richard If. in the year 1392 is ranked
3^ Sec Dr. O'Donuvnn's " Annals of
the Four Masters," vol. iv., pp. 672, by},
and \i\^. 6>^2, 6S:;.
■"^ Sl'l- " The Annals nf Clonmacnoise."
rditeil by Kev. Deius ^lurphy, S.j.,
p. 307 to 309.
"'' See ibid., p. 309.
3;^ See ibid., 3 ID.
^'J Thomas D'Arcy jM'Gee sa}'s " in
prowess and success "agaiust the iCiV-jlish
ill- was hardly inferior to Art Mac-
Morrough, kin.q ot Leinster. See '" A
Memoir of the Life and Conc^uests ot .\rt
MacMorrouf^h." chap, vi., p. 74.
■»" See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals nf
the Four ^Masters," \'ol. iv., pp. 700,
701.
' ' The pro\ibions of the patent of his
apijointment are found in Harris' Ware,
vol. ii., " Antii|i;ities of Ireland," cha[).
.\iv., i>p. 90, ()I .
■*- See ibid., \^. 92.
*^ This celebrated Irishman was
]nbilatc Lector and Chronologist of the
F'ranciscan Order. \\'addinL;'s great wurk
was published, and the In^st v(.>lun\e was
]>rinted, in lOj;. At Lyons and at'Uiniie,
it issued in folio S vols, to 1O54. .Xgain.
it was printed at Rome in -\i.\ (olio \ols.,
A.I). 1734 to 1745. ICditio Secunda
cuinpletior et accuralior opera ct studio
Rmi. S. Josephi Marian h'onseca ali
EL>ora.
■** I'his cat doL;ue of his was compiled,
.\.D. 1399. The statement in ipiestion
IS taken from " Catalogus Consentuum
Pr()\incia,' ffi hernia'."
^^ It is dillieiilt to attach any other
meaning for this seemingly jirojKT
name, than that it has reference to the
O'Moii.s ; and, indeed the local tradition
has it, that these chiefs wi^rr the
lounders of that convent. It stood, on
the actual site of the present Presenta-
liou Nuns' Convent, in Stradbally, and
it ]s sliU denominated the Abbey. Some
]iortions of the former cells latel\'existed.
■*'* Fatlier Lnke Wadding adds to the
account given, " in ojroido rurali
Dioccsis Li'ghliensis in comitatu Reeiire,
de quo nihil memoraljde occurrit.
Totum ilium traclum lucolunt heretiei,
el JMouastenum diriiit Franciscus C(")si)iiis
-Vnghis, e.x cujus cteraentis dimiuin
cou^lru.Kit," — " .Knnales Minorum sen
'fruim Ordiniim a S. Francisco In-
stitutorum." AiKtore a R. 1'. Luea
Waildimjo lliberno. T'omus i\., sect.
.\xi., p. 98.
*^ See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of
the Four Masters," vol. iv., [>p. 70O,
70;
2 D
402 HISTORY OF THE QUEEN'S COUNTY.
Omore, who with others and with a |j;reat host ravagf'd the town and
County of Cavlow, as also i great part of the County of Kil'lare, winch
thev gave up to " tuo ancl tlamc " : when Roliert, Archbishop of
Dui)]in, with two hunth-ed nien-at-arni^ and archers in his company came
on two clihcrcnt occasions U) Naas. Then tlie Irish enemy retreated,
for which ser\'ice lie afterwards claimed compensation from the King.-i^
An army was led hv Art ).lac Murrough, King of Leinster, against the
English in 1304, when he Inirned Ros-mic-Treoin, now New Ross,
County of Wexford. He carried away from it golil, silver, and hostages. .so
Carlow and the mountuns of Wicklow were hllcd with his ivtiiners and
aids. 3 1 He had married a daughter of Maurice fourth l^arl of Kildare,
and by her dower, he laid claim to large tracts of land in the county,
whicli had been sei;ced on bv the English crown and declared forfeited. s^
This same year, we read, that Thomas O'Dempsey, heir to the lordshii)
of Claiuv-Maoil'ughra, was slain In' the English, and that Hugh
O'Dempsey, whiK- in. pnrsuit of a prey, was also slain by them.
On the 2nd ol October, 1304, Richard 11., King of England, landed
at Warerford with a great armament, consisting of 30,000 archers and
4,000 knights53 to repress the inroads of the Irish chiefs on the English
Pale. Hience he marched direct to Dnldin, the force under his coinm;ni<l
being too formidable to encounter any efiective resistance He held a
Parliament there. ^4 A number of the Irish and the Anglo-Irish chiefs
made their nominal sul)nnssion to him, and were feasttd sumptuously.
Four of the principal Irish chiefs were created knights, the Ring wishing
them to adopt the English habits and customs. 3^ IdieKmg conducted
hini-ell in a conciliatory manner, to gam the good will of the people
whom he rame to govern, and left for lingland the following May. \\'ith
little profit, he spent a great deal of treasure, not having increased his
iwenu'-^ in the slightest' dc-ree, nor enlare-.xl tin" English territory by a
single aer e.v.^ Having spent his birth-(lav in Dublin, m 130=;, he left his
young kinsman Roger r^Iortimer, E.aii of :\Lu-ch, with anujle powers to
act as Lord Lieutenant. 57 In i3()4, Tli(jmas O' Dempsey was killed by
the English.'^ ^ ,
In the >ear iYi\. the Earl of Ormoufl mustered a force a.nd marched
into Leinster to s!)oil it. He burned and sjnnled (lailine territory, which
extended from near Abbevleix to the boinularv of Slievemargue. It
comprised the (Mitire nrtorv of (hillen or !)\-sert (fallen m the barony of
Cullinagh.3" He also despoiled the territory of O Ivelly of Magh Druchtain,
i'^ <,vc il::I., ]\ 313. '■■• joliu C,\|v-;iave's " Cliroaiclc of
■''J See •• A Kellot the Pr(iceedinQ;s of Eii-Lmd," p. -'vi.
the ]<in-'s Coniicil 111 Irclau.l, tor a '-•A Freiuhiiian, Sir Hoay C astulc.
]iortioii of the sixteenth var of the vel.tted in detail some highly mterestmg
rei-n of KieharJ II., a.d. 1 V.)>9^, ^vilh pnituulars ol which he was an eye-
an^appendix." Edited \<v the Kev. \vltl^•^s, re-anlin- Km- I^ichard Il.'s.
James tn-aves A.B., Md'^.I.A., pp. stay 111 DaLhu to Sir John hroissanl,
41 42. London, 1877, Svo. who has recorded th-m 111 his " C hroaic o
'■"See J)r. 0'IX)n(jvan's "Annals of ot haidind, loauce, Snaiii, ami t!ic ad-
thc h'onr .Masters." vol. iv., p[>. 730, jc^inin;.; countries," etc., vol. iv.,chap.
731. I'^iv.
^i See Thomas D'Arcv M'Gee's " A •'"See FlMwden's History ol
Memoir of tlie T.ife and Conciuests of Inlan 1," vol. 1., chap, viu., p. 230.
Art iMcMnrroii<^h," chap, i., p. is. "'See d'hrnnas Moore's "History of
-■- Lvnch's "Veudal Di'jnities," p. 24S. Ireland," v.,1. iii., chaps, .k.vmvui., p. 150.
" Cliarles Knight's " Popular Hist.jry '"" See Kev. Denis Murphy's ' Annals
of England." vol. ii., chap, vi., p. 27. • of Clonmacnoise," p. 31O.
ANNALS OF THE FOURTEENTH CENTURY, I >50 TO I40O. 403
traditionally said to have been the most fertile di'^trict in Lcix. It
extended h'om tlie ford of Ath-Baiteoige to the ford of Ath-fuiseoige,
mrdv Liiggacurran. It comprised Ballymaddock, the Park, near Strad-
hally, the church of Grange, and Ochteogue, the church of CIo])oke, and
the castle of Coragh. Although distiniiuislied from Dysart-Gallin, there
is a tovvnland (iailine within it.'^'^ After this devastating expedition, the
Earl of Ormond returned homc^^ This very same year, after the
celebrated Art Mac INIurrough Kavenagh, King of l.rinster, had wafjcd
very successful wars with the English, at the solKilaticm of the English
and Eeinster Irish, he went, we are told, to the king's house, which was
the Castle of Dublin. But he was there detained as a jn'isoner, on
account of a complaint made by the Lord Justice, the Earl of Ormond.
Afterwards, he was liberated, but O'Brien, O'^More, and John O'Nolan,
were detained as prisoners. This O'More, was probably a chief belonging
to the tribe of Leix, then in alliance with Art i\Iac Murrough.*"- After-
wards, we are told, that the English of Leinster attempted to malce Art
MacMurrough prisoner by treachery, but without avail ; for he escaped
from them by the strength of his arm and by his valour, without
I'eceiving any injury. ^3 Brian, the son of O'Connor Ivdy and iMurtough
Oge ^lageoughegan killed TMaurice, sou of Pierce Dalton in i']r)5.'J4
This year also died the son of Maurice Bo\' O'^.ioie, Lord oi Slieve-^Iargy,
fosterer of the learui d and destitute' of Ireland. ''5
In i3qS,^6 Callogh or CaUagh i\Ic]\Iurrogh O'Conor and. tlie horsemen
of Affalie took Gerald, the iiflh Earl of Kildare [)risoner.''7 He was
ke])t in confinement by O'Connor, until he had lieeu ransomed, when h.e
was liberated. ^^ In 1390, Phelim, the son of Caliir O'Conor, Tanist of
Offaly, died of the plague, in O'KeiUy's liouse.*'' Art jMcMurrough,
king of Leinster, made an inroad upon the English Pale in 139S. He was
overtaken by the English of Leinster and Meath ; and many on both
sides fell in that battle. Among the slain of the retainers of McMurroug'i
were the sons of Donogh O'Doyne, Karoll and Owen, with the cliiefest
of their people, and also William McKaroU EitzPatrick./o But Roger
Mortimer, Earl of March, the King's cousin and appointed heir to the
Crown, being Lord Lieutenant of Ireland at this time, was slain on the
2oth of July, 1308, by the O'Byrnes at Kenlis in Ossory. The King now
resolved on ax'en.ging his death, and leaving the government of En::;land
m the hands of his uncle the Uuke of Vork,^' pre]xu-ed an expedition
^'■^ Its extent in 1(107 is set ((i:tli ii\ '■' See Dr. O'J Jonovan's "Annals ot
Erck's " I'lcclesiastieal Register.'' jxi^i the I'our Ma^t' is," yn\. iv., pp. 73.\ 255-
'I'lii- i)res(_'nt luinnd.iries a[>pea:' to be ''-See //.,',/., jip. /^-/jli.
tilers, one. '^' ■ See llm/., )ip. 740, 7-|I.
''"Mr. Patrick O'Kelly, author '''See i.'-ul., pp. ys^. 7 S9-
of thi' "General History ot the '"■' See ;/'/(/., jip. 70J 7O3.
KebeHion of 179''^." ami assnnud '^'^ See Krv. iJeuis .Murphy's "Annals
translator ot Abbe jNIacGcoj^^lieyan's of C'lonniacniuse," ji. 3 jo. .Also
" Ilistoire de I'lrlande," is said by !>." " Annals of the h\)iir .Masters," vol. iv.,
0'|)ono\-an to have been head of the v\i. ji^o, 701.
iMagh DruclUain family of tlie O'Kellys. '^'^ He succeeded his lather Maurice in
However, the translator of JNlac- the title, .\.ij. i .V'*'.
Gco^hegan was an accomplished "^ See " The Earls oi Kildare," by llu;
(laui^'hter, am! an e.Kcellent French ?.I,u"quis of Kildare, p. 35.
scholar, Miss O'Kelly still living in '^-' See Dr. O' Donovan's Annals of
Dublin. Her father who was a hit;hly the Four Masters," vol. iv., pp. 704, 705.
educated gentleman, revised it for "" See Kev. Denis Murphy's " .'\nnals
puuhcation, by Janres Dully, of Dublin. of ClonniacnDisi;," p. 32J.
404 HISTORY OF THE QUEEN S COUNTY.
on an extensive scale, which he conducted in person. On the ist day of
June in the year 1399 "' Ivicliard King of England arrived in Ireland,
and landed at Waterlord, with a large army. lie marched through the
country of the MacMurrough Kavenaghs, Kinsellaghs, O'Bvi'nes and
O'Tooles to Dublin. On the way his forces were much distressed for
food and want of carriages, which were withdrawn from him by the
Irish, who retired on his approach. Having arrived in Dublin, bad
news from England soon reached him, that the Duke of Lancaster
was an aspirant to his throne. He then hastened to return, 73 without
having effected anything of importance in Ireland. 74 About this
period, according to the Annals of Clonmacnoise, Art JMcMurrough,
King of Leinster, was mightily weakened and brought low. 75 But
his retirement, while the English King was at the head of an
army so vastly sujierior to any force he could o])])ose to it, shows his
discretion as a skilful leader, in the wild country which he still occupied.
He n;iaintained the independence of his principality through a long term
of years to the very close of his life. Even his subordinate chiefs and
allies, the O' Mores, O'Conors, O'Tooles and O'Byines, were securely
protected from aggression by the English of the Pale, although constantly
exposed to their well planned and unexpected surprises.
CHAPTER IX. — Annals of the Fifteenth Century,
1400 to 1448.
The King of England, Henry IV., sent his son Thomas, Duke of
Lancaster, to Ireland, on the 13th of November, 1401." The following year,
during the month of September, Thomas held a Parliament in Dublin.-
Dut the chiefs and their elans in Leix and Offaly, under their own
Brehon law, 3 had little regard for enactments, that were framed in a
spirit of jealousy and hostility to them, so hjng as they could maintain
their native condition of independence. Under the suzerainty of Art
Mac Morrough over Leinster, the O'Moores, O'Conors, O'Byrnes,
O'Tooles and Kavenaghs seem to have confederated, when Richard II.
and his large army left the Irish shore.
The victory of Atli dubh was gained by Gillapatrick O'More, king or
lord or Leix, over the English, 1404.4 Here many persons were slain,
"1 See Rev. Dr. Lingard's "History ^ See Cox's " lliliernia Anglicana,"
of En!;land." vol. iv., chap, iii., p. 256. p. 144.
London, 1837, 8vo. •' 'J he Koyal Conunissioners ap
■^2 See Cox " Hibernia Anglicana," pointed in 1852 to translate and pubhsh
Part i.. p. 141. the Ancient I-avvs and Institutes
'^^ See David Hume's " History of of Ireland, have already issued five
England," etc., vol. iii., chap, xvii., large 8vo. volumes, which serve to
pp. 3S, 39. Edinburgh, 1792. tivo. make theai practically intelligible to
■'^ See John Capgrave's " Chronicle l^nglish readers. They throw great
of England," pp. 20S to 272. light on ancient Irish social Ufe and
"^ See ivev. Denis Muipliy's edition, usages. An instructive popular
p. 322. ihge.^t of them will be found, in " The
1 See Harris' Ware, Vol. ii., " An- Brehon Laws," A Legal Handbook, by
tiquities of Ireland," p. 106. The Laurence Ginnell, of the jMiddle Temple,
" .\nnals of the Four Masters," have Barrister-at-Law. London, 1894. 8vo.
the date 1400. See Dr. O'Donovan's * " Annals of Loch Ce." Edited by
edition, vol. iv., pp. 770, 771. W. M. llenncssy, vol. ii., pp. lOS, 109.
ANNALS OF THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY, I400 TO 1^^^. 405
and a great spoil was taken in horses, arms, clothing, and armour. 5
The place is now known as Blackford, a few miles eastward of Stradbally,
and on the very borders of Leix in that direction. This very same year,
too, the daughter of O'Conor Faly, and wife of Gilhqnitrick (VMore,
died.6 In the year 1405, Richard Butler, usually called Coscruaidh or
" ITardfoot,7 was slain by the son of Faghtna O'More.^ This name
Faghtna is usually Latinised Festus.9 In 1404, Owen (,)'(\)nor Faly,
the son of Murrough, son of Cathaoir, was slain by Gerald the lilth Earl
of Kildare.io This was in a raid, most probably undertaken to avenge his
imprisonment suffered some years before from ]\Iurrough O'Conor
Faly. 1 1 In 1405, Art Mac Murrough waged a fierce war against the
English. He devastated their settlements in Wexford, called by the
Irish " the County Reagh," and Carlow ; he also plundered and burned
Disert-Diarmada, now Castledermod.i^ At length he resolved on
marching on Dublin, and having collected a nunurous army of his
clansmen and allies he advanced to Kilmainham, m the neighbourhood
of the city. Lord Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, had summoned a council
ot the chief men of the Pale, to take measures for defence, and accord-
ingly a large force was assembled, with which it was intended to march
outside the walls and give the Irish battle. They were formed in four
divisions : the first was commanded by Lord Thomas himself ; the
second, by Jenicho d'Artois, surnamed the Lawless ; the thii;d by Sir
Edward Ferrers, an English knight, and the fourth by Sir Thomas
Butler, the lame Prior of Kilmainham. The English were arranged in
two columns : the one passed by Oxmanstown and the Park, on the
north side of the city, the other by the Priory of St. John, on the south
side of the Liffey. The numbers engaged on either side were nearly
equal, and computed to have been from 12,000 to 15,000 men. A long
and vigorously contested battle ensued. In the commencement ol the
engagement Lord Thomas was dangerously wounded, and carried back
to Dublin. Jenicho, Ferrers and Butler continued the battle, hut the
English were finally routed and fled within the city.i3 The Irish were n(jt
prepared for to lay siege to its strong fortifications, still so numerously
and effectively garrisoned. They buried their dead, destroyed some
castles of their enemies around Dublin, and disbanded the large army
they had collected. '4
In 1406, Murrogh O'Connor, Prince of Offaly, entertained Cahall Duff
and Teige O'Connor, two sons of the King of Connaught, O'Conor Roe,
with their followers and dependants. ^5 This he did, as weh to offend
5 See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of ^ See " The I'.aris of Kililare," by
the Four Masters," vol. iv., pp. 780, the JNIanpiis of Kiklare, p. 3^.
781. ^- See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of
6 See " Annals of I.och Ce." Edited the Four Masters," vol. iv., pp. 784,
by W. M. Hennessy, vol. ii., yip. 106, 785.
107. Also see ReV. Denis Murphy's 1^ The thickest of the fight was on
"1 Annals of Clonniacnoise," p. 324. the Lilfey's side; and the site was
■^ lie is so styled in Mageoghan's afterwards known as Atheroe, or " the
version of the Ann;ds of Clonniacnoise, bloody Ford."
;md Rev. Denis INluiphy's, j). 3J5. 1* See "A Memoir ot the Fife and
8 See " .\nnals of Loch Ce." Edited Conquests of Art MacMurrou^h," by
by \V,M. Hennessy, vol. ii., pp. no, I II. Thomas D'Arcy i^rCice, chap, vii.,
'•' See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of pp. 77 to 79.
the Four Masters," vol. iv., pp. 784, 785. ^^ They came with a troop of cavalry
^° See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of on this visit, according to the Four
the Four Masters," vol. iv., pp. 780, 78 1. Masters.
405 HISTORY OF THE QUEEN's COUNTY. ,
the English of INIcath as to defend himself and his country from them.
He gave a great defeat to the Abbot O'Connor's son, Owen, and his
retained kearne of Connaught. The said Al^bot's son with his route of
kearne went to a place called Clon-Imonois,i" in the upper parts of
Geashill, to the town of one Gilleboye i\Ic]\Ioyle Corra, where they were
overtaken by Cahall McMurrogh O'Connor, with Cahall O'Connor, son of
O'Conor Roe, and six horsemen onl}'. Tlicre they found Owen's
kearne despoiling Gilleboye of all his goods. Among other things, one
of the kearne took a great cauldron that Callogh had lent for the purpose
of brewing to Gilleboxe ; and seeing him carry it out of the house, in
presence of Callogh. Gilleboye said, " Callogh, there is your cauldron,
take it, and discharge me from my loan." Callogh rcjilied, " I take it
as sufficient satisfaction from you," Sud<lenly one of Callogh's pcoi)le
flung a stone, 17 and hit the cauldron, which caused a great noise to be
made. This created a ])anic, together with the unexpected arrival of the
enemy, as may be supposed, when the kerne broke out ol their ranks
and fled, hotly pursued by tlie inhabitants of Offaly. At a bog adjoining
the tow^n, and between it and Clonanie, near the hill of Crughan, in Keigh-
na-Kedagh in Offaly, they lost no less than three hundred of their men
both English and Irish. "The Abbot's son was killed at the bog, north
of the town.i^ They lost also, a relic of St. Patrick^ called Buacach-
Patraig, formerly preserved at Elphin. and counted by them to be the
chiefest relic of all Connaught. This discomfiture was giwn them on
SaturdaV; the 16th day of July.i9
In 1307, Cahall O'Connor of Offaly was killed by the family of the
Berminghams,2o or the Clann-Feorais.-i Art Mac iMurrough waged a
successful war against the English, in 1408, and O'Conor Faly also joined
with him and ]>iundered them, carrying otf great spoils.— In 1411, the
Sheriff of Meath was taken prisoner by him, and a great price was exacted
for his ransom. -3 In 1413, Turlough, the son of O'Conor Faly, died from a
fall, and we read, that Art Mac IMurrough gained a victory over the
English in the County of Wexford ; many of them were slain, and others
were taken taken i)risoners.24 His son. Art Kavanagh, heu" to the
Kingdom of Leinster, died the following yem-.--'^
The renowned Sir John Talbot of Hallamshire, who was Lord Furnival
by courtesy thr.nigh his wife, had married the eldest daughter
of Sir Thomas Neville, by Joan the sole daughter and heiress of
William, the last Lord Furnival. This great warrior was con-
stituted Lord Lieutenant of Ireland on the 24th of February, 1413,
"■ I'his uaiue is now unknewn, al- -"' See Kev. 1 )cnis IMiiri)hy's " AnnaU
thouL;h it was fonneiiv a townland ii\ oi Cloniun. noise," p. ^27.
the parish of Killci-h, Kin,t<'s County. -^ Th^'V occupied the l)arouy of
17 The Four Master.s sav, it was C arbnry. County of KiKhire, and
Callogh himself flun;,' the stone. founded the monastery of Muinislic
18 See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of I'heorais, near Edenderry, Kin!j;'s
the Four Masters," \-ol. iv., p)). 7.^6 to (ountv, winch (h'rived its nam? liom
jqi. them.' Sei- Dr. O'Donovan's " .\nnals
' 1^ Brian O'Connor tliat lost Allalie ol the h\mr masters," vol. iv., pp. 79-
by his attainder \sas descended from to 7.) ; and n (11.) //'/./.
that same O'Connor Lynally. Bryan --See ihid., pp. 7i/\^ J^jy.
was the son of Caliire, 'the son of Conn, -•' See ;/(/</., pj). Sof), 807-
tlie s(m of CalIo,i;h, who was the son of '-'See ihid., pp. S14. 815. These
IMorroLdi, llien I'rince of Offaly. See enlri-s seem to l)e repeated by the
l\ev. Denis Murphy's "Annals of h'our Masters at 14 16.
Ckmmacnoise," pp. 32?, 326. "'■ See ihhl., pp. 81K, 8 u).
ANNAT.S OF THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY, I4UO TO I4J8. 407
and he laiulrd at Daikey in September, 1414. He rcina'ned in Ireland
for six years, during which time he was artiw in rcibu-ing th.' Irish
chiefs, making of each successive chief that fell into his l)ands a tool and
a scourge for the subjection of his fellows.-'' Aftciwards be became the
celebrated Earl of Shrewsbury. Nor was he long settled in Ireland,
until he organised an expedition against the O'Mores. In 1415. Leix'
(VMore's territory, was devastated by him, and he took the castle of
the son of Faghtna O'More. The opj^ressions of this nobleman were
severely felt in Ireland,-/ and his tenn.re of office was distinguished for
liis rapacity, and consequent want of jwpularitv. ospcc-iallv when he
departed from the country in 1419.2^ At the vear 1417, the death of
the renowned Art Mac ]\iurrough Cavanagh took ]'laee. Tbe I'onr
Masters record this event in the following terms — he " had defended bis
own ]M-ovinee against the English and Irish from his sixteenth to his
sixtieth year ; a man lull of hosjMtalitv. knowledge, and chivalry : a
man full of ]-)rosi)erity and royalty : the enricher of ehmches and monas-
teries, by his alms and offerings, died (after being fort\'-two vears in the
J.ordship of Leinster) a week after Christmas. Some a-^sertj'that it was
of a poisonous drink which a woman gave to him. and to D'Doran, Chief
Brehon of Leinster, at Ros-Mic-Briuin-'^ that both died. Donough his
son, assumed his i)lace after him, "3° ^g ruler over Leinster. Muri'ough
O'Conor, heir to tlu- lordship of Offaly, died in 1410. In lh?' same year
Donough. son of Art Mac Murrough Kavanagh. Lord of Leinster, 'was
taicen i>risoner h\ Lord Eurnival, which was a great misfortune to the
L'ish ; Calvagh O'Conor Faly also was treacheroush' taken jnisoner by
Libned Prene or Freyne, and sold to Lord Eurnival. but the night after
Ills ca])ture, he escaped to his own liDuse, with a ])er-on who was conlined
along with him.^i
Tn the year 1421, Mac Gillapatrick and the son of Lilmed a Prene,
or Erevne, one of the English, set out with tweb'e ^eore s'Lliers on a
predatory excursion into Leix. However. tlu'\- do not a]ipear to have
proceeded much farther than the monaster\- oi Liix, i- when Murroueh
O'Conor Ealy hapjiened to come in contact \\ith them in that etnmtry.
He attacked Mac Ciilla]xitriek and the English, defeatiim them with great
slaughter. His ]ie;iiile obtained great siioils of the armour, arms, and
accoutrements, belonging to the invaders. .Murrough O'Conor then
returned home: but, he was attacked by a dangerous rli-ease, and he
afterwards took the habit of a friar in the monasterv of Killeagh, where
he happily died, soon after his religious retirement. 33 The ytli of May,
2f= Sec " Ori,L;inal Letters illustrative little or nothing,' at all. "--Henry of
of Englisli History," edited hv Sir Marllioroiish's " C'hrniiiele of Ireland."
Henry Ellis, second series, vol. i., ^u 'fjiig ^^ -^,.1 ^.^ror fttr !^)S-n1ic Tnuin,
letter 19. which is the ancient and ]iresent name
■'''See Dr. Leland's "History of in Irish of the tdwn ot New Kess (not
Ireland," vol. ii.. I'.ook iii., chap. old Ivoss in the Ci.iintv of Wexford,
i., pp. 12, 13. 3" c;(^.i_. iij- C)'D(jU()v.in's ".Annals of
-" At this year is noted : " On the the l-'"(.iur Masters " \ul. iv., ]>\>. 830,
feast day of ]\Iary l\Ta);dalen, the Lord 831.
Lieutenant, John 'j'alhot, went o^'er ''i See ibiiL, pp. 8.(0. S41.
into England, leavinsj; (as) his deputy ■'- Now Old .Vhlu'vleix, on the Kiver
there the Archbishop of Dublin " Nore. Near Lord de \'esey's mansion,
(Kichard Talbot). " carrying along with and just outside his '^artlens, stoo 1 the
liim the curses of many, l)ecause hee former Cistercian abbev of that place,
being runne much in debt for victuall ^3 t;ep ]-)p O'Donovan's " Annals of
and di\'ers other things, -vvouUl pay the Four masters," vol. iv., pp. 8t;o, 8u.
4o8 HISTORY OF THE queen's counl,y.
A.D. 1421, the Karl of Ormond, then Lord Lieutenant ol Ireland, was
defeated near this abbey by Omordris, otherwise O'^Moore. A great
slaughter of his English retainers was made. Twenty-seven men lost
their lives, chief of whom were Purcell and Grant. 34 Ten persons of
superior rank were made prisoners ; while two hundred other men were
saved by liying to this Abbey. 35 To revenge that discomfiture, the Lord
Lieutenant, leading a very great army, invaded O'More's country, in
1422, when he was met by a force of defenders at the Red Bog of Athy,
on the 7th ot June. A battle took place, in which the Lord Lieutenant
proved victorious. He afterwards preyed and burnt'd the lands of
Leix for four successive days. The O'JMores then sued for peace, and
released the prisoners they had taken. 3*' Rory O'Dunnc, Chief of
Hy-Regan, died in 1427.37 After Donongh Mac Morrough, son of Art
and L(.)rd of Leinster. had been imj^risoncd nine years in England, Ik;
was ransomed by his own province in 142S.38 About this time,
O'Dempsey took possession of the strong castle of Lea, which had been
held by the Earl of Kildare. The Earl of Ormond, then Lord Lieutenant,
forcibly expelled him, and restored it to the Earl of Ivildare.39
Donnell r\Iac Gillapatrick, Lord of Ossory, died 1431. This year, like-
wise. Art Mac Morrough, Lord of Leinster, made an inciu'sion into the
County of Dublin. The English mustered their forces to oppose him. The
Irish were under the leadership of Mac-an-?dhidhigh, the son of Teige, one
of the O'Briens, and two sons of O'Conor Kerry. i"J In the early part of the
day. Art routed the English, killed a great number of them, and deprived
them of nmch booty. Returning, however, on the evening of that
same day, the English rallied and re-assembled their men. Having
overtaken Mac Murrough, they attacked him and killed many of his
retainers. O'Toole was taken prisoner. -n Again, in 1432, Mac Murrough
greatly ravaged the territory of the English. The Palesmen attacked
him but they were signally defeated ; many were killed, wounded, and
taken prisoners, among these latter was Walter Tobin.42 Before this
])eriod, the English citizens of Dublin were sorely distressed to keep
their walls and fortifications in good rej)air, and complained bitterly of
3* Sec llcury of Miirk-Luirruugh's lias bcfu given by Dr. O'Doiiovan, in a
"Chronicle of Ireland," p. ^i. iL-nL^lliened note, (g.)- See ii//a., pp. 9^7
3 5 Now kiidvvu as Abliev-Li'ix, in the to QOo.
Darony ol C'ullinagh, Queen's County. ^s gee ibid., pp. 872, S73.
From the religious institution there, •''^ The ilate for these occurrences is
it was called m,Mnipren tAoi5;ifi or not given by Campion, who relates
"the Irish monastery," most likelv to them ni his " Historic of Ireland," ch.ii).
distingiush it (roui the adjoining vii.. p. 144. Dublin edition, iSo;j,
L-aiglish religious foundations in Sm. 4to. Of late, there has been
Kilkenny. It was situated on the published a valuable historical work iiy
Kiver Nore. Thomas Matthews intituled " An
■■"' See Co\'s " Hiberuia Auglicana," Account of the O'Dempsy's, Chiefs of
Part i., p. T^i- Clanmaliere," Dublin, 1903, Hodges,
"See Dr.' O'Donovan's "Annals of Figgis iK: Co., Svo. It gives a full and
the Four Mjsf(>rs," vul. iv., pp. 870, most interesting Aleinoir of this Queen's
871. The peiligree of the O'Duius, County lanxily, t<\gether with the origin,
O'Dunne's or O'Doyne's — as the clan rise, expansion and alliances of the
name is differently written — is derived (J'Dempsy Clan.
from Cathair Mor, monarch of Ireland ''^ See Dr. OT3(niovan's " Annals of
in the second century, by the celebrated the Four Masters," vol. iv., pp. 884,
Irish antiquary Duald Mac Fribis. From SS;.
the time of Henry VI II. downwards, " Sc /Z;/<i., pp. 886, 8-^7.
the names and successiiMi of the chiefs ■*- See ihid., pp. 892. 893.
ANNALS OF THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY, I40O .TO l-\-\^. 409
the heavy expenditure the}- wore obhgeJ to incur uii works n-cpiisite (or
defence against their enemies. xVccordingly on April ist, 14-7, King
Henry VI. granted twenty pounds per annum, during the ensuing twenty
years, to be deducted from the Crown Rent of Duhhn, for tlie necessary
repairs.43 In 14^6, O'Conor Faly waged war against the Enghsh,
during wluclr he did them much injury by burning, phmdcring and
slaying. This was intended to avenge their conhnement ot O'Donnell,
Ins relative by marriagL\44 At this time also the statement is made by
an Irish Parhament that their enemies and rebels had con(}uered and put
under their obeysance and tribute in the }xrrts ot Munster well-nigh all
the Counties Limerick, Tipperary, Kilkenny and Wexford ; and in the
nether parts, well-nigh all the Counties of Carlow, KiUlare, Meath antl
Uriel ; so that there is left unconquered, and out of tribute, little more
than the County of Dul,)lin.4.i In 1437, a war broke out between O'Connor
Faly, and Cahir O'Conor, his brother. Cahir went over to the hhiglish.
whom he afterwards brought into Offaly. They burned the town of
Dermot O'Conor and other towns. They killed and wounded many
persons during this foray.4^ Meantime O'Conor Faly carried on a great
war against the English, in which he committed many deju-edations, and
slew niany person3.47 This state of things continued in Meath during
1438, when peace was made with his brotlier Cahir.4S^ A Justiciary or
Deputy of the King of England came to Ireland in 1439. He was taken
prisoner by Cahir, the son of O'Conor Faly. After remaining for some
time in custody, he was released by the English of Dublin. The son of
Plunket was given up to Cahir in his stead,4'^ who probably retained
him as a hostage.
After the Anglo-Xorman settlement, for several centuries the state of
Ireland was disordered and very mucli disturl)ed. During these times,
while the O'Conors of OlTaly were desijoiling the Strongbownian colonv
on their eastern frontier, and even the O'Mores to the west, these latter
were no less predatory over their own borders. In the year 1440,
O'Conor Faly, his sons, and his brother Cahir, went upon an incursion
of this description into Leix, the O'More's territorv ; Init, after Jiaving
sent the prey on before them, they were overtala'u b\' the Earl of
Desmond, and by Mac Gillapatrick, who defeated O'Conor, and killed his
son Con, together with sixtv of his soldiers. In 1443, or 1444, after the
two sons of Mac GiUa Patrick had been killed by Mac Richard Butler's
direction in Kilkenny, their father and one of O' Moore's sons, with Con
O'Conor, made a preying excursion westwards beyond Slievardachy.3i^
But Richard Butler's son overtook and defeated them, with the loss of
some leading men, who took part in the encounter. Their horses and
cattle were also captured. It was probably to avenge this reverse that
O'Moore's sons gave a defeat to the County of Kilkenny, where Piers,
*^ Sec " Calendar of Ancient Records ""^ Sec Dr. O'Pduovau's " Annals of
of Dublin, in the possession of the the Four J^Iasters," vol. iv., pp. 90S.
Municipal Corporation of that city," 909.
l.y John T. Gilbert, F.S.A.,M.R.I.A.. *^ See ibuL, pp. 910, 911.
vol. i.. pp. 29. 30. Dublin, 1889, 3vo. *« See ibid., pp. 912, 9^j-
<* See Dr. C)'Don(nMn'3 "Annals of *» See i6/J . pp 91.;, 9^"^-
the Four Masters," voi. iv., pp. 906, =>'^ See IMacFirbis's transl.ition of tne
907. " Annals of Ireland from the year
<^ See Dr. Lelaud's " Mistorv of 1443 10 1468." "Miscellany of the
Ireland," 15ook iii., chap, i., pp. 22. Irish Archiolot,Mcal Society," vol. 1.,
22. pp. 200, 201.
410 inSTORY OF THE QUKENS COUNTY.
tlie grandson of Piers Butler, and two or three of the murderers oi
Mac Gilla Patrick's sons were slain, this same _\\;ir.3' At this time, the
jH'inciple of primogeniture in the male succession was lieginning to be
adopted by this family. As one consequence of it, the lord of Lcix,
hrmly seated in his territory, assumed the right of chieftainshi]) over his
clansmen's cc^imtry. The heir to the l.-ordshii-) of l.einster, IMurrough
l\.avanagh, was slain by the luigiibh of the Comity Wexford in 1442.
The King, aftei- the death oi his son, niadi' war upon them and upon
the English of Leinster.- He fenced them to pay eight hundred marks
as ail eric, or indemnity for his son tliey had slain, ;md to liberate seven
prisoners taken by tliein the day on which tlu' oicurrence took place. 5-
In 1445, Dcrmot O'Toole, Lord of Clann-Tnathail, was slain by the
grandsons of TomaltaghO'Dempsey, in the eightieth year of his age, and
while in pursuit of a prey. 53 About this time, also, several chief men of
the Pale sent a petition to the King to depose the Karl of Ormond from
the position of Lord Lieutenant, because among other charges it was
alleged, that he had caused certain subjects of the King to be imprisoned
in the castle of O'Dempsey, with a view to exact payment from them to
procure their ransom. 5-t A great war broke out in 14 |'), between O'Conor
Faly and the English of Meath. During this war a gieat jxirt of Meath
was plundered and burned : many of its inhal)itaiUs v>-ere slain ; and
marauding parties overran the country as far northward as Tara,
and as far eastward as CuI-iMaighe-Claraigh. Ihian, son of Calvagh
O'Conor, was taken prisoner in the course ot tlii-^ wai' by the English. 55
Finola, the daughter of Calvagh O'Conor Falv, and of Margaret, daughter
of O'Carroll, who had been hrst married to O'DoiiirH, and afterwards to
Hugh L>ov O'Neill, was the most beautiful and stately, and the most
^enowned and illustrious woman of her timL- m all Ireland, her own
mother only exce])ted. She retired from this transitory world, to prepare
h)r hfe eternal. In 1447, she assumed the \'oke of ]iicty and devotion in
the monastery of Cill-acliaidh.5^ In the Pale, while a rivalry for the
])ost of Lord Lieutenant was maintained between John Talbot, Earl of
Shrewsbury and James, Earl of Ormond, the latter was displaced, and
m 1446 Talbot was sent over from England for the third time, as it was
felt, that his warlike and vigorous character was likelv to restore the
jiower and authority of the crown within the Pale, and to restrain the
encroachments of the Irish enemy without it. 57 In the year 1447, the
monastery of Laoighis. in Leinster, and m the diocese of Leighlin, is
said to have been founded in honour of St. Francis, by 0'More,5'i ^vho
selected a burial-place for himselt and his descendants in ii. It was
erected beside the river which runs through Stradbally, and the site is
locally denominated •' The Abbey." Consideral ile nuns of the Franciscan
Friary remained here until tlie close of the niiietrenfh century, v/hen
they were removed by the Presentation Nun-, who now occupy the
^i See ibid., p. J07. tlic I'our Masters," vol. iv., np. 94'), 947.
ti2 See Dr. O'Donovaii's "Annals =.; Sce z/^/./., ]>1). 952, 9SS-
of theFourMasters,"vol.iv.,pp.qjS,9J9. ■■•See 'rb.oinas D'Arcv McGce's
53 See ih;ii.. p;). 94J, ^4 ^ " l\ipular lIist.,rvof Irelaud," Hook vi.,
=< See I/Al)lie >Ma-(;eo,L;lici<an's " His- chap, vii., p. -'87. Glasi^ovv edition,
toire de I'lrlandc, Ancienne et Mixlurne," 12 mo.
Tome ii., Troisieme I'artie., cImi'. xi., -'^ Ware stat'-s. that a monastery had
p. 180. been founded at Abbeyleix, m 1183, by
•■^s See Dr. O'Pondvan's " .Vnnals of Corcha" t (Concliohhar O'.More.)
ANNALS OF THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY, 1441) TQ I5U(). 4II
grounds. No traces of this building, at present, are to be found. 5^ He
also designed this to be the i>lace of interment lor himself and for his
descendants. We learn that he endowed it wiih an t'state, perhaps a
portion of his own patrimonial lands. Thi-- docs not i^rechide, how-
ever, the p^ossibility of his having effected su' li a foundation, without
the full concurrence of his subordinate chiefs and their se]its. ("onid. son
ol O'Conor Falv, was slain by the English of T.einsler in 1448,'^'^ and tlie
same year, Niall O'Molloy was slain bv The O'lv.-mes.^i
CHAPTER X. — Annals of the Fifteenth Cen'tury,
1449 TO 1500.
Upon favourable terms of his own making, and confirmed bv ind.enture
between King Henrv VI. and himself, Richard, Duke of York and fund
of Ulster, was appointed Lord Lieutenant of Ireland for ten vears, and
accordingly he came over and landed at Howtli on the 5th of July,
1449. 1 lint, he discovered very soon, that the allowance for the main-
tenance of his state was not only small, but it was even very irregularly
])aid;- yet notwithstanding, having ulterior designs on the Crown of
England, he contrived to ingratiate himself with the nobles and subjects
of the Pale, among whom he was especially ]).j])ular. The Duke of
York had large possessions in Ireland. During the reign of Henry VL,
he was sent there on a pretence of quelhng Irish disturbances, but in
realitv to ])re\-ent his executmg ambitious intrigues in England. His
personal inlluence and character were greatly respected by the Palesmen,
who afterwards held himself and his family in tlie highest respect.
Meanwhile the rivahdes and contests of the Houses of A'ork and
Lancaster seem to liave excited little interest or sympathy beyond the
inhabitants of the Pale, who held closer relations with Engkmd than tlie
native Irish had done. The following are the only entries contained in our
Annals at this period, as germane to the subject of our history. \\'e
read, that in T451, died ^Margaret, daughter of Tiege O'Carroll and wife
of Calvagh O'Conor Faly, the best woman in lier time in Ireland. She
it was, we are told, " who had given two invitations f)f hospitalit\- in the
one year to those who sought for rewards." After the victcn'X' of Unction
and "Penance, triumidiant over the world and the devil, she departed
this life. Likewise, Eelim O'Conor, son of Calvagh by this }^largaret,
and heir to the lordship of Ohaly, a man of great fame and reiK^wn, died,
having been for a long time ill of a decline. Only one night intervened
between the death of both. 3 Also, in 1451, O'Coniu" Ealy alarmed the
Englisli by a sudden inroad into the district of Kildare. He was
surprised, however, by Sir Edward Fitz-Eu>t,ice, a warlike knight, an.d
his troo]-) was routed.4 O'Conor's father was thrown from his horse in
■'^o See Dr. O'Donovan's " Aniuils of written at Divclin (Dublin) June I5tli,
the Four Masters," voL iv., up. 954, the year is not K'^'en, in Campion's
955, and n. (d.), ibid. ' ' ' Hislurie of Ireland," Booke ii., chap.
''"See Viv. 0'L)onovan's "Annals of vii., ])p. i.|(S to i^S.
the Four Masters," vol. iv., pp. 9^6, 957. 'See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of
"1 See ibid., pp. 9?6, 957. " of the Four l\histers," vol. iv., pp. 972,
* See Sir Richard Cox's " Hibernia 973.
Annlicana," Part i., p. lOcj. ■> WiUis' " I.i\es of Illustrioiis and
- See the complaint set forth in his Distint;uished Irishmen," vol. i.. Fart in,
letter to the Farl of Shrewsbury, Third I^eriod, p. 403.
412 HISTORY OF THE QUEEN S COUNTY.
the course of the ]nirsuit, and was in ininiinent chmij^er of beuig taken
by his ]Hirsucrs, wlio were fast apjn'oaching. His son, who was by liis
side, stopped and remounted him, but unhappily the father feU a second
time to the ground. With a generous contem])t of danger, the son offered
O'Conor liis own horse, thus insuring captivity for himself. The father
refused to accept this proferred means of escape ; the son persisted to
press, and the father to refuse. Neither would b-e saved at the cost of
the other. At last, the escape of the father became impossible ; and his
stern command was obeyed, wlien obedience itself had l)ecome a dangerous
dut}-. By an exertion of great steadiness and activity the son fmally
escaped. His father was made prisoner, but he was afterwards released
when it appeared, that the incursion was hniKt fide in pursuit of pre}' —
a venial transgression in those times. It is lik^-wise recorded that David
0']\Iore,5 son to the lord of Leix, was killed by a fall in 1452,^ but where
this happened is not stated. The Earl of Ormond, wlio ^vas Lord Justice
of Ireland, took (f.aislein Leige (Lea Castle) in llie year 1452,/ from the
O'Dempseys, wlio permitted him to pass onwards "to Hairem*^ or Irry,'^
whence he rescued the son of MacFeorais, who was there imprisoned, and
he burned that place. In 1452, Mo];e, daughter of O'Conor Faly, and
wife of I\Iac\Villiam of Clanrickard, died of a fall.io Jn 1452, Brian, the
son of Calvagh O'Conor, by Margaret, was killed by a fall." In 145 1,
the Duke of York returned to England, and left the Earl of Ormond
Lord Justice of Irelanrl.'- In his wars with the Irish he broke down the
castle of Owny at Abington in that barony, and county of Limerick. He
then proceeded to Oifaly, whereupon O'Conor came into his house, with
an assurance that the son of MacFeorais should be set at liberty. In
1455 Cahir, the son of jNIurrough O'Conor Fal^', was slain by Tiege, the
son of Calvagh O'Conor ; and Cuilen O'Dempsey was slain by him on
the same day.i3 In 1458, Calvagh More O'Conor Faly, son of
Murrough-na-madhmann, Lord of all Offaly, died. He was a man who
never refused the countenance of man, says the annalist, and who had
won more wealth from his English and Irish enemies than any Lord in
Lcinster. Con O'Conor, his son, was elected in his place, before his
father was buried in the monastery of Killeigh.i-v A great defeat was
given in 1459, by Thomas the seventh Earl of Kildareis to Con O'Conoi
Faly, the son of Calvagh, in wliicli Con himself was taken prisoner ; and
the grandson of William ()' Kelly and many others of his people were
slain. I ^'
When Edward IV., son to Richard, Duke of York, came to the throne
5 See "Miscellany of the Irish the Foui blasters," vol. iv., pp. 9S0, 981.
Arcli:\,'olo.c;ical Society," vol. i., p. 231. ^^ See ibid., pp. qSj, 9b^3.
Dudley Maclurbis's " Annals of Ireland i- See L'Abbe .Ma-Geoghegan's " llis-
froin A.D., 1443 to 1468." toire de rirlande, Ancienneet Moderne,"
" See Dr. O'Donovan's ' Annals of Tome ii., Troisicnie Partie, chap, xi.,
the Four Masters," vol. iv., pp. 9S0, p. i^c^.
981. 1^ See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of
^ See Dr. John O'Donovan's "Annals the Four Masters," vol. iv., pp. 992,
of the Four Masters," vol. iv., pp. 993.
978, 979. 1* See ibiJ., pp. 1000, looi.
** So it is written by the Four IMasters. ^^ See "The Farls of Kildare, and
'-' Thus is it marked, near the River their Ancestors," by the Marquis of
Barrow, on the old Map of Leix and Kildare, p. 38.
Offaly, made in the reign of King i"^ See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of
Philip and Queen IMary. the Four IMasters," vol. iv., pp. iooj,
'" See Dr. O'Donovan's " .\nuals of 100^.
AXXALS OF THE FIFTi: KNTII CENTURY, I440 TO 150O.
413
in 1460, no change was made in the Lord Lieutenancy of Tri'hind, as the
occupant was known to be attached to the House of Yorlc. Tlie sexxnth
Earl of Kildare, notwithstanding the king's explicit prohibition, presumed
to summon a parliament, in which a subsid\' was levied and acts were
})assed.i7 A great defeat was given ft) the hhighsli. in i4()o, by Con
O'Conor Faly, the son of Calvagh, in whicli the IJaron of (jaltiani, and
many besides were slain. i^ The Public Revenue at the Seat ol ('.o\'ern-
ment was very low, because the whole Kingdom was in possession of tlie
Irish at this time, except the Pale, and some few places on the sea-coast
of Ulster ; and even those parts were so far from being (luict, that the
colonists were fain to buy their peace b}' yearly pensions to the native
chiefs, and to ]iay tribute and contributions to them for protection.
Their engagements, nevertheless, were but very ill observed in man\'
instances towards the English, through inability to enforce them.
Aniongst the various Tributes recorded as due to several of the leading
chiefs, llic King's Exchequer paid to Mac Morough 80 marks, and
besides the County of Wexford paid to him the sum of £40 ; the County
of Meath })aid a tribute to O'Connor Faly of /Oo, and the County of
Kildare — the stronghold of the Gcraldines — i)aid to him -fjzo, to
ensiu"e peaceful rclati(.)ns and his ])rotection.i9 War broke out in i4C)i
bc-tween the English of IMeath and those of Leinster, during which war
a consideralile part of xMeath was desti'oved. O'Conjior Faly and
Mac Richard Butler-'^ went to Druim-Tun-leime-i with one thousand
horsemen, or more, all wearing helmets, and remained there, without
tear, shoeing their steeds. Tlieir army and marauding parties plundered
and burned j\Ieath in every direction. During this war, the son of
Felim, son of Calvach 0' Conor, was taken prisoner by John, son of
Mac Thomas O'Conor. He obtained great rewards from the English
for making j^cace with them, as had been usual with his predecessors.--
In i-\();>, Cuilen O'Dempsey was slain by the luiglish.-o Where thi.-^
action took place is not stated, but it hapjx-ned while the Ivarl of Desmond
was Deputy in Ireland t(.> King l-ldward IV. -1 \\\ a.d. i4')4. Kedagh
C)'M()rf, lord of Leix, died ol tlie plague.-5 Wc are also inlormi'd that
'" Sec " Letters and Papers illusli'ativo
of the rci'_;iis of liichard 111., and IK-iiry
VII.," eiiitcd by James Gairdner, \a>L i.,
preface xxxi.
1'^ See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the
l'"our Wasters," vol. iv., pp. ii:'o6. 1007.
'^ See " Hibernia Anglican. 1." I'art i.,
pp. 16=;, 160.
-" He ^vas a distinguished clueitaiu ol
the Bntler fanuly, who took an Irish
snrnanie from his ancestor, Kichanl.
lie had residences at Ivilkeuny, Dun-
more, Gowrau, Kill-Fraich, on the
Banks of the Nore, and at Dun-
Aengnsa-nuc-Xadfraich, otherwise
called Rath-an-Photaire, which he
purchased from the h^arl ot Ormond.
Rath-an-Photairc, i.e., the Potter's
lath, is now vulgarly called in Irish,
Kath-an-Pliotaile, and anghcricd
I'ottlerath. It is a townland. con-
taining the rnins of a rath, cistie, and
tliurch, in the parish of KdinanaL;li,
li.niinv of Cranagh, and C'.ji;;!t\' of
KUlcenny. A copy of the Psalter of
Cashel, which was made for this chief-
tain m year 1453, by John P>oy
O'tdery, at Jialli-an-Pliotaire, is still
I'xlanl', in rather bad preservation, in
the B(,dleian Library at O.xford, Ck'ssed
J, and. 610.
-1 Now Drnmhurlin, situated in the
Parish of Taghnion, barony of ('orlcaree,
and Count \- ol Westnu'ath. It is
lepreseiiud on the Ordnance Tounlaiul
Survi'V Map of tliat county, sheet 13.
-- See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of
the Four JNlasters," vol. iv., pp. 1014 to
1017, and nn. (j^.q.) //'/r/.
-■■■ Si-L' Di . 0'Dono\"an's "Annals of
the Four r\laslers, vol. iv., pp. 1024,
10J5.
-' I'rom i.i()i to 14O7. See Cox's
" llibernia Anehcaua," vol. i., Part. 1.,
]ip. 16S to 170.
-'•' See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of
the Four Masters," at the same year.
Vol. i\'., pp. i)S<i, oS I .
414 HISTORY OF THE QUEEN S COUNTY.
ft
in 146S, O'jNIore and Mac Gillapatrick died of the plague. -^ An army
was led by the Enghsh of Meath and Lcinster into Offaly in 1466. Con
O'Conor Faly, the son of Calvae^h, assembled his forces to oppose them ;
and, lirst of all, he slew Jolm ]\lac Thomas, the best and most illustrious
captain of the En,;;lish, whose death was an oinm of ill success to the
them, for the Earl and his English were delcated next day, and the
Earl himself was taken prisoner, and stripped of his arms and armour.
Tiegc O'Conor conveyed the Earl, his own l)rothcr-in-law, and a great
part of his army along with him, to Castle-Carl-urv. Christopher
Plunkett, and the I'rior ol the House of the J Messed Virgin Mary at
Trim, William Oge Nugent, Barnwall, and many others were prisoners
along with them. The Irish were disposed to treat Desmond with the
respect usually paid to one of their own great chieftains ; and happily,
the son of O'Conor O'h'alv, who on a former occasion displayed so
generous a concern for the safety of his father, considered the noble
])risoner as liis kinsman, by fosterage, or siune of those artilicial bonds
of connexion, held so sacred by his count rxiuen, and whiel!. \n despite
of laws, had in several instances united with English fainil;rs. He had
now a fair occasion to repay the indulgence shewn to his father ; and
he had the generosity to embrace it. He convc^-ed Desmond — his brother,
as he called him — to a place of securitv, and afterwards dismissed him
witli a consideralile number of his followers.-/ Th(.- Eir^hsh of Dublin
subsequent] V came and carried off all that had, alter this defeat, been
sent unto the castle of Carbury, despite the efforts of the defenders.
After this, marauding parties from OlTaly repeatedly overran the country
northwards, as far as Tara, and southwards as far as Naas. The inhabi-
tants of Breifny and Oriel continued for some time afterwards to devastate
Meath in all directions, without opposition or pursuit.-^ In 1467,
Domhnall O'Mordha, king of Laighis, died.-'' In 1468, O'More died of
the plague. 30 War broke out in Offaly l)etwecn O'Conor and Tiege
O'Conor, in 1471. Tiege went over to tlie English and brought an
English army with him into OlTaly ; and the whole country was spoiled
bv them. 3 1
Among many false accusations brought against King Henry VI,, who
died 25111 -May, 1472, one of the charges relating to Ireland was,
that by the Instigation of divers Lords, he had written letters to some
of the Irish enemy, whereby they were encour.iged to attempt the
conquest of the said land of Ireland.3- Murtongh, the son of O'Conor
Faly, was s]ain,33 in 1473, in some battle th-n fought. The same year,
Conor, the son of Dermot— O'Conor Falv— most likely a brother of the
chieftain Con— died ; 3 1 and in 1474, Con O'Conor Fcdy, tlie son of Calvagh,
died in Autumn. His son, (\ilur, was inaugurated in his place. We are
told, that the Countrv of Alageoghegan was ravaged by O'Conor Faly,
who demolished the castle of 15aile-nua,^5 and exiu-lled the descendants
2I-. See 2^hZ., pp. 1054. 1055. 31 Sec /wV., pp. 1074. I'^/S-
^7 See Leland's " History of Ii-H;ind," '-Sir J^icluinl (oxs " llibcrnia
vdl. ii., Jl^ook iii., chap, si'i-k P^i'-;^' ^i- .-\iv;lii ana," Part T., ]>. iom.
^« See Dr. O'Donovans'"" Annals of the :••' Svc Dr. (.)'Don, amii's " Ann.il-; of
Four i\,[abters," vol. iv., pp. 104J, io\}. the luur Rlaslcrs," \<>1. iv., I'p. toS2,
-'•'See "Annals of Doch Ce," edited loS^
by \V. I\l. llennvssy, vol. ii., ]-[). 108, "■> See •;;»/(?., pu. 1084, 10S5.
loy. ■'■' Now Xewtnwn, situated to the
^•■^ See Dr. CHonovan's "Auucdsof the east d Kill ■■. --an, in the bamny of
Four :\raslers," Vdl. iv. ,])]>. 1054, to; :;. ]\love,i-.licl, C'.oiiniy of Westmcath.
ANNALS OF THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY, 144') TU I50O. 415
of Farrell Roe.36 In the year 1477, the son of Owny O'More was shiin at
Baile-Daithir, now Ballydavis,37 liy Mac Pierce I'utler and Art O'Conor.sS
Garrett, the cigfith earl, succeeded as Lord Deputy iu the later years of
Edward IV., and he was continued in that office tluriiii; the hvici reii^n or
ratlier violent usurpation of Richard TII.39 During tliis j^eriod, the O'Mores
of T,eLx and the O'Conors of Offaly ajipcar to have enioyed quietness and
peace ; although the Karl of Kildare lost possession of the Castle of
^.ea, about the beginning of the sixteenth century, and it is said to have
been taken possession of b}' the O'jMores.-io However, it seems more
likely the O'Dempsys \\ere the retainers, as it lay within their thstrict.
In 1477, a great war broke out between the Englisli of Meath and the
Englisli of Leinster. During this war, the son of John, son of Mac Thomas,
w^as slain, as were also his three brothers ; and the son of Art, son of
Con O'Melaghlin, and the son of Maurice, the son of Mac Pierce, were
taken prisoners by O'Concu" Faly.n In consequence of the depredations
of the O'Mores iu 1480, Gerald, tlie eighth Earl of Kildare, attended by
the IMayor, Bailiffs and citizens of Dul)lin, made a hosting into the country
of Leix.4-! In 1481, Cahir Kavanagh, the son of ]\lacMurrough, was
slain by the inhabitants of Contae Keagh or Wexford. 43 In 1483, Art
O'Couor Faly, the son of Con, the son of Calvagh, defeated Con, the son
of Art, son of Art O'IMelaghlin., in a battle. The two sons of Kory
Carrogh O'Carroll, and many others, were slain in this encounter. 44 In
one of the Parliaments, held in 1484, by Gcr;dd, Earl of Krldare, during
the short reign of Richard III., we find that O'Conor had a grant out of
every ])longhland in iMeath as a reward towards the charges he had been
at, and the services he !iad rendered the Lord Deputv in the wars against
the Irish, wherein he was a partner.45 In 1484, Murrough O'Conor Lalv,
the son of Ctdiir, son of Con, son of Calvagh, was slain by one ot the sons
of Edmond Darcy, iu Crioch iia-g-Ced-ach,4(^' by one cast of a iavrhn.47
When Ricliard III. lost his kingdom and his life, ■^'^ the hiar] of
Kildare still coiitiiuu^d to govern in this country. During the reign of
King Henry VII., Ireland almost belonged to the Department of Foreign
Affairs ; the governing race in it, indeed, acknowlodsjed their ahegiance ;
yet, from the nature ol things, t]ie\' were hardly under English control.
Ireland could only be ruled in Ireland, in sinte of all the efforts made to
govern it from England. The Earl of Kihlari' liad preferred a recjuest
to have the d('putyshi[) of that kingdom coiilirmeti to him for a term of
3<^ Set- ihiil., PI). 10S6, luSj. and n. "- S^e " '!'1k- l-larls of KildarL-," etc., by
(i.) thi- Martjin.s of Ivillare, p. 45.
^^ In the parish of Straboe, barony of ^'^ S<.l- J)r. O'Donovan's " .\nnals of
Maryborougli, Quceii's County. Sec the I'our Masters," \-ol. i\-., pp. 11 10,
" Orehiance Survey Townlaml INIaps of 11 17.
the Queens" County," sheet 13. '* See ihul., ]ip. I,I2'^ 1,127.
"S See Dr. O'Donovaii's "Annals ol ■'^' See Sn Kichard Cix's " Ildicrnia
the h'our Masters," vol. \i., [)p. 1104, Anglicana," Part 1., ]>, 17 u.
1105, and n. in.). '"A territory in the North of llie
•'■' It commenced on the j'Hli (jt Jinie, ]>resent I\in'.;'s ( 'uatv, a<l 11 uninL,^ the
and terminated on the 2jnd of Au'^ust, couspicmurs I li!l of Cro'^lum, and in
14S5. Set- Sir Harris Nicolas' " Chro- the county ot WCstmeath.
nolopy of History," pp. 326 to ;^j8. *" ^ee Dr. O' 1 )uiiii\ an's "Annals of
*" See "A most interesting' .Account the I-Vnir Masters," vol. iv., ])p. iiJ.S,
of tlie Castle of I.ea, Oueen's Count\-." 1120.
c'vic, p. 13. ■'■' See " I.etters and Papers illustrative
■*' See IJr. O'Honovan's "Annals of ot llie Kei!j;ns ot ivichard 111. and
tlie Four Masters." \-oI. iv., pp. iioj, Henry VI 1.," eilited b\' James Ciairiiuer,
1 103. Vol. 1., prelace, p. .\xxii.. and 11. i.
4i6
Hl.STOKV OF THK QUKEN S CO UN TV.
nine or ten years. As the earl had renderetl good service to King Edward
IV., especially after he had visited that monarch in England; so he
felt mistrustful regarding the exact object of King Henry VIL, who at
the very commencement of his reign sent John Estrete as his messenger
requesting a visit and interview with the Deputy in lingland. The pretence
was, that the earl's long experience m Ireland should render his counsel
both interesting and necessary for the king, who promised on his com-
pliance to- confirm him in the lieutenancy, to entail on him the manor
of Lcixlip, and to give him the custodianship of Wicklow Castle.
However, the carl demanded written assurances, under the seals of the
king and some of the nobles, for his security while he was in England.
This was declared to be inconsistent with the King's honour. The earl
was informed that he must content himself with an ordinary protection
under tlie sign manual.49 On anothor occasion — some tune between i^^(j
and 140350 — Henry summoned him to England, 5i but Kildare took no
notice of the letter for ten months. At last, he sent an excuse, that his
presence was so essential to the peace of the country, that he could not
])C absent. 52 The lords spiritual and temporal of the parliament in Ireland
endorsed this statement, in a letter addressed to the king, 53 and it was
supported by the Earl of Desmond, Lord Roche, Piers Butler and Lord
Curcy.54 It would seem, that Malachias O'More had ruled for some period,
previous to 14S6, over Leix ; for, it is said, the epitaph on his tomb, 53
at Abbeyleix places his death in that year. There js an inscription
bearing his name, but of uncertain date, and an altar-sha]jed tomb56 of
curious old carving, still standing in Lord De Vcsci's garden, 57 at Abbey-
leix. It has a brief memorial inscription carved on its surface, and
around the edges. 5^ ]\Iany portions of it are blank or broken, and these
have been tilled up, in a great measure with cement.
About this time was lormed the celebrated conspiracy of Margaret,
sister of Edward IV., and widow to the Duke of Burgundy, to revive the
Yorkist cause in England and Ireland, by spreading a report that Edward,
Earl of Warwick, the last male Plantagenet, had escaped from the Tower,
■'" I'lic true ilate of the year is now
kn()\Mi to be a.d., 149').
SI In Sir James Ware's " Annals of
Ireland," this is incorrectly placed at
the year i486. 'The year is not given
(lurinc; the term of this correspondence.
5- Dated vte day of June. Sec ihi l.
Appendix A. Sujjplenientary Papers,
Ko. II,. pp. 380, 381.
^^ Dated iiii. day of Juny. See ibid..
No. i., pp. 27y to 379.
5* Dated x day of Juyll.
^''' There is a drawing of it to be found
in the large 4tO volume of " JNIemcus oi'
the Family of Grace," by Sheffield Grace,
Esq., F.S.A., belonging to the Royal
Irisli Academy, London, 1823.
^^ There is a lithograph design, by
John Hewetson, of the tomb of O'More,
dynast or sovereign of Leix, i4S('.
This represents the recumbent figure of
an Irisli chief in full arniour, with a
short sword and cross-hilt resting over
ihe abilonu-n anil graspid in the left
lianel. Jhe helmeted head and cased
feet have a block of stone beneath.
On the entablature o\'er a deep cornice
is slated to be read the inscription : —
.^alacbias O'/Ubora Jasaic princcpy
vcqict^cnt In pace amen, inccc,
I 111", ^'i•
This inscriiJtion is incorrect, a;^ may be
seen by referring to note 30, chap. \'.,
Book lii., of this work, under tlie
heading Patrick of Abbeyleix. The
tomb apjiears to be massive and
ciuadrangular and of altar-shape. (Jii
the side presented to view is carved
a raised shield, with a hon rampant,
and over this figure are three stars.
S'' It is tiiiite convenient lo the old
Cistercian abbey site and cemetery,
adjoining Lord L)e Vesci i, garden.
•^*' There is an interesticig engra\aiig
of Malacas O'Mora's tomb, with a
description by iMr. Thomas O'Gornian,
See " Journal of the Royal Historical
and Arcli.cological Society of Ireland,"
vol. iv., new series, No. 30, April 1877,
p. J 74.
ANNALS OF THE FIFTEF.NTH CEXTURV, 1440 TO,I500. 417
in which he had been kept as a }3risoner by Knig Henry VII. S7 Lambert
Simnel, who closely resembled the young prince, was instructed to
personate him. But the design was frustrated in England. However, in
1487, Lambert Simnel landed at Dublin, with sever d Englisli noblemen,
and an army of 2,000 (".erman troops, furnished by the Duchess of ])uv
gundy, under Martin Swartz. The Earl of Kildare, then Lord Deputy to [\ic
reigning King, either implicitly believmg his pn-tensions to the crown, or
being a party to the scheme, acknowledged Simnel as rightful heir to the
Throne, and this example was followed by most of the Palesinen. An
invasion of England was resolved upon l)y a Parliament summoned, in
Dublin, a large force of Anglo-Irish and Irish retainers were embodied,
and all placed under command of the Earl of Lincolu.^o They landed,
and encountered the royal forces under the Earl of Oxford, at Stoke-ujxm-
Trent, June 4th, 1487, and after a desperate conflict, they were com})letely
defeated. Lords Thomas and Maurice Fitz-gerald, brotiiers to the Km] of
Kildare, with the Earl of Lincoln and Martin Swartz, the German leader,
fell on the field ; with 4,000 men, mostly inhabitants of the Pale. Lambert
Simnel and his tutor, the priest, were made prisoners.'" The Earl of
Kildare and the other lords of the Pale sent letters to the King, acknow-
ledging their crime and imploring pardon. Aware of the Earl's influence
over the Lords of the Pale and other Irish chiefs, Heiir\- not only lliouu'ht
it advisable and politic to pardon him, but to retain liim in ofhce as Chief
Governor of Ireland. In the year 14S8, on the 23rd of June, Sir Richard
Edgecombe sailed from England, bearing the King's authority to j^ardon
those Lords of the Pale who would take an oath of allegiance to him.''-
After a stormy passage, on the 27th of that month he arrived at Kinsale
and received the fealty of the Lords Barry and Courcey ; thence he-
sailed for Waterford where he was cordially welcomed by the Mayor and
chief citizens. He sailed for Dublin in July, and summoning the I'^arl of
Kildare, the Ar( hbishop of Dublin, and other Lords to his presence, he
obliged them in a most solemn manner to swear allegiance to the King
before they obtained his pardon. He then took his departure for hhigland.
In the vear 1489 died Rury, the son of David O'More, tamst of Leix,
and Ross, 'the son of Owny 6'More."3 This Ross was slain by Cahir,
the son of Laoighseach,H son to Cahir O'Dempsey.65 Towards tlu; end
of November, 1491, the Earl of Kildare appointed the Friday alter the
approaching Feast of the Epiphany, for holdmg a Parliament at Trjin ;
but of its acts and laws nothing is known to exist.tJ^ In tlie^ year 1492,
the Earl was removed from his office of Lord Deputy, the King having
received information of fresh plots that had been formed in Ireland,
•"'^ See Sir James Ware's " Iveruni c-L-din-s tliere wis wnileii by inmsL-lf.
1 libel uicanini Aniiales. I'Le^nantilnis and , will be found in llariis'
HenneoVII., Heiinco VIII./Edwardo '■ fliberniea," Part 1., pp. 50 to 77.
VI. iV Maria. Ab anno soil Domini Diiltlm, 1771.'. S\o.
MccccLXXXV, ad annum IMdlvhi." '^' Tlus name wonUl now be .\n^licisi'd
A.D. 148O, jip. 5 to 7. Dublinii, !0'>4, Anthony O'.Moore or Moore.
small foiiii. "5* This name would be Am^lici^.' 1 at
CO Sex- " Tlie lu'iis of Kildare," by present, Charles, the son ot Lewis
the ]\Iarquis of Kildare, p. 4X,. O'Deinpsey.
«i See Charles Kni-lU's " I'opular "See Dr. O'Honovan's "Annals of
Historv of England," vol. ii., cliap." .\iii. tlie Four Masters," vol. iv.. pp. 116O,
]ip. 2\2, 21-]. 1167, and nn. (l.m.)
'>■- A fulf and detailed aceounl of "'' See Sir James Ware's " Reriim
The \'ovaL;e of Sir Richard Ed-eeomb Hibernicarum Annales." &c.. pp. 2S,
into Ireland, in the year 1458, and pro- 29.
4i8
HISTORY OF TUK QUICKN S COUNTY.
against him, and he suspected the House of Kildaie of being still favourably
inclined towards the Yorkists, lie then nominated Walter Fitz-Sinion,
Archbishop of Dublin, with the title of Deputy to Caspar. Duke of
Bedford, called Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. At the same time he sent
the Earl of Ormonde, a trusty adherent of the. Lancastrian family, over to
Ireland, at the head of some troops, the better to secure his interests.''?
These proceedings revived the old feud betw(!en the Butlers and tlie
Geraldines. Rival factions were formed in Dul)lin, vvhereb\' many citizens
were slain. '^^i Meantime, the Earl of Kildare marched through the Pale
destroying the property of the Buffers and their supporters ; while in
reprisal, the Earl of Ormonde, with the O'Briens and other allies, plun-
dered and burned the town and county of Kildare. (^'.^
In 1492 Con the son of Art, son of Con O'Conor Faly, was slain by
the people of the Earl of Kildare, for having in jest thrown a pole at
the Earl. Idiis no doubt they took for an evil intention on the part of
O'Conor. 70 la 14Q2, Turlough O'Conor Faly, tlic sc^i of Con, son oi
Calvagh, died. ("alvagli O'Conor Falw the >^oii of Cahir. son of Coii,
son of Calvagh, was slam by Master dart, one oi the peoi)le of Janics,
Earl of Ormond, the son of John, son of James Butler. Master
Gart was himself taken prisoner immediately afterwards by the
Earl of Kildare. 7 1 This year, in consequence of the Earl of Kildare
being removed from the Lord Lieutenancy, the native Irish renewed
their attacks and depredations on the English borders. 7^ Council, the
son of David 0']\Iore was slain at the castle of Baile-na-m-Bachlach,73
in Crioch-Bulbach, which was the denomination of a district, lying <m
on the east side of the Barrow, between Athy and Monasterevan. Its
English meaning is " the country of the Bulbys."an old Anglo-Irish family.
family, who lived in that territory, bat now long e.xtinct.74 A party belong-
ing to Garrett, son to Thomas, Earl of Kildare, effected this deed. 75 Niall,
son of Donnell, was then made the O'More.76 In 1493, Cahir O'Conor
Faly, the son of Con son of Calvach, was defeated by James Mageoghegan,
the son of Conla, s.m of Hugh Boy. The son of Teige, the son of Cahir,
son of Turlough I'allagh O'Conor, the son of Art O'Conor, and the two
^'' See ibid., p. 31.
"3 Holinsheil ,m\''-'3 a curious .'iccount
of an attempted reconciliation between
the Earls of fvildare and Ormonde, at
St. Patrick's Church, Dui;lin. History
of Ireland, Book iii., p. jy.
'^'-' See " The Earls of Kildare," by
the ^larquis of KiUlare, pp. 53, 54.
■"^ See Dr. O' Donovan's "Annals of
the Four ^Masters," vol, iv., pp. 1190,
1 191.
'"■ See ibid., pp. 1194, iiQ?.
''- See Thomas Moore'.s " History of
Ireland," vol. iii., chap. .\liv., p. 215.
■^3 Anglicised " the town of the
shephenls." This castle was situatetl
in the parish of Kilherry, near the
Barrow, m the County of Kildare.
''* Its position apjiears from a jioeni
describinf; the martial achievenieuts ot
O'Byrne, in the Leabliar Brauarii, a
M.S. ])reserveil in the Library of Trinity
College, Dublin, H.I. 14. '{"fie followini^
translation of an Irish stanza is by Dr.
O'DiMiov.iu ; —
" Kilberry after thee is void of cattle.
And Baile-nua in which Bulby used to
be.
Not softly didst thou pass from the
two towns,
Cdassealy and the Nurney."
The Baile-nua here mentioned is Xew-
town, near Athy, which with Glassealv
lies near the Barrow, in the Barony uf
Western Narra.nhand, Rhelan, Narney,
lies in the b:irony of Western Ophaly,
County of Kildare.
'''' A mistake occurs in the original
Irish of tin- l-'our Masters by here m-
sertiiig 111 ni(j]ii)..\, i.e., the genitive case
of iiA ni6nij<^\, after Garrett, the son of
'J'honias.
'■^ See i>r. O'Donovan's " .Annals .4
the l'"our Masters," vol. iv., pp. i.joo
to ijo^. I'lie entry runs as follows
in the Dublin cony of the " Aunak of
ANNALS OF THE FIFTEENTH CF.NTURV, 1440 to 1500. 419
sons of Macnai:_,^h,77 were taken prisoners in the conflict .'iiul depriNx-cl of
eighty horses. 7^ Sir Edward Poynings was sent ow-r to Ireland with
sufficient forces to quell the ]:)artizans of the House of York, and to reduce
the native Irish under English rule. But the latter were able to elude
his efforts, by retiring into their woods, morasses and mountains. He
summoned a Parliament in Dublin, which enacted the supieniacN- of the
English government over Ireland, and decreed, that all the pnA'ious
laws made for th.at country should have force in thi> ; while no l)ill could
be introduced into an Irish parliament, unless it had pre\-nm-ly recei\-ed
sanction from the Privy Council in England. 7'»
The Earl of Kildare and his adherents were attainted in an Act o;
Parliament summoned to be held at Drogheda. lie was .urestecl, on
suspicion of treasonable practices, sent to luigland, and detained two
vears in the Tower of Eondon. At length, he was brought beinre the
Council, to meet his numerous accusers, where he justitied himself to the
satisfaction of the King, who restored lum to his honours and i-^tates.
He was rc-a]^}x~)inted Lord De]-)uty, by letters ixitent, dated the dlh oi
August, 149(1, ^^^'^^ ^^'^ King, however, retained his eldest son derald as
a hostage. Subsequently, as the Earl gave }:)roots of his ser\'ices and
loyalty to the King, he received further marks of tlie ro\al favour. '>"
A new adventurer, in the person of Perkin Warbeck^' aniwd jn Ireland,
representing himself as the Duke of York, escaj'cd from the 'I'ower. Ik-
landed at Cork city, in 1493. and was received and entertained by the
Mayor, with eveiy mark of honour due to a royal jirince. The barl of
Desmond declared in his favour. But his stay in Ireland on this occasion
was onlv of short continuance, being called into I'rance by King
Charles VIII. ^ to serve a purpose of his own. W'arbeck renewed his
\-isit to Cork, on the 2Gth of July, 1497, but found the feeling in favour of
the Yorkist party had greatly subsided. Hearing tluit tin- Coiiii-h men
in England had risen in his favour, in the beginnmg of September, he sailed
from Cork accompanied by the Mayor and one hundred and twenty
soldiers, whom by the countenance of Desmond he had eiilisted into his
service. The issue was unsuccessful ; and Warheck with the .Ma\iir of
Cork, being taken prisoners, were hanged at Tyburn. ■'>-
Whilst feuds and petty warfare prevailed among the indepeiulent
chiefs and their clans, in various districts throughout Ireland during this
century, as related in our Annals ; the O'Mores, O'Denqiseys, O'Duimes,
Mac Giolla-Patricks and their retainers, within the bounds of the (jneen's
County, seldom appear as disturbers of the public peace in the narrative
of events. Feeling secure in their possessions, owing to the weakness of
the English Pale, and to the powerful Leinster Confederac\', which
informally allied them with other surrounding septs, they had usuallv
neither the ambition nor the provocation which should urge them to
Ulster": " a.d. i-;q,l. O'Mnre, i.e., '^ See David IIuiiU''s "History <>f
Connell the son ui David (J'More, was FnnLind," vol. iii., eh.qi. \w., \y. y>j.
killed this year at tlie Castle of Bade- ^" See " The I-;irls ol Kdd.irc," by the
na-ni-B:ithlacli, l)y a party of the people Marquis of Kdihire, pp. :;(> to Go.
of the Marl of Kiklare, i.e., of Garret, "' hor a lidl actoiint of this iinjiostor.
the son of TlK^tnas, and O'IMore, was see Lord Haion's " lli.-,tory of the
made of Niall, the son of Donnell I'ieign of Kin.^ IKnrv the Seventh,"
O'More." l>p. 2j6, et ^lij. \'o1. ui. " Works " —
^■^ This name is now anglicised Pickerings' edition, London, 1.SJ5, 6vo.
Mooney. **- See Plow(h-n's "llibtory of
"* See ibid., pp. I20h, IJ07. Ireland," vol. 1., L.^.k i., ]'p. 2j2 to j6o.
420 HISTORY OF THE QUEEN'S COUNTY.
engaged in local hostilities. Besides, there seems to have been a tacit, if
not a well understood, agreement, with their ])owerful ntnghhonrs of
Anglo-Norman origin, the Geraldines and I>utlers, to observe an all-
round neutrality, based upon motives of politic consideration, le^t its
violation might place in peril their mutual juiblic and private interests.
CHAPTER XT. — Annals of the Sixteenth Century, 1500 to 1547.
In the year 1501, Rury^ the son of (TConnor Faly, i.e., the son of Cahir,
son of Con, son of Calvagh, died.'
In the 3-ear 1503, the I-^arl of Kildare went to England, and returm'd
home- with success, bringing with him his son, who had been in the
custody of the King of England. -
In 1504, we read that O'Connor Faly joined his forces to tho,-c of
the Eari of Kildare in his celebrated expedition to Connaught, where
a battle was fought on the iQth August at KnockduL'. in the parish ot
Clare-Galway, about eight miles north-east from the town of Gal-
way..'^
The same Earl of Kildare — for a brief ])eriod superseded by Sir
Edward Poynings as vicegerent 4 — maintained his ])ositioii iii the
government of Ireland, when Henry \TII. came to* the tlirone on the
'22nd A])ril, 1509,5 and he was continued in power, as his influence and
services were deemed neces-ary to quell various commotions in different
])arts of the island.'' Entrusting his charge to Lord Gormanstown,
for a short ])eriod, Kildare vvent over to England, where on conferring
with Henry and his coiuicil, he received directions for his future conduct,
when lie iiiturned to Ireland. Although English laws, English dress,
and I'highsh customs might Ix; imposed i)y authority ; although Kildare
might be (li,s])laced by Poynings as Lord ])e|)uty ; although every act
of the Irish Parliament might i)e dictated by the English council, it was
found, tliat the practical business of go\-einment could be carried out
only in Ireland. 7
On the 2Sth of July, the King wrote from Greenwich, that he desired
the Earl to repair again to his ])resence ; and to this message, Kildare
wrote Irom Dublin that he had been desired by his cousins the Earl
of Desmond and the Lord Burke of Connaught not to deinrrt, but to
sta\' and appease the rancour between them.^'
In the \-ear 1511, O'Connor Faly, referred to above, who was a general
patron of the learned, and a distinguished ca])tain among the English
1 Dr. O'Donovan's " Ann.ils of the Henry VITI., that the ICnrl of Kildare.
Four ]Masters," vol. v.. pp. i2jS, the late King's Deputy t.ientenant, had
1259. ]nirpt),sed to repair to llie King, biU that
2 See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals ot tluy had entreated hinr to abide and
the Four Masters," vol. v., pp. 1270, jMo'tect them ironi the Irishmen. They
ij-l, also signilied that they had elected hiiii
'■^ See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the Lord justice. See " Calender of State
Four Masters," vol. v., pp. 127O, 1277. Papers," p. 6.
* I'rom A.D. 1494 to A.D. 1490. 7 See " Letters and Papers illustrative
f' See Sir Harris Nicolas' " Chrono- of the i'ieigns of Richard III. and lleury
logy of History," p. 3 ',3. VII.," edited b>- James C.airdner, vol.
'■'On the Stli ot June. I 50Q, the Lords 1., preface, pp. 30, 31.
Spiril\ial and Tenqniral anil Council of >* See " Calendar of the State Papcr.^,"
Ireland wrote from Dublin to King p. i.
ANNAIS OF THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY, I50O TO 1547. 421
and Irish, was slain by a party of his own tribe, namelv, by the sons «. f
Tiege O'Conur and the sons of John Ballagh O'Conor, beside Mainistir-
Fiorais.9
In 1513, as the celel:)ratcd Gerald, eiglith Earl f)f Kildare, was
watering his horse in the River Grcese, at Kilkea, he was shot bv one of the
O'Mores of Leix. In consequence of this wound, he moved sU)wlv by
Athy to Kildare, and having lingered for a few days, lie expired there
on tlie 3rd of Se])tember,^'' As it was he, who, in 15 12, built St. Mary's
Cha])el in the choir of Christ Church, Dublin, he was honourably interred
there, near the altar, on the i6th of OctolxT." The council and nobles
then noniinn.ted his son Gerald to be Lord Do])utv' in his stead,
and this selection was aj^proved and conhrmed by the king. That noble-
man had been frequently distinguished in the wars conducted by his
fatli^r, and inherited all his martial spirit. The very hrst year of his
accession to ollice furnished an occasion for calling out the troops, to
engage in a series of manceuvres, which were destined to reduce some of
the Irish clans, and to prevent their further inroads on the English
Pale.
At the end of 15 13, several of the Irish chiels having ravaged parts
of the Pale, Gerald, who had l>een a]ipointed Lord Justice of Ireland
by the Council, set out against them, and in the beginning of 1314,
defeated O'IMore and his followers in Leix.'- In 1514 he ied his army
into Breiffn^^ wdiere he vanquished the O'Reillys, and killed a great
many of their chiefs and people. '3 At this time we lind him engaged
in a dis])ute with his step-mother, Elizabeth, Dowager Countess of
Kildare. 14 She charged him with having granted a tribute out of
her, lands, denominated Coyle, to the King's Irish enemy,
" The Great O'Neill," as he was called. It was ;dso alleged, that
he had suffered the lands of his brethren, to fall into the liands of
the wild Irishmen, to the utter destruction of complainant and of her
children. 15
" Si'c Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of '^ See iI>id,y>.S2. Tn tlic rcn'.i' book
the Four Masters," vol. v., pp. 130S, of Gerald Fitzf^erahl, math Earl of
130Q. Kiklare, there are some curious entries.
This was Monastcroris near Eden- re.yarding tluties or tributes paid him,
derry, in the llarony of Coolestown, in and adiiutted bv some of the O'Moores
(lie North-east of the King's County. anil other residents t>f Leix, to sixiire his
This abbey was founded in the year protection, in the be;^iniiing of the six-
1335, for Conventual Franciscans, in tecntli century. This rental book was
the territory of Totmoy in Offaiy begun in the year 1518. Edited by
by Sir John Bermingham, Earl of Louth Herbert F. Hore for tlie "Journal of
who was called Mac Feorais by the Irish the Kilkenny and South-East of Ireland
and after whose Irish surname the Archa-ological Society." New series,
monastery was called. vol. iv., jxut i., pp. 123, i::4, folio
"^ See "The Earls of Kildare and xvi.
their Ancestors, from 1057 to 1775," '•' SceDr. O'Donovan's " Annalsof the
By the Marquis of Kildare, pp. 6S, 69. Four Masters," vol. v., pp. 1328,
11 See John Lodge's " Peerage of 13-0.
Ireland," vol. i., pp. 86, 87. Arclnlale's ^* She died June jSih, 1-16.
edition. The Four Masters have erron- ^^ See " Calendar of the State Papers
eously entered the death of the Earl of relating to Ireland, of the reigns of
Kildare under the year 1 5 14, and relate Henry VIII., Edward VI., Mary, and
simply that lie was taken "with a disease Elizabeth. 1509 — 1573." Preserved
of which he died on returning from Leap in the State Paper Department of Her
Castle in the barony of Ballybritt. Sec Majesty's Public Record Ollice. Etlited
Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the Four by Hans Claude Hamilton, Esq..
]Mjsters," vol. v., pp. 1326, 1327. F'.S.A., p. 2. London : i860, 8vo.
422 HISTORY OF THE QUEEN'S COUNTY.
In 1517 O'ConorFalv (Brian, the son of Tiege, son of Calvagh),
died ; and Calvagh, the son of Tiege, was appcnUed m hn
In 1520 Maurice, the son of Thomas of Laccagh, son of the Earl, and
choice of the English Geraldines,'/ was slain by Con, the son of Melaghhn
O'More as were also many others along with Iiim.i^ The year belore
he had 'been appointed lustice of Ireland, by his cousm, Cerald Ear'
of Kildare i'' At this same lime, 1520, mtrigues were set on foot by the
Earl of drmond. Through the mfiuence of Cardinal \Volse\-, Kildare
was set aside, and Thomas^Earl of Surrey was appointed Lord Deputy m
Ins stoin ^^
In the following vear, a.d. 1521, O'Moore is stated to have marched
with a consideralVic force from the Castle of Lea, to jom the army o
O'Neill in the north. Not far from that place, he was met by the l;.arl
of Surrey in a wood, and sur]>rised. A gunner of O'Moore's party toou
l^o^t at' 'its entrance, and lired at the Lord Dej.uty.^ strikmg the
visur of his helmet, but without doing him further injm-y lhi>
p-ave O'Moore an opportunity to retreat ; but his brave and fait ilul
follower manfully stood his ground, refusing to surrender, and the soldur.
hewed him into' pieces. The Castle of Lea was alterwards taken by
the Lord Deputy, who retained it for the crown. = '
In lanuary 15-- -^„ Gerald, ninth Earl of Kildare, reti^rned to Dublin,
and obtained 'permission from the Lord Deputy, the Earl of Ormonde -'-^
to invade the territory of Lcix. In this ex])edition he was acccm]unied
by the I^Iayor and seVeral of the Dublin citizens. They marched int..
that country and burned several villages. Ilowever, they were surprised
in an ambuscade, where they lost many men, and retreated with nnu; h
difficulty to Dublin.'^3 In the same year GaiTett,'^4 and Con O V;i 1
(son of Con, son of Henry, son of Owen),'^3 led a great army o the English
of Meath, against O'Conor Faly, Connell O'More, and the Irish of Lcmsler
in general. Terms of peace were arranged between the latter and the
Earl by O'Neill, who delivered the pledges and hostages of the Irish
into the keeping of the Earl, in security for the performance of every
demand he had made of tliem,^*^ and so they parted in peace.^.
One of the parties to the above treaty, Kedagh, son of Lisagh or Lewis
the O'More, died this year, and was succeeded by Connell, who continued
i« Sec Dr O'Donovau's " Annals of Ireland," vol 1., p. S5. Archdall's
oivcii Ins daiii;liur Jtiry m marriage Aiialitaiia or nibioiy
U, Brya,, OXo.M.or of "^-"y. '^ "° 1 '5^"' Vmoa .„..rc,.nv, IIislorK.,!
;:rE'u:'o^'S;'<;,r; •a„?sr'i„.Sa^e ■ ^..^.,^ ... ..... o. l„, .,„..„.
^vith the native Irish, ^vhosc interests he f bee Ware ^ .,™'" "/. '^;\,1 -
Y- accused of desiring U, ^vc.. bee ;; ^^^^^ and^U^o^rlo^^n;;.- h.
Jolm Lodges ler^^^^^^^ sons, are mentioned m the rental
-^I^Se^^r: a^'fn-s"^ Annals of --^ ^^^^^-^ ^^S' ^Vnn^^ of
^'^^^:;S"S:ea;i''-'Sn;^oi;^S the ^^r^Iasters,'' vol. v.. pp. 13OO.
Ce." edited by NV. M. Hennessy. vol. u.. ^3^^andn^(l) ./.</. ^ ^^^^^ ^^„ ^^^^^^^
l'^\Vi:r'j;Vhn Lodge's "Peerage of by W. M. Heime.sy, voL u.. pp. -4^. -43-
ANNALS OF THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY, 1500 TO 1547. 423
chief captain of Leix till 1537. -^ From this chieftain downwards the
pedigree of the Irading men of the clan is tolerably clear. The in-
dependence of the kings ol I.eix, as these potentates are styled by Firbis,
at the early part of the sixteenth century, is visible in every record of
the time.
In 1530, the O'IMoores had been subdued, accorchng to Sir James Ware ;
but this event seems more j)roperly assignable to 1531, wlien the Lord
J)eputy, Sir William Skefhngton, and the Earl of Kildare, invaded the
territory of Leix, to punish O'Moore for some acts of hostility, in which
he had been engaged. "29
In 1534, O'jMore agreed to suffer Woodstock and Athy to be repaired. 3'^
O'Conor at the same time put in pledges to rebuild Kisshavanna,3i
as ylso other piles which he had levelled. 32 This captain is mentioned
n\ the printed inquisitions of Queen Elizabeth, as having been son to
Melaghlin, and the father of Rory. By the " Four Masters " he is called
Con, son of Melaghlin, in 1520. The same authorities write Connell
in 1523. He had five sons, and the first of these is named Leysaghe.
There is a notice of this Lysaghe M'Conyll dcs]H)iling the citizens of
Kilkenny, on their way to fairs, before 1537.33 This chief was slain in
a tanistic quarrel before 153S. His son, Morris, became lord of Slemargy.
This latter was slain in the massacre of Mullaghmast, a.d. 1577. The
second of these sons of O'Conor or M'Conyll is known as Kedagh Roo.
He is called the eldest and best son. 34 He sei^iiis to h5.ve lived in
Stradbally, a.d. 15(83.35 His name occurs in the State Pa]:)ers. The
third was called Piers, but he does not appear to have obtained any
distinction. 3<J The fourth was named Gillapatrick, or Patrick, and the
fifth was denominated Rory Caech. Between these latter two brothers
enmities prevailed, owing to their having ei]Jouscd opposite interests.
Among the sons of Ivedagh Ruadh O'More, we find Lysagh, who
seems to have been chic 1 tain of Leix in 1561.37 Another is known as
Caher, an outlaw. 3« These two sons were treacherously captured, tried,
and executed by Sir Henry Sydney. 39 Thomas and James were other sons
of Kedagh, and these assumed the name of ^leagh. The former was a
servant of Gerald, of Kildare, and he has left his name inscribed on the
walls of the state dungeon in the Tower of Loudon. The fourth son,
Connell, known likewise as Gilla-Patrick, or Patrick, was accused, in
1538, by Piers, Earl of Ormond, of liaving been om^ of the murderers of
his son, Thomas Butler.4'J
'-8 See " State Panurs published under 33 y^^.^. " Annuary of tlie Kilkenny
the authority of Her Majesty's Coin- Archa-olo.'^ical Society," vol. i., p.
mission," King Henry VIII., vol. ii 107.
p. 7S, and vol. iii., p. 88. , ^* See " Calemlar of State Papers,"
-3 See Thomas IMuore's " History of vol. lii., p. -;4.
Ireland," vol. iii., chap, xlv., p. 247. '^^ See thid.
^° See " Calendar of State Papers," ^^ This third son, named Piers, was
vol. iii., p. 26. the O'More in 1538. His curious suh-
31 Coissh-a-l)hanna, " the passa'^e of mission is found recorded m the
the waters," Casheboyne. " Calendar of State I\apers," vol. 111.,
3- See " Calendar of the State Papers p. 8S.
relatin;^' to Ireland, oi the llei^ns of •'' See State Papers, vol. iii., p. 307.
Henry VIII., Edward VI., Mary, and ^h See ibid.
Elizabeth, 1509-1573," preserved in the ^^ See "Ulster Journal of Archce.'
State Paper Department of Her olosy."
Majesty's Public Ilecord Office, edited *° See State Papers, vol. iii., pai^e 25 ;
by Hans Claude Hamilton, Esq., F.S. A., and vol. ii.. j>. 162. Also "Annals of
p. II. London : 1860, 8vo. the Four blasters," at a.d. 1532.
^124 HISTORY OF THE OUEEN'S COUNTY.
In 1531, the Earl ol Kiklave, who had been for a lon.^ time m
the custody of the Kin^^ of Enghind, returned to Ireland, ni
com]\any with an English Justiciary ; and they both continued to do
much injury to the Irish. They made a j^-isoner of O'Reilly, who had
gone u]X)n honour to visit thcm.i'
In 1532, the Earl of Kildare came to Ireland from the King as Lord
Justice.42 In 1532, Thomas, the son of Pierce Roe, Earl of Ormond,
was slain in Ossory by Dcrmot MacGil]a])atrick, who was heir to the
lordshi]) ol Cssory. Not long alter tliis Dermot was delivered up l^y
his own brother (the Mac Gillapatrick) to the Earl of Ormond, by whom
he was imprisoned in revenge for the death of his son and for every
other misdeed which Dermot had committed against him up to that
time.43
In the year 1534, Turlough Duv O'Dempsey was treacherously
killed by Murtougli Oge O'Dempsey. his own kinsman, although lie
had been under the j^rotection of God and of St. Evin,-' J the O'Dempseys'
patron saint, and the original founder of Ministir Eimuin, now
Monastn:;ven. Soon afterwards, this IMurtough himself was slain by
0'.Alore.4 5
In those disturbed times, the Irish chiefs opposed to each other often
took different sides, according as interest or passion dictated.
In 1534, serious complaints and accusations were transmitted from
the chiefs of the English in Ireland and from the Council, to King
Henry VIII., against the Lord Justice {i.e., the Earl of Kildare,
Garrett Oge, commander of the English power in Ireland). The Earl
went over to defend himself l)efore the King, but it was of no avail.
He was taken and confined in the Tower, where he remained for one
year, and where all the rigours of the law were exerted against him. On
iiis departure for England, the Earl appointed as his vice-dei)uty his
son Thomas, entrusting to him the .sworcl of the King. This youth was
born in England in 15 13, and had barely reached his one-and-twentieth
year.4(> Others say that it was William Skelfington who succeeded the
Earl in the office of Lord Justice.-!?
During his im|)risonment the enemies of the Earl spread a report
that he had been beheaded, and it was asserted that Lord Thomas and
all his uncles and brothers \vere threatened with a like fate. Accordingly,
on the nth of June, attended by 140 well-armed horsemen, he rei)aired
from Dublin Castle to St. Mary's Abbey, on the opposite side of the
Lifley, wliere the council was assemlded.-i'^ There lie resigned the sword
^' Slc Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of vol. i., ]iix 93. Arclulalc's edition. Sec
the Four INIasters," vol. v., pp. 1400, O'Donovan's " Annals of the Four
1401. Masters," vol. v., pji. 1418, 1419.
^^ See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of ■ *^ In that charming scries of Irish
the Four Masters," vol. v., pp. 1412, historical romances, known as the
1413. " Hil)ernian Nights' Entertainments,"
*^ See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of by Sir Samuel Ferguson, ami long since
the Four IMasters," vol. v., pj). 1406, 1407. published in the Dublin University
*' He was patron saint of IMonastcr- Mai;(r.!)ic, the Ivebellioii of Silken
evan, in the County Kildare. Thomas forms not the least interestijig
■•s See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of contribution. The work has been since
the Four Masters," vol. v., {)p. 1416 separately published in the United States
to 1418, and n. (g). and lately — at a very cheap rate — in
^'^ See Thomas Moore's " History of Dublin, by Sealy, Bryers, antl Walker,
Ireland," vol. iii., chap. .\lv., p. -40. (14, <)5, anil go Middle Abbey Street,
^' See Lodge's " Peerage of Ireland," Diililiii, in iJnio., three volumes.
ANNALS OF Tlin SIX'TrEyTH CENTURY, t^OO TO 1547. 425
and robes of state, and solemnly renounced his ;»lle,L,'ianee to KinL^ Henry
\'I1I. Sir William Skeffington was sent from England as Lortl fusticc,
with an army, as also Leonard Gray with a ,u;reat lleet, to o[)po^c Lord
Thomas, now in open rebellion. Several of the Irish chiefs and their
clansmen ranpfed themselves under this banner, and for a time he spread
devastation through Fingal and IMeath. lie also had numerous par-
tisans in Leinster and the south of Ireland.-i9
During the Rebellion, O'Moorc, in 1535, ajipears to have joined the
English, and had so posted his own and the king's men at Rathangan,
that: Fitzgerald might easily have been captured," but for the remissness
of Sir William Skefhngton. A brigade of English quitted the station
assigned to it, and thus the garrison was allowed to escape. The
O'Conors of Offaly were on the side of Lord Thomas, although the
Government engaged Cahir O'Conor against his brother, by allowing him
12 horsemen and 160 kerns in King Henry's pay. 5"
Following these events Giolla Patrick O'.Moore and Rury O'Conor
attacked the town of Athy.s^ They burned it, with the monastery.
Many of the English and Irish were slain on this occasion. The Lord
Justice, Anthony St. Lrger, marched into Offaly, plundering and burning
the country, as far as the celebrated Hill of Croghan.5^ There he
remained two nights ; but he retired from it, without molestation, or
v.'ithout com]')el!ing the submission of the midland chiefs. ■» As a conse-
ciuence of attainder, launched against the great Anglo-Irish house of
Kildare, the (jeialdines liLid been expelled from their patrimonies
Probably in sym])ath}' with their cause, on account of family relations,
or in hopes of taking advantage of the Pale dissensions, the O'Moores and
O'Conors Faly thought it a good opportunity to assert their inde})endence,
and fight for the possession of their former rights. In these designs they
were unsuccessful, for we find that in 1537, O'Conor Faly (Brian, the
son of Cahir) was banished from his country and all his castles wen;
demolished, and numbers of his people were sbin, l)y the English Lord
Justice, Leonard. This was done through the envy and machination';
of O'Conor's own brother. 33
In 1538 there was an indenture between Peter O'More and Lord
Leonard Gray. This is dated August 24th of that year. 34 The chieftain,
Kedagh Ruadh, wounded James, Lord Butler, during Silken Thomas's
rebellion. .33 He receiwd a state pardon, however, in the thiily-third
year of King Henry V'tll.'s reign. 313 This active insurgent was slain in
^^ See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of ancestor of the O'Moores. .Alterwarils.
the Four Masters," \-(M. v., pp. 1418, this place was called in the Irish laii-
to 14-3, witli notes. gnage t)jile Ar^\ ^\<)i, " thr tu\rn of
■''"Such is tlie substance "\ a slate- the ford of Ae." It is ^Uuated on
nient made in a letter to I,ord C roniwell tlie River Barrow, m the barony of
from Chief Justice .\ilmLT and Allen, Narragh and l<hel.)an, in the County (jf
Master of the Rolls, dated Au^iust ist, K'ildare.
1535. See Sir iiichard Cox's " llibernia ■''- I-fe advanceil to its 'I\)'^her, now the
Anglicana, or the History of Ireland," denomination of a townland near to this
vol. i., pari i., p. 241. l.-mdon, 10S9, remarkable emiiu-ncc.
folio. ^^ See Dr. < )'l )i MKjvan's " A.nnals of
■''1 This was so called, because Ae, the Four Masters," vol. \'., pp. 1436,
the son of Dergabhail, the fosterer of 1437.
Eochaitlh Finn Fuathirt, had been ■'•' See " Liber Munerum Hilcrnia?," at
slain in a battle fought here in the p. 1140.
third century, between the forces of ^'' See State Papers, vol. iii., pp. 25. 27.
Munster, and Laoighseach Ce''.r.iimhor, ^^ See Printed Patents.
426 HISTORY OF THE 0UEEN"S COUNTY.
rebellion before the year 1540, by Donill M'Cahir.57 In 1541, he was to
have been summoned to ])arlianient as a Ixiron.s^ We are in-
formed that the recognised O'More acknowledged the king's
supremacy on the 13th of ^lay, 1542. '^''
Connell Oge O'More appears to have been the chief of Leix in 15^6
as mentioned in the State Papers, and by the Irisli annahsts. He was
married to a daughter of Viscount INIountgarrci. The chieftain, l-iory
Ceach, had been recognised as the O'More, in tlie year 1546, when he
rose in insurrection, and probably consequent on the meditated
forfeiture of Leix, the preceding year, or during the contest in which
he engaged. During those raids, as we are informed, the Irish chiefs
were usually accompanied by train' al military followers, who are
called kernes. " Every kern had a page or boy, who commonly was
neverthele>s a man, to bear their maulelles, wea]x»ns, and victuals,
for two, three, or four ckiys, when thc-y go on a valiant jounrey." '"-"
Pati'ick O'More invaded Kildare in July 1546. ^^ In 1547, he was
declared a traitor.*-'- He was taken into England by the Loixl Deputy,
and received into favour.'^^'^ He died within the year 1548. ^^4 This
Giolla Patrick O'Moore slew his brother Kory Ceach, as probably
supposed, in 1545 ; but, according to another account, this fratricide
occurred ten years later. ^5 He is said to have married a daughter of
O'Conor Faly, and to have had a son/''' — more lU'obablv a grandson — •
named Callagh, or Charles.'^?
CHAl^TEIv XII. — Anxals of tiik Sixtj.exth Cr:NTURY, 1547-S.
Thk cb.ieftains of the great Irish sc]its of O'Monre of Leix and O'Connr
of Offaly, took the precaution to rangi' thcm-.el\ cs, re.~.])eclively, under
the banners of the two great lords of the Pale, the earls of Ormond and
Kildare. The date, at which they first entered iiito this imderstanding
for their better security, is uncertain. It is clear, however, that the
O'Moores were often alhed, by marriage and policy, to the frrst-
mentioned nol)le house ; while the 0'Coiu»rs, by similar ties, claimed
kindred with the Kildare family. Neither ot these chiefs, or kings,
however, relinquished their clan customs for the feudal s\'stein.
C)])posed to the laws and ]>ower of England, Uk- t-xigeircies of interest
•''' Sec " Calendar of State Papers." Annuary of tlic Ivilkeiiny Archajological
"'^ See State Palmers, vol. iii., p. 307. Society, vol. 1., p. 104, this event is
^'J See Sir liichard Cox's " Hibernia rcleiTed to 1555. It is likewise said to
Aiiglicana : or the History of Ireland," have led to the forfeiture of Leix.
vol. i., part i., p. 272. '''■ These particulars are mostly verified
"<> According to a document of 7th from Carew's Pedigree of the Dtialy
May, 1344. Irish manuscripts in the O'Conors. It states, that Patrick
State Paper Office. O'jMore married Elizabeth, daughter to
''1 See Sir Richard Cox's " Hibernia Callogh O'Connor, and that she agam
Anglican;! : or tlie llistt)ry of Ireland," espoused liriaii, the first Lord Upper
vol. i., jiart i., ]). 2S0. Ossory. In Lodge's " Peerage of Irc-
•^2 See ihicl.. p. 2S3 land.'' vol. li., p. 335- Elizabeth, the
''^ See Sir James Ware's "Annals of third daughter uf ]5ryan O'Conor, is
Ireland." held to have been the second wife of
'^* See Sir Richard Cox's " Hibernia that nobleman ; also to have survived
Anghcana : or History of Ireland," him, and to have had a licence, .^.u.
vol. i., ])art i., p. 284. 1551. to go to England.
•^^ See ])rinted " Inquisitions of ''■ He is said to have been living at
Lagenia Com Regine." In a note to thi- Naj^k's, in if'iii.
ANXALS OF THE SIXTEENTH CEXTURY, I547-S
427
and security obliged them to seek occabiunal alliances with, or arbitra-
tion from the king's representatives. Evidences of their semi-independent
state are abundantly furnished. The highly characteristic " articles,"
adduced by O'More in 1538,' show conclusively to what lengths the
urgency of statecraft, '= and of native insecurity among the tanists and
their clans, obliged both parties to engage in diplomatic courses,
which, in many instances indicated hollowness and intrigue rather than
sound principle or honest policy. A disturbed state of pulMic and ])rivate
affairs usually furnished the occasion for tcm]~)orary and ill-formed
arrangements, liable to be dissolved without much ])revious warning.
As regarded their relations with the crown of l-mgland, the bitter
enmities of the great Irish chiels, and thrir stern, haughty spirit of
independence, were never stronger, than at tlic epoch when the Reforma-
1 Certayne articclis, alledgide for the
parttee of O'More, co!icernyn.^e how
grevously my Lorde Deputie entretythe
hym, and agayne the O'AIorres sones."
See State Papers, vol. viii., ji. 2(1.
2 " Furste, the said O'Alore, being
accordinge to the ancicnte custonie of
that contra, by right lyne successore
to the hist O'More, withoute contra-
(hction did come to the Eric of Ormonde,
and desiride him to be meane to my
Lorde Deputie to be his good lord in
tlie denominacion of hym to the name
of O'More, and by the advis of the said
Erie condissendiile to give a certayne
some for the good will of my said Lord
Deputie, and further granntyde to bere
to the Kinge.s Deputie perpetually, at
certayne seasonys, a nombre of gallo-
glassyne ; and at suche season as the
said galloglassys came to levie their dutie
the sayde late O'Morre's sonnes resistide
the same, and violently would have
expulside them, where Leysaghe,
theldist of the said late O'Morre's
sonnes was slayne, of whiche procedid
greate mortalite between them.
" Item, the saiil late O'JNIoores sones
comyttidethesondry enormities dayly to
the said O'More and his tenanntes,sothat,
for reforinacion to be hade theruppon,
it was aj)pointide that O'More sholde
come in at Athy to Stephen Apparry
and others ; where he came, and then
and there, in presens of Stephen Apparc
and the others, Kovvry, oon of the late
O'Moorcs sones. cruelly assaltide the
said O'Afore, and hade nerehand slayne
hym. And finally Stephen Apparry
toke hjnn as prisoner, and conveide
hym prevely to Rahangau, and from
thens to Dublin, and kepe hym there
secretly 2 dayes ; where my Lord
Deputie examynede hym prively, with
certayne others, whether the said Erie
procuride him to bynde in ainite, and
to take parthe with O'Connor, whiche
mater, being so untruly framyde, tlie
saiil O'More denied ; whereuppon my
Lorde Deputie, in a greate llenne both
with words and contenannce moche
manasside the saide O'More to confesse
suche mater, whiche he wonkle not ; and
then the Kmge's HighuLSs Commis-
sioners, herynge of the saiti O'Mori'S
entretinge sent for him and exammede
the mater, and fynally dismisside
O'More, and awarditle restytn\'ti(jn to
hym of suche igoodes, as was then
talcyne Irom hym at his takynge.
'■ TJien the said O More bonde him
further takynge his dominion of the
Kinges iliglmes and his successoris,
paynge annally certain rente ; and
therupon my Lorde Deputie, the Kinges
ilighnes said Comissioners, the Erie
of Ormond, tlie Lorde Thesaurer,
and the Kinges Consade, ordcride the
lordshipe of O'More to be peasseable
rendende to the saide O'More, with
restituyUon of certa\'ne castelles, and
sent to the last O'Morres sonnes to
conforme them to that, which, by
prive comforthe of my Lorde Deputie, as
apperithe setheiis, they woukle nothing
accomplish. Then the said late O'.Morres
sones dud not oonlv rrpougn .igain
that ori'uT, l.)ut also cndly murderide
the said O'.More is messenger. Ins
serjaunte, ami his capitame of his
kerne, in the churche, nioate shamfully,
and uppoii no maner of complaynte ;
lie redres folouide, so as no jieaxe was
performidc by the said late O'Morres
sones ; ami wiiate so ever O'More tluil
for the same, was afther many by the
said late O'Morres sones. O'More
wonderithe, that my Lorde Dejnitie
^^•ould have mor re,->pecte to a little
reward or jjrolithe by O'Mores sones
givin to hym, nvIio kepithe a hundirthe
]ilowe land of the kinges that the
Erie of Kildare peasseal)ly hade, then
to the annall rente, and other pro-
fithe, is granntide newly to the Kinges
Highnes by O'.More, that non of his
anncesters never comlissendide to
geve."
42S HISTORY OF THE QUKF.N'S COUNTY.
tion had been, introduced into this count r\'. The anccstois of those
Leix and Offaly chiefs succeeded some centuries ]neYiously in recovering
their ancient clansmen's territories. This knowledge fired the courage
ot a warhkc race, that held these lands l)y the sword. It even led to
the dangerous ex]ieriment of opposing Henry VITI. in the field. When
Lord Offaly, son of the Viceroy Kildare, rashly threw off his allegian-e,
and revolted, the O'^Ioorcs and O'Conors became his active abettors.
But, the (icraldiues were cjuickly put down, their leaders were executed,
and their lands were conhscated. Their allies, h()we\-rr, the denizens of
the wilds and woods of Leix and of Offaly, would not allow the new
lessees and farmers of the Oeraldine estates to till, sow, and rca]) in
]x\\ce. This struggle, as to whether their lautls should l>e for the
Irish or the linglish was a jirotracted cne. It lasted fully sixty
years, and it was contested with remarkable pertinacity on both
sides. 3 Native annals, with other records and pa])ers of the period,
furnish illustratitju sufficient, regarding its continuance and strange
vicissitudes.
From the Excliequer Roll of Extents,-^ No. u, and referring to tlie
fourth year of King lulwa'd VI. reitn,.^ the limits of Leix are very clearlv
ascertained at that period. Then it is said to ha\'e come under the
dominion of the King of England, although the aboriginal tril)es and
Anglo-Irish were its chief i:>o->essors. At that time, t^^e dominion of
Leix extended from Bierne'-;.u-r, near Cloegrennan to Conlan, and it
contained l)y estimate 24 miles in length ; while it reached from Cleco-
wricke, near Rosconnell to He\-ne, near the dominion of Iry, and it
was deemed to be 11 miles in width. We hnd noticed the circuit and
limits in tlie following form ; — From Biernegar, near and limiting with
the lordshi]) of Doulough to Cnockancorle, and thence to Klenyn, and
so to the water of Clonbroke ; tben to the lands of Lowhill, belonging to
St. Leger, in the County of Kilkenny ; thence to the lands of Rosconnell,
thence to Aghcore Ycoronegai' ; thence to Clomocodde ; thence to the
exterior gate of Cayslan Ynoi>ke (Watercastle), in Ossory, and thus
onward by a certain road to water called '" the stream" ; thence near
and adjoining the same wate?-. on to the water of Noyr ; thence to
ClonoghiU, then near a certain Itog on to Iskirekarry ; from that to the
water of the Gully, and so on by this same water to Gortnaclea ; thence
near the bog to the aforesaid .water of Xoer ; thence near the same
water to the lands of Ballycaishlan Offarille ; thence on to the lands
of Russhin ; thence to Conlan ; thence to Asknemakanagh ; thence
to Aghernagh ; thence to Lc TIatt ; thence to Bellaoige ; thence to
Rosnahail}', and so to Cashawsor ; then to ^.loneescawan ; thence to
Curkanecaryn ; then to Dirrenefforres, and so to the lands of Lcawhill ;
then to Monenenasse ; then to Le accre gear, otherwise called " the
short acre," in Irre ; then on to Bulladreit ; thence to Eyen, thus to
Aghkille ffynnen ; then to the aforesaid water ot Glaisheniarro, and so
3 See " Journal of the Kilkenny and * This document is now preserved in
South-east of Ireland Arclucoloi^ical the Kecord Office, Dubhn, and it has
Society," vol. iv., new series, 18OJ-O3, been exactly copied by the writer, who
part ii. Notes on a Facsunile of an yiives its interpretation in tlie text.
Ancient Mixp of Leix, Ollaly, Irry, ° On the loth day of December,
(Tanmalier, Ircgan, and Slieve .Mar^y, 1552, Walter Cowley, Supervisor Cleneial
preserved in the British Museum. to the Kin<j; in Ireland, gives a description
By Herbert F. ITore, Esq., pp. 361 to 363. of its boundaries.
ANN'ALS OF THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY, T5-I7-S. S2()
near the same water of Barro to Benr\ ; " tlieiici' to Rowstokke, and
from that place to Aghdove, and so near Le Moreiowe to the lands ol
Rosbranon ; from that place to the river Ikirrow afore-aid, and iheii
near the same water, on to Bicrnegarr already mentioned. I'>y reference to
the Ordnance Snrvey Townland Ma])s for tlie Queen's Tounty, and with
a local knowledge of existing names, it is easy to ascertain the boundaries
of Leix, at that time. In the fourth anil fifth yeai' of the reigns o' Kiirg
Philip and of Queen I\Iary, tliat territory was brought into a larger area,
and included within the Queen's C<iuntv, so culled in hnuoiu- of the
reigning sovereign.
In the beginning of King Edward VI. 's reign, the Lord Justice was
Sir Anthony St. Leger. He received reinforcements from lingland
in 1547 under the Captain (k'neral l-^.lward l-Jellmgham, who landeii
in Waterford in the summer of that year. Then an attack was made
on Leix and Offah'. There he remained lor hfteen days, plundermg,
spoiling, and burning even churches and monasteries. He also de.-itroyed
corn and cro])s. He then left a garrison of one hundred iiorsemen,
one hundred men armed v.'ith guns, one hnmlred with battle-a\e>,
and one hundred soldiers, who were possibly ]nke or bowmen, together
with their common attendants. He left them a suificiencv of lood
and of other necessaries. According to some account, the town ilui^
gairisoned was Athy.7
At tlie same time the Lord Chief Justirc's forces were engaged i:i
erecting a fortification in Leix, around Ladlnm-lviaganarh.^
In his attack on Leix he was joincil In' the Larl ot De-mond, with
a. numerous army, who had been reconciled to English rule, with othei-
Anglo-Irish and native Irish chiefs duinm the reign ol Henry \TII.,
and was gratified with the title (jf Lord 1Iil;1i Trea-^urer m the g(n-eni-
ment of Ireland. But. tiiis a])pointment .seems to have been merely
honorary, and not attended with any trust or contideni.-e. Althougli
ordered by the king to be admitted into the Iri^h Council, this does
not appear to have been complied with,'-' when the new priv}- council
of King Edward VI, was formed in 1547.'"
The O'Moores and O'Conors were now proclaimed as traiti)rs,
throughout Ireland, while their territories were conhscated and trans-
ferred to the king's use. Brian 0'C.onor lied into Connaught, to seek
assistance from some of its chiefs, and he remained there until the
following Christmas. The English, meantime, demolished the church
of Kiiloderhj', and with its materials, they built Uaingean Castle, on
the present site of Philipstown, in the King's County.
Dr. O'Donovan is of opinion, that the fort of Daingean, afterwards called
Philli]")stov.-n, was built on the occasion of Sir Anthony St. Legi;r's second
" It is doubtful to tlie writer, if tliii be CastlcbracI:. near Clonaslre, in thi.^
not Beury in the oriE;inal (locinient. barony, wab the place.
"Sir James Ware and Cox. Sir '•'" We lind the royal commissions and
William Brabazon is the name here instructions addressed, not to Desmond
given to the Lord Justice, although hut to J^r<ibazon. the vice-treasurer,
tlie " Annals of the Four Masters " call with the other ollicers of state." Rev.
him Anthony St. Leger. Dr. Thomas Ldand's " History of
"This has been translated "the Irelnid from the Invasion of Henry
bawn of the Hy-Regan," ;i tribe name 11.." vol. 11., book iii., chap, viii., p.
of the O'Dunnes. in the barony of
Tinehinch, Queen's County. Dr.
1 88.
!•' lie ascended the throne on Frida^
OT')onovan thinks it probable, that the 28th of January, a.d. 1547.
430 HISTORY OF THE QUEEN S COUNTY,
incursion into Offaly to subdue O'Conor Faly, and tliat lie there left the
strong garrison, to which allusion has been made. In the course of the year
1547, O'Conor and O'jMoore, who had crossed the Shannon, were met by
some of their soiis, at Ath-Croich, a ford on this river, near Shannon
Harbour.^' The chiefs had collected numerous forces for the purpose
ot wreaking vengeance on the English, who now possessed their patri-
monial lands. These forces they led into Leinster, but they seem to
have been insufficient for the work before them. For the English ]iower
and jurisdiction so much prevailed, at the tim^, that no person dared
to give food or protection to these outlawed chieftains.
O'jMoore, with the sons of Cahir O'Conor, on their return from
Connaught, made an irruption into the County of Kildare. Here they
burned and plundered the greater part of the Eustaces' territory. At
length, the Lord Justice overtook them, when a battle ensued. The Ir'i^h
were defeated on this occasion and with a loss of 200 foot soldiers. Soon
afterwards, having been abandoned by their adherents, GioUa Patrick
O'Moine and Brian O'Conor offered to make submission to the English,
upon their own terms. They were guaranteed protection by Francis Brian,
an Englishman, who married the Countess Dowager of Ormond. He was
created IMarshall of Ireland, and Governor of the Counties of Kilkenny and
Tippcrarv. AVith this lieutenant the chiefs went over to "'England, and
thus ]ilaced themselves at the mercy of King Edward VI., in 1548.
Another account has it that they consented to attend Sir Anthony Saint
Leger into England.^- On the 12th of April, 1548, in letters ^-^ to the
Mayers of Galway and of Limerick, his recall is announced, Sir Edward
Beliyngham, knight, and one of the gentlemen of the Privy Cliamber
being appointed by King Edward VI., to succeed as Lord Deputy over
Ireland. M Notwithstanding the promiseb made to the chiels, die only
favour granted was, that they were not brought to immediate execution.
Thev were committed to prison, and their lands were declared to be
forfeited to the Crown. These were even c^ranted to the persons through
whose counsel they had surrendered. ^"^ The monarch gave their patri-
monial inheritance of Leix and Offaly to Lieutenant Francis Brian,
and to his kinsmen. These erected a large fort or castle located at the
(^imixi, now the town of IMaryborough in Leix, and enlarged and
strengthened the fort which had been already built at Daingean, now
. Philipstown, in Offaly. ^^ The new ]i(jssessors ])rocceded to let the
lands at rents to the English and Irish, as if they had been their own
lawful and patrimonial inheritance. The lollowers of the rightful and
original proprietors, O'Moore and O'Conor, were banished from their old
habitations, with all their adherents and descendants. l7
11 See "Tribes and Customs of liy- ^^ Seo Ivjv. rhoinas Lelaml's " His-
i\Iany." Editetl by Dr. O'Donovan, n. tory oi Ireland Ironi the Invasion of
p. 5. Henry II.," vol. Ji., book iii., chap, vin.,
'-See Rev. Dr. Leland's "History pp. iSq, lyo.
of Ireland froni the Rei;-;n of Henry 11.," "'What the 1-hi^hsh and An^lo-Insli
voL ii., l)ook ni., chap, viii., p. 1S9. writers call the h'ort of Leix is termed
'■' Tliese letters were written from Champa by the Irish annalists. Wh^tthe
Greenwich. Irish c.dl Daingean in Ui Fail-;a', t!r.'
'* See " Calendar of the State Papers J'hiLjlish writers name " the i'ort of
relating to Ireland, of the Kei,i,'ns of I'ahi;."
Henry VIII., Edward VI., Mary, and ' ^ See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of
Elizabeth, i5<-'9-i573-" Edited by the Four .Masters,' vol. v., pp. I4(;4 to
H.Clautle JIannlton, Esq., E.S..\., p. . i ;i i;;, and 1 300, j 507, with correspondia;;
79. notes.
ANNALS OF THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY, I547-S. 4-;i
The heroic old cliicflain of T.eix, Giolla Patrick (3'Moore, did not lou'^
survive his misfortunes, for he died suddenly in a.d. 1548. Were it not for
the power of the palesnien in Ireland at the time — ^the Four Master^;
]iathetically remark — his death would have hcen a lamentable loss for
ins countrymen. 'S
In this year, also, there is reference in the State papers to a letter,
written from Kildare, by Francis Cosby, who was afterwards noted for
his contests with the O'Moores, ^'-^
St. Leger adduces, as an instance in proof of the decadence of
power among the Irish chiefs, that, " Ould O'More would ride evcrie
day in the week with mot) horseuK-n than all O'More couutrie is now
hablc to make." The Lord Justice made proclamation and inviteil
the sub-chieltains of Offaly, viz., the O'Demnseys, O'Dunnes,
OTIennessys, &c., to come into the territory, and to abandon their
chief, O'Conor. On this condition, he offered them pardon, and the
chiefs accordingly returned. But not long afterwards, the i-higlish
acted treacherously towards them, and on returning to Offaly, the
invaders deprived them of several thousand head of cattle.-"
After the death of O'Moore, a fruitless attempt to esca])e by O'Conor
Faly only made his confinement the stricter and more severe. Those
sons of O'Conor, with the kinsmen and followers of the^chiefs of Lei.x and
Offaly, who were most likely to revive their claims, were persuaded
to join the king's army, as a war had broken out between the English,
the French, and the Scots. To sup]:)ly their immediate necessities and
probably under the pressure of their forlorn circumstances, Donougli, the
son of O'Conor F^aly, with a numerous muster of the kerns of Leinster and
of Meath, went over to England, and thus they were mo^t conveniently
banished from their patrimonial inheritances. The forces of Sir Edward
Bellingham easily intimidated others, or chastised their rash attempts.
Thus, lie had the sole honour of adding two considerable districts to tlie
English territories. He is said to have been the first, for several ages,
who had enlarged the borders of the Pale in Ireland. For his reward,
the honour of knighthood was conferred, and also the government of
Ireland, which he exercised for some time, l)ut it continued in a per-
petual state of agitation.-^
In the beginning of the rei.uai of King Edwanl Vf.-- Bellingham
had obtained leave from the English Privy Council '^i to return to l-Ingland,
but as the O'Conors and other Irish chiefs were still tLirl)ulen.t, this
permission was withdrawn. -4
18 See Dr. O'Donuvj.u's "Annals of --'He siiccccde;! to the throne on
the Four Masters," vol. v.. pp. 151J, I'li'lay, the jSUi Janujrv, 1547. t't<^
1 51 3. (late of his lathi.T's death. See Sir
''-•See "Historical Notes," compiled Harris Nicholas' " Chion(jloc;y of His-
Iw F. S. Thomas, vol. iii., p. 1121. tory," p. ^^4.
The fore,2;oin;; statement is made in -' In a letter dated Hamilton Court,
reference to .MSS. contained in State October :;4th, 1547.
Paper Office. -' in a letter hom the ICn-li-.h Privv
^" This treacherons conduct ot tlie Council to the Irish T^ord-deputy and
English is not mentioned by Sir James Council, dated trom St)mi.'r-^et-place,
Ware, by Cox, by Leland, or by any of December ist, 1547. See " Calendar of
the modern Irish historians. State Papers relatinj^' to Ireland, of
21 See Rev. Dr. Thomas Leland's the reigns ot Henry VHL, Edwartl VI.,
" History of Ireland from the Invasion Mary and Elizabeth, 1 500-1 573."
of Henry TI.," vol. ii., book iii., chap. Edited bv Hans Claude Hamilton,
vui., p. 190. , Esq., F.S..\., p. 78.
43- HISTORY OF THE QUEEN S COUNTY.
Before the middle of the i6th century, in a letter -s from Robert
Dillon to the Lord Deputy Beliyngham, a pass in Leix is described as
three miles long, and extending through a forest of great timber, which
was mingled with hazel.-** Such a road, serving the purposes of the natives
for passage, was easily converted into a fortified defile, in case their country
liad been invaded. Fifty years subsequently, Owny Mac Rcry O'More
bravely defended such a fastness, afterwards called the " Pass of
Plumes," against RolKut Devereux, Earl of Essex, at the head of his
powerful invading forces.
CHAPTER XIIT. — Annals of the Sixteenth Century, 1549-1552.
In the beginning of Edward VI. 's reign, Sir Anthony St. Ledger was
Lord Deputy. He, in conjunction with Bellingham, Captain-General —
who had landed at Waterford about mid-summer 1547 — undertook the
iinal conquest of Leix. The pretence was that Patrick O'Moore and Brian
(VConnor had committed great devastation. Two hundred of these chiefs'
followers having been killed, it was not difficult to subdue the other
chiefs, owing to their own dissensions. That these dissensions were
fomented l>y their avaricious enemies, who coveted their possessions,
and thought this the best way to secure them, is now very well known
from the Stote Records. From these same it is also known how com-
])letely successful they were. It is tc be borne in mind that the State
Papers give only "one side" of the question, as will be evident from
tlie following : — ■
A printed Inquisition * gives us to understand, how much discord
])revailed among members, and even brothers, of the O'Moore family. '^
It is set down in this record, that Rory O'TsIcre had been appointed
captain of Leix,3 and of course in the English interest. Upon a certain
controversev ]iending betwixt this ca])tain and his brother Patrick,
also called "(^lilla Patrick O'More, the latter for his maintenances pro-
cured a great number of the O'Conors to invade the country of Leix.
This district the confederates are said to liave spoiled. The atoresaid
Rory resisting them in defence of the trust committed to him was slain
in a place within this district. The locality where this occurred is said
to have been called Killnesperokye.
Here are some other instances of the same unhappy dissensions :
Donall O'Brien, Earl of Thomond, led a hosting into Leinster in
1553. He held a conference with the English at the fort of Leix. This
was in Irish Port-Laoighise, by which denomination the town ol Mary-
borough is even yet traditionally remembered. He ])artcd Ircma the
garrison in jieace, and he took hostages from O'Carroll, as ])ledges for
the observance of peace.4
In the year 1554, William Odhar O'Carroll, the descendant of
Mulrouy O'Carroll/and Connell Oge O'More. slew Calvagh O'Carroll. the
-^ Dated October 15th, 1548, and ^ See Inquisitions I.agenia Com,
written Ironi Kilkenny West, Re,t;ine, 9th Elizabeth.
-'' See " Calendar of the State Papers - See INIorrni's " Calendar of Patent
re'.itinf,' to Ireland, of the reigns of I\olls," vol. i., p. 505.
Henry VIII., luhvard VI., Mary and -He was so appointed in the thirty-
Ivlizabcth, i^oQ-iq/s," preserved ni the fourth year of Henry VIII.
State Paper I )e]\irtinent of her Majesty's '^ See Dr. O' Donovan's" Annals of the
Public Record Ollice. Edited by Hans Four Masters," vol. v., pp. IS3'J»
("laude Hamilton, Esq. k.s.a.cVc, pp. 89-90, 1531.
AN'N'AT.S OF THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY, i54Q-It52. 4;',;
son of Donough, in requital of the treacherous condu'^t he h:id practised
some time before, towards Teige Caech O'Carroll, Lord of Ely. The
brother cf Calvas^h, named Teij^e Mac Donough, was slain. William
Odhar was styled O'Carroll in his place. ^
In 1549, the Viceroy was desired to displace from the chieftainry
of Leix Rory Caech O'Mcore. In his autobiography, Sir Ilenry Sydney
mentions, that the chief Rory Caech or "the one-eyed," married a daughter
of Piers Earl of Ormond.'' According to Lodge's Peerage, however, he
married Margaret, daughter to Thomas Butler, third son of Earl Piers.
By this marriage his issue appears to have been Rory Oge (the famous
insurgent leader, who was killed in 157S), Keadagh, and Calvagh, or the
Callogh, born after his father's death.
The vast wealth and extent of the possessions of the great O'More
family, which caused their being ever in turmoil until finally conquered,
mav be learned from the following taken from the State records :
In an Inquisition taken at Maryborough, on the 17th of June, and in
the ninth year of Queen Elizabeth's reign, (a.d. 1567) we find it stated,
that Rorye O'More, 7 held at the time of his death the following possessions,
viz., the town of Stradbally with the ap]nu'tenances, worth to him
yearly /^lo. In right and belonging to his captainship of Leix, the
customs, duties, and profits were worth £100 every year. Of his own
proper inheritance, he possessed also the townlands Derryjsroke and the
great wood, with the appurtenances, Derryloughcomer, both the
CoUenaghs — CoUenaghe and CoUenaghmore, — Dysartenys, Carrigene-
]:)arkey, Ballyknockane, Graignehoyc, and the whole parish of TuUoryne,^
which land was worth to him yearly three score and ten marks lawful
money of Ireland. The same Rory was also possessed of the lands in
Swyng, that is to say, the temporalities of Tymoke, also called Farrene-
priore, Moynerath, Killegan, Ballcnegall, Derrin-Roye, Dromnyne,
Moyane, Rathkrehyn, and Garaymading, but what estate he had therein
the jury did not discover. Moreover he had the use and profits of the
Abbey or Monastery of Stradbally and of the Abbey of Leix, with their
appurtenances. Also, at the time of his death, he held in mortgage and
in his own possession, the following townships : viz., Ballyadam, in
mortgage with the said Rory from Conyll iMcRossyn for three score
kyne, Ballentobrid with the said Rory's father Conyll McMallaghlen,
from Farganinym O'Kelly. for three score kyne more, and Ballyta-sneye
from the said Fargananym,for twenty kyne, and Kilclery from Fargananym
O'Kelly, aforesaid for sixteen marks, and also twenty acres in Ballecaslane-
galen from Conill McRorye McNeyle for forty marks. He also had the
fourth part of Colt from Gilpatrick O'Doran, in mortgage for twenty
kine. The said Rory's father had BcUefenan from Gilpatrick McGillegyn
and Donoghliagh I\IcGilleyn for forty marks, and Kyltybriny from David
McArt O'More for forty and two kine, and Clone in Clenmalyre from
Nycll O'Dowlin for three score kyne, and Killcnye from Macgilpatncke,
that now is, for nine score marks, Tully from Fargananym O'Kelly
° See Dr. O'Donovaii's " Annals of ''lie had hceii appointed Captain of
the Four Masters," voh v., pp. 153-I, Leix, and in an ctlort to prevent his
1535. brother Patrick, aiiled by the O'Conors,
•* The same statement is made in the from despoihng the! country, he was
Carew MSS.,' p. 635, foho iioa, where killed at a place called Ivillnesperokye.
two sons, Callogh and Rory Oge. are « Probably an incorrect rendering lor
mentioned as issue of this alliance. Tullomoy.
2 F
434 iiisTOUY OF Tiin: oi'f.kni'r corxiv.
aforesaid, in inortQ-agc with tlic saifl Kory lor ten niaiks an..] a hall,
Kileronane Irom Neyil JMcRossye ?kIeXcvle for t\venl\- k\-ni', and (d\ii;.;-
ne^rinotan and Dowgliill from (dljiatriek McRosvnt' MeXeile for tliirty
kyne. Tlie said ]vory'.s father liad also from CaroU McTeig, vicar of Galen;'
Graig in Gallin For twenty kync The said Rory had of Lysagn JMcXeylc,
Bollenehenyl)anye for forty marl^s, and Dysartgalen and Bollebeg from
Rorye McLcyse for forty k\'ne. The said Rory's father had Knockard-
gorrye from Caroll McNeyll for forty kyne, and Ivossogormane from
Nyeil McRorye for twenty kyne. The said Rory had Kilmalronv in
mortgage lor six marks, and two niilcli kvne from Morhertach ]McOnhvu
McKedy, and Moyn-Kath for forty nrarks from Dermod McDavid,
and Kilmeshian from tlu- Ivothes of Kilkenny for tour sc(M"e kyne. The
said Rory's father had in mortgage i\h)\-any from James McTeig, and
Kilgeysyn fi"om Meill ]Mc [ |."* lie alst) had Ballentley
from Kedagh McFerish, the nioyte or halfyndell of Bellarony from R<jryc
McOnsye. The said Rory's father had Clonheyn in mortgage from'
]\lalaghlin O'More's sons, and for what the jury knew not ; all of which
mortgages, as well obtained by himself as by his father Conell McMal-
aghlin, tlie same R(M"v had at the time of his death in quiet possejssion.
The aforesaid lands were annexed to the Crown by an Act of
Parliament. ^^
Returning from this digression to consider the fate of the^e possessions
of O'Moore, we find that Bellingham, the Deputy, began the conquest
of Leix and Ofialy l)y ex]xdling the native liorscmen and woodkcrne,
substituting as many English colonists as he thought could hold their
own against tlie natives. For their protection he bu.ilt the Fort of Leix,
or as it was afterwards called, " the Gu)vern(M"," and al.^o " the Protector,"
in honour of the Duke of Somerset. Finally it was denominated
" ^Maryborough " in the reign of Queen ^hiry. Amongst the families
introduced by Somerset, as English settlers, were the Cosbys, the
Bretons, the Man\\'arings, and the IM'Donnells.
For the maintenance of the said Fort Protector, it is noted in tlie
State Papers Vol. CXXV. that during the reign of Edward VI. that
there was a cess of wheat and malt, 2000 pecks each, and 400 fat beeves.
But not withstanding the forts and precautions otherwise, to j^rotcct
the spoilers, their tenure was very precariou.s. As often as not, the settlers
had to win possessicn of tlieir allotted sjwils with the sword. Bellingham
himself, whom the "Reformed" Archbishoj) of Cashel assured the
Protector, " opened the very gate of the real reformation," " ever wore
his harness and so chci all those he liked." Forays were the order of the
day. Rcjirisals were ever being sought and taken by both sides. The
chiefs, driven to bay, were forced into acknowdedging the invader, and,
oftentimes, to retain their possessions, consented to hold them from
the Crown, which neither satisfied their own followers nor the greedy
fortune hunters. The following were some of these :
In the earlier part of the sixteenth century, Henry Wyse seems to
have tenanted the castle of Ballyknockan, in Leix. He is described as a
gentleman, and Captain of " the Fort of Lex," a.d. 1552, when liis
0 Now Dysert-Gallcn. Laguiua, Com, Kuginc, ii<2b.
'u Illegible 111 the original rccor^l. lol.
11 See " ln<niisitioniim in Orhcio '- See iMuirin's " ("alcndar of the
Rotulorum CancclUui.v Ililicrni.c Patent and Close Rolls of Chancery,"
asbervataruni, Kcpertonum," vol. 1., vol. 1., p. 280. Dublin, iSOi, i;\u.
ANNALS OF THE SIXTEENTH CENTTRY, 1553-155/. 455
pardon is j^loccd on record. i- The Council of Eu'^Iand recommended
a lease to Thomas Jacoli, his heirs ond ;LS>igns, fur 21 years, " of the
manor of Stradbalhe, Funhowsc and demesnes, willi tlicir a)i;)urtenance?,
u])on a reasonable survey taken Ijy his .Ahijesfy's oi'ticr.s," in the
reign of Edward VL, a.d. 1550.'^ In 1550, (icrjld Aylmer, Sir John
Travers, and others oifercd to take over the plundered lands of Leix,
Irry, Slewmarge, with other ])o>scssions u. the O'Morcs. Those
api)licants alleged that their lands were thru wholly w;iste ; and, to
obtain possession, they ollered to pay an annual rent uf /JOoo, with one
nest of goshawks,^ ^ then much used in the favcnnate and fashionable
open-air amusement of hawking. The year ensuing, Sir James Croft
became Lord-Deputy, and he greatly advanced the work of colonisation
in Leix.
The accession of Edward VI. re-awakened the expectations of suitors
for church lands, especially in Ireland. The Protector Somerset, the
"Dowager Countess of Ormond, and the young Baron of Upper-Ossory —
the King's whipping boy — were all solicitors at one and the same time,
for the rich abbey of Leix. The consignment to colonists contains the
names of the Earl of Kildare, Captain Portas, Harpoole, John Thomas,
Eustace (brother to Viscount Baltinglass), Connell Oge O'More, and the
rest o.' the 0'I\Iores, Murtough U'Dowlyn, Robert "o'Faliy, Turlough
M'Cabe.
CHAPTER XIV. — Annals of the Sixteenth Century,
1555-1557-
The policy of all the English sovereigns and of all their deputies and
re]M"escntatives was the same, namely, to despoil the nati\'es and enrich
their English subjects, at the ex])ense of the foimer. By \vhatever
name the process might be called the thing itself was always the same.
Hence in studying these State Papers, the words " settlement,"
" quieting," " appeasing," " establishing law," " ])ursiiing and ])unishing
rebels, outlaws, disaffected," etc., etc., are nearly all synonymous, i.e.,
ih'spoiHii'^ ; and, if objection be made, extermin;iting. Such op})osition
is designated, disaffection, disorder, outlawrv. aiul of course rebellion.
The Catholic Queen Mary was hardly any better than I'^lizabeth in
pandering to the insatiable greed of the freebo(jt.ers. The following is
evidence of this :
Soon after the accession of Queen Mary, 1553, to the throne of
England,' she sent mstructions - to the Lord Deputy Sir Anthony
Sentleger and others of the Council for the Cnn-ernment of Ireland.
Among other matters, l.)e>ides an injunction to lestore the old religion,
13 See Morrill's "Calendar ol the (Hiecn Mary tlicT on the 17th of Xov-
Patcnt and Close Rolls of Chancery einlnT, 5 '.ind o I'lulip and .Mar\',
in Ireland," vol. i., ]). J.^i. i;:S.
1* See printed "Calendars of Stale -This document has no date, but it
Papers." v.as prubaMy drawn up 111 October,
1 On the 6th of July, 1553. On her 1553. See' " Ca!en<lar of the State
marriage with Philip, Kin.^ of Spain, Papers relatin;,' to Ireland of the reigns
on the 25th of Jnlv, 155^, it became of Henry X'lll., Edward \'I., Hilary, and
the lirst day <.f the Iirsi and securd lilizabetn." lulited by Hans Claut'.e
year 01 the reign of Philip and 2*lary Hamilton, Esq., E.S.A., p. 132.
436 ITTSTORV OF THE OUEKX'S COUNTY.
and to reduce Lcinster, he was informed that lands in Leix and Offaley
were to be granted in fee-simple, and that garrisons were to be reduced
to 500 men. In the ]:)eginning of Queen Mary's reign, the ()' Mores
attacked the English planted by Bellingham and Sir James Croft in
their country, and wc are told, that they put man, woman, and child to
the sword, razing their castles, and Ijurnin^; everything to the
gates of Dublin. .5 About the year 1555, it had been pro])oscd to
commit the Fort of Leix to Ormond, and that of Offaley to Kildare.-t On
the 30th of September, 1556, the I^rivy Council in England wrote
to Thomas Radeclyff Lord Fitzwautcr the Lord Deputy conveying the
Queen's thanks for his conduct in the submission of the O'Mores,
O'Conors, O'Tooles and others. 5 During the year 1556, orders were
issued for the plantation and settlement of Leix as an English colony.
The country was to be divided between the English and the Irish. For
the 0']\Iores all the country beyond the bog was ])r()vided. Each chief
was to nominate those of his sept for whom lie was to be held
responsible. The tenants were to hold their lands of the Fort, and should
answer the laws of the realm as the English did. The freeholders were
to cause their children to learn to speak English. They were obliged to
keep open the fords, to destroy the fastnesses, and to cut the passes.
None of them were to marry or foster with any but those of English
blood, without license of the Deputy and under his handwriting, upon
pain of forfeiting their estates. Orders were issued, likewise, for the
English that were to colonise Leix. They were required to build in
every town one church within three years.''
The assignment of Lei:c to the new colonists, was made in the year
1556.7 At that date, a castle was erected on the site of O'Conor's
fortalice, known as " Dengin." The royal arms of England, with the
date 1556, were sculptured on it. Captain Portas — and from him was
probably named the " C. (castle) Porter " marked on the ancient ma]:) ^
— was one of the consignees appointed that year.
The fort of Maryborough was garrisoned for the first tim^
in 1558 ; and, from this year to 1765, the keepers are to be found
recorded, in an English manuscript, liclonging to the Royal Irish
Academy. 9
The names of the consignees '" of the lands of Leix are thus dis-
tinguished : — The Earl of Kildare, Mr. Treasurer for himself and his
band, Captain Williamson, Thomas Brown, servant to the Dejnity ;
Shute, Captain Girton, Masterson, Hugh Jones, who had a farm there
before; John Glesters, Lippiat, Ca])tain Kandol])h, John Thomas, who
liath ever kept his charge ; Captain Portas, Manwaring, William Cant-
well ; Malbie and Harjioole,'' two gentlemen that can serve, and the
one hath had charge ; Donnell ■ M'Shane, Dunkerley, Hopwood,
Murrough O'Dowlyn, Robert O'Fahy, Turlough M'Cabe, Felim M'NeiU
Boy, Eustace, brother to the Viscount Baltinglass ; Connell Oge O'More,
ancl the rest of the O'Mores. To this document is a]ipended a memoran-
^ Letter of Lord Deputy Sussex ami ** Constrncteil during the reiL^n of
Connell to the king and queen, April Oueen Ehzabetli.
4th, 1557. ^ The manuscript is classed No. 26, 6,
* See -ibid., p. 133. and at p. 42 this account may be seen.
^ See ibid., p. 134. '"See ibid., pp. 134, 135.
^ See ibid., p. 134. *' Few descendants, bearing the fore-
^ See the printed '■ Calenders of State going names, are now to be found
Papers." ^ within the bounds of ancient Lei\.
ANXAT.S OF THR SIXTF.F.NTH CFVTITRV, 155,'^- 1557. 437
diim. t1iat there will be j^lanted in sort above-written lOo men, English
subjects in that one country, besides the O'Mores.
Although the official accounts make hardly any mention of the
cruelties inllicted on the inhabitants, some shocking episodes filter
through, that are typical ot a large class of which nothing further will
ever be known, as in the ceaseless warring no native writings could be
preserved, if, indeed, they were ever made. The following is a
sample :
•In 1556, Connell Oge O'More obtained the ]-)romise of a jiatent.
This very same year, liowever, he was taken prisoner by the Lord
Justice for lands in Leix.'- Ware states, that in the year 1557, this Conall
was sentenced to death as a stubborn rebel, and that lu; was executed at
Leighlin Bridge. Besides, it is stated, that Donnell, son of Laoighseach
or Lewis O'lMore, Lord of Sliabh Mairge, had been slain by Master Sili
and the English. '3 However, it should be known, that the foulest treachery
had been practised upon Conall Oge O'More, " chief ot his name " ; for
his fathcr-indaw, Viscount Mountgarrett, had invited Conall to his
house. Afterwards Mountgarrett sent the Leix chieftain to Captain
Heron, who was governor of Carlow. Without any trial, that
commandant executed his captive. '-i
In the reign of Queen Mary, Thomas Radcliffe, Earl of Sussex, Lord
Deputy, broke and subdued the O' Mores and XD'Connors.'-^ He
reduced the territories of Leix and Offaly to shire-ground, naming the
former Queen's, and the latter King's County.'*^
That^'well known " Act for the Deposition of Leix and Offalie " is
dated the 3rd and 4th of Philip and }>\.i':v, ad. 1556, chapter ii. It is
an act entitling the king and queen to L^ i ., Slcwmarge, Irry, Glinmaliry,
and Offaily, and for making them shire grounds. The fort in Leix is
named Maryborough, and the one in Offaly, Philipstown. The Irish
statutes of the third and fourth of Philip and I\L\ry have enactments
for the better disposition of the districts of Leix and Offaly, which were
described as countries recovered from the rebellious Irish inhabitonts.
Lord Sussex was empowered to grant estates, or leases in them, at his
pleasure, and at such rents as he should deem expedient. '7 By another
act, these and some adjacent districts were for ever vested in the Crown,
and converted into shiredand.'^
On the 17th of November, 1556, the queen sent articles to the Lord
Deputy for consideration ; and thanking her for these letters, Thomas
Radeclyff Lord Fitzwauter replies from Leighlin on the 2nd of January,
1557. He gives there an account of his late transactions in Offaley, when
he brought all the Irish lords under bonds of Slanty. It appears that at
the Dingan, on the 4th of October and on the 15th of December, Rory
and Donough O'Conor and other gentlemen of Offaley, surrendered all
title to their lands, in the presence of the Lord Deputy, and submitted
12 See Dr. O'Douovan's " Annals of Societv, vol. ii. " A Slaiute of the
the Four Masters," vol. v., pp. 1542- fortieth year of Jvin- Eilwaal^ JII.,
1543.
enacted ni a Parliament held
13 See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of Kilkenny. a.d. 1367," edited by
the Four Masters" vol. v., pp. 1546- James irarduiian, .M.R.T.A. u. (w),
1547, and nn. (y. z.) P- 75-
"i^Such was the statement of Shane '"Sir John Davies, p. 1S5.
O'Neill, in 1561. 1^ See Rev. Dr. Leland's " History of
13 See " Tracts relating to Ireland," Ireland," cluip. vii.
printed for the Irish Arclucolpgical ^"^ See ibr!., chap. viii.
438 HISTORY OF THE OUEEX's COUNTY.
to the queen, as also giving pledges.'^ At this time tlie O' Mores snh-
mitted hkewise, and without conditions, as also promising obedience and
loyalty. He then declares, that he is about to plant Leix, Offaly,
Slewmarge, Irry, and Glenmalyrc. On the 25th of February, he write;
from Dublin, tliat the O'Conors refused to a})pear, and that he had
proclaimed war against them. He declares, likewise, that the Earl of
Kildare, the Baron of Delvin, O'Molloy, and Mageoghegan, should
follow the Slanty to the uttermost. On the 4th of April, he observes
in a letter, that the O'Morcs who inhabit Leix are quiet. This, however,
was but the calm which precedes the storm. On the 1st of June, 1557,
the king and (|ueen write to Lord Dej^uty Sussex, approving of the order
taken by him lor bestowing the lands of Offaley. It apears that two
drafts of an oct for the assuring of Leix and Offaly had been lost or
embezzled, and a third draft was sent June 2jrd to the Lord Deputy
Sussex, with a request that he should make earnest search to know
through whose fault the two former drafts had been lost.-"
After harvest in 1557, fhe natives expelled from the confiscated
countries overran them. They destroyed and burnt e\'erything, ex-
cepting the two forts.t!! In the year following, during the month of
June, they came in greater force than ever. On the 13th of July, 1558,
Queen Mary had sanctioned the appointment of Captain Francis Cosby,
to be general of the Irish kerne,-- he liad contrived to organise in defence
of his possessions in Leix. This appointment is to be found among the
manuscripts preserved in the State Papers Oflice, in London. He was
appointed moreover victualler of Leix ; and he was also constituted
ward of Monester-Even, which was under his charge.'^3 The 0' Mores
now mustered a force to attack Fort Protector, but this band was re-
l)ulsed by Radcliffe and Francis Cosby.
In a letter of the Lord Deputy Sussex =4 we arc informed, that the
O'Morcs and O'Conors cost Henry VIII. and Edward VL £100,000
sterling — a very large sum in those days. It had been propt)sed. to
make shirelaud of the countries of Lex and Offaly, so that men there
might have slates of inheritance by copyhold or fee-farm, and that both
their forts should be erected into market towns. It was also suggested,
that if other former devices were put in execution, the king's profit sliouhl
much increase, while the countries should be well inliabitated and
manured, and his grace's charges should be diminished.- 5
^^ The particulars of this submission Archbishop of York and Lord Chancellor,
are more fully set forth, in the" Calendar and to the Privy Council in Londt_.n.
of the Carew Manuscripts, preserved in November 17th, 1557, when giving an
the Archiepiscopal Library at Lambeth, account of the Scots disturbing; the
1515-1574." edited by J. S. Brewer, North, states also that the O'.Mores and
M.A., and William Bullen, Esq. Pro- O'Conors " hathe distroit and burned
ceedings of the Dcinity and Privy Lexe and Afayle sawing certain forts."
Council at Dublin, 25111 February, 155O. -- See " Historical Notes," conipikd
No. 208, pp. 262 to 264. by F. S. Thomas, vol. iii., j). 1121.
-"The draft of an Act of Parliament "^According to a letter in the State
for the well-disposing and leasing of the Papers, and dated last of February
lands of Leix, Slewmarge, Ollaley, Irry, A.n. 1 360-1.
antl Glynmalyry. It is the hrst in the -' Dated April 4th, i vv •
printed statutes, and the seventh on the 25 5^^ " Calendar of the Carew Maiiu-
roll, 3 and 4. Philip and Mary. scrii^ts, preserved in the Arcluepiscnj'.d
-1 George Dowtlall, Archbishop of Ar- library at Lambeth, 1315-1574." I-^htt-d
magh and Primate of all In-land, writing by J. S. Brewer, M..\., and Will-.uii
Iroiu Terinonteckin to Nicholas Heath, Bullen, Esq., I\Iay 8th, 1853, No. jlv.
ANNAT.S OF THE SIXTEHNTFI CFXTl'RV, T.t53-T557 439
A_ short and only very inaaeqiuile account of the (hjhig.. on tlie other
side IS gleaned from the Annals of the Four Masters. At a.d. 1557
the kdhni,' of O'Conor Fajy's hosta-es, and the plunderin- of OltVlv'
are recorded: "It was -rievous to the Irish," observe" the Four
Masters, "that then- Ireeborn nolile eliicftains should be overtaken
by such an evi! destiny, hut they could not ahnrd them any assistance."
Thus, m 1557, Irish acts were ix^ssed for the disi)osition of Leix and
Otfoly,':6 ^vlnle the O'.Mores or O'Moores inhabited Leix.^7 These and
smidar outrages soon kindled a fierce war between the En-dish and Irisli
m Lemster. The O'Mores, the O'Conors Falv, the (rCarr(,ls of Ely,
and the O'Molloys, were soon in arms. From tlie Shannon to the Dublin
Mountains ; from Slievc Bloom and the Xore to the Southren shore
of Cork ; the Irish clans were in motion, and. hred with a sen>e of tlie
wrongs and treachery practised upon them, they brought devastation
and slaughter on their foes. It would be impobsible,' say the Four
Masters, to enumerate the number of preys, plunders, and slaughters
committed by them, during the year 1557. The Lord Justice as signally
distinguished himself by the amount of destruction he caused m scekin-
to overcome those irrepressible enemies.-^ . "^
State of Ireland ; •' The copy of the l^,ook vol. i. p. .,0,. Also " Lilu,r Munernm
sent from Sir J honias Cnsake, Lord Jtil.rriUf" 1. ii^ *
aKincellor ot Ireland, to the Dnke of -' Sec State Papers, at 4th \prU icc?
Northumheran-l .s Grace for the j^resent -"* See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of
^^'^^'e ""^ -'"'■'=:"'l. ,}' -■^'- th,. Fonr Masters" vol. v., po. i ^ ;6 to
Cox's " History of Ireland," 1350 and nn. (a. b. c. d'. e.'f. g.' h.'
1.).
End of \'oi,. 1.
JAN 7 5
N. MANCHESTER,
INDIANA